Trump’s $45M Parade Crowd Leaves Internet In Disbelief—‘That’s It?’
Hundreds of thousands of people attended a $45 million military parade to commemorate the president’s birthday, but some suspect something more.
On Saturday, June 14, Donald Trump celebrated his 79th birthday by going to a military parade in Washington, DC, honouring the US Army’s 250th anniversary.
Along with First Lady Melania Trump, his family, Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth, and other officials, Trump walked out to “Hail to the Chief” and “Happy Birthday.”
With tanks and planes from various decades, parachuters from the sky, and over 6,000 uniformed soldiers in period attire patrolling the capital, the military’s might was fully on exhibit throughout the parade.Source: Flickr
From the Revolutionary War’s Battle of Lexington until the present, the parade illuminated the history of the American Army.
The historic event occurs because American forces haven’t assembled in such huge numbers since 1991, during the Gulf War.
The president addressed the crowd and military personnel at the end of the parade in an eight-minute-long speech, saying in part, “Every other country celebrates their victories. It’s about time America did too.”
“We’re the hottest country in the world right now,” he added. “If you threaten the American people, our soldiers are coming for you.”
Trump and the guests were then treated to a spectacular fireworks show over the Tidal Basin.
‘Despite the danger of rain,’ more than 250,000 ‘patriots showed up’ to support the cause, said White House communications director Steven Cheung.
However, reports from the Associated Press, the New York Times, and Fox News indicate that the crowd was significantly smaller, leading many to assume that figure has been greatly exaggerated based on parade goers and photos.
Since then, dozens have criticised what they call a low turnout on social media.
“Display of military power, observed Bro.” On Twitter, someone said, “I see lawn chairs and a Bluetooth speaker.” “It looks like a recruiting booth a Six Flags.”
“More people IN the parade than AT the parade,” another person remarked.
Others said the spectacle, estimated to cost between $25 million and $45 million, was a waste of money and that they felt bad for the military troops.
“Military parades are a waste. I want our troops to be allowed to do their jobs, not be paraded around for trump’s birthday,” a third penned.
The momentous day arrived as Trump claimed that his previous administration had prevented him from having a parade since his first term as president in 2017.
The event was also affected by protesters who deliberately organized a clash with the celebration, holding a flagship march in Philadelphia to “draw a clear contrast between our people-powered movement and the costly, wasteful, and un-American birthday parade in Washington,” according to the “No Kings” demonstrators as per The Independent.
On Saturday, protesters marched through US cities against Trump’s purported authoritarian policies, which include his harsh deportation sweeps.
Cheung made fun of the protesters on Twitter, ironically referring to it as a “utter failure with minuscule attendance” while Trump promised to confront them with a “very big force” prior to the parade.
“It is sad Democrats and liberals would rather support criminals and illegals instead of celebrating the 250th anniversary of our great U.S. Army and Flag Day. But many more Americans are commemorating our brave military men and women who have given the ultimate sacrifice and who those continue to serve our country,” he wrote.