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Trump’s Controversial $50M Military Parade Had Low Attendance & Many Empty Seats
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On Saturday, President Donald Trump hosted a parade in Washington, D.C., to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Army, the first parade in the nation’s capital in over 30 years.
Trump, who also celebrated his 79th birthday on Saturday, finally saw his desire to stage a military parade fulfilled as thousands of troops marched in Washington, D.C. Tanks and other military vehicles filled the streets as the president watched from an elevated viewpoint behind bulletproof glass.
The hour-long parade was followed by remarks from the president that praised America’s armed forces.
“Every other country celebrates their victories. It’s about time America did too,” said Trump. “That’s what we’re doing tonight. And watching this magnificent display, our souls are filled with gratitude for every generation of warriors who have worn the uniform all the way back to the very beginning.”
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Vice President J.D. Vance also took the stage and acknowledged the president’s birthday.
“June 14 is, of course, the birthday of the Army,” said Vance. “It is, of course, the birthday of the president of the United States. And Happy Birthday, Mr. President.”
After reportedly spending nearly $50 million on the festivities, organizers expected “hundreds of thousands” of people to attend yet the crowd was rather underwhelming. Many seats were empty along the parade route.
The nationwide demonstrations witnessed massive crowds in major cities across the U.S. in what were mostly peaceful protests.
The organizers of the protests, the 50501 Movement, claimed the goal of “No Kings Day” was to reject authoritarianism, billionaire-first politics and the militarization of the country’s democracy.
Some protestors made an appearance in Washington, D.C., near the parade route, yet no major demonstration was organized.
One of the protestors, 60-year-old Tim Pohle, was not fond of the idea of a military parade.
“I just don’t feel it is an American thing to do,” said Pohle. “It’s the kind of thing you would see in Soviet Russia or North Korea.”
Article by Kevin Maguire
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