https://www.nytimes.com/2025/06/14/us/politics/trump-military-parade-takeaways.html The events in the capital were overshadowed by an assassination in Minnesota and turmoil in the Middle East. The spectacle was limited. For an event that relied on mesmerizing production and an awe factor for spectators, a number of logistical obstacles and muted enthusiasm were palpable on the ground. Reporters for The New York Times who attended the parade described an at-times underwhelming performance and crowds dispersing early amid a light drizzle. Massive crowds!! This looks interesting!! Oh wait - that was a protest. Ironic that Trump was overshadowed by one of his fanboy assassins and Netanyahu.
Honestly, as a nation that was born out of escaping tyranny, this was not an appropriate event. 1. This was clearly a wanna-be dictator commanding his minions to march in his homage. I feel badly for the soldiers ordered to take part in that self-aggrandizing spectacle for a moron. 2. This nation has a tremendous history of honoring our military, honoring our fallen soldiers and building monuments and dedicate entire federal holidays to recognizing the heroism, bravery and service of our military. 3. What this nation DOES NOT DO is honor soldiers marching in our streets (even the capital) and tanks and armored vehicles rumbling through the capital. This is a display tyrannical dictators put on to warn those who would oppose them, not a celebration of anything other than Trump. 4. Finally, where were the DOGE jackals and Big Balls demanding we cut this $50M of Waste, Fraud and Abuse??
The people who stood outside in the cold for Trump’s inauguration couldn’t afford to come back to DC for his rainbow parade.
I just have two points to make. First, from my perspective (here in my house), whether the Army parade or the No Kings protests were huge events or underwhelming seemed to be a matter of which channel you were watching or what one’s political biases are. In the end, neither turned out be any kind of spectacle of violence. The parade in DC seemed to go more or less as planned. Any violence associated with the No Kings protests seemed to be consistent with what we were already seeing regionally in the days before. In other words, LA, Chicago, and New York looked the same as they did on Thursday and Friday. So did the other parts of the country with lower levels of unrest. And I have to say that’s a good thing because I was expecting a worse outcome. Second, on the Army parade, I stipulate that it’s an unfortunate coincidence that it was also the President’s birthday. But this was going to be a big deal even if Trump had not won the election. I mean, 250 years is a big milestone. This October the Navy hits 250 years, and it’s going to be a big deal. In November, it’s the Marine Corps, and it’s going to be a big deal. Next year, it’s the whole country. I mean, I’m sorry that President Trump is the guy who has to preside over these milestones, but that’s the way the people voted. As a young buck, I was horrified that the people chose Clinton (instead of war hero GHWB) in 1992 when we would have all of these WW2 50-year milestones to celebrate, but again that’s the way it went. As I recall, we got through Clinton speaking at the 50th anniversary of Normandy without a constitutional crisis. We will get through this, too.
I thought I read that originally that the Army wanted to use the national mall as a stage for re-enactments, music, equipment and unit displays along with interaction from troops for a celebration/ educational event. It then morphed into a parade somehow.
So few people went to Trump’s birthday party, what a waste of $50 dollars. Costed us more than the total of what the failed DOGE nonsense “saved”… it’s sad that Trump made the military the Focal point of this national embarrassment.
The parade started at 6pm. Prior to that they had all sorts of demonstrations and displays and interacted with folks. So they did exactly what you thought they were going to do
It’s obvious how bored these people are and poor demented Trump appears to trying to wonder off early…. I wonder who is really running things.
Rolling Stone gave Trump's parade a higher-than-expected review: Donald Trump’s Military Birthday Parade Was a Gross Failure
Imo the parade went well and I enjoyed it more than expected. Thankfully & surprisingly no politics mentioned from Trump or Vance. The focus was on the Army, the soldiers and showing them appreciation.
For the vip section - should have more more military higher-ups, MOH recipients or some remaining vets of ww2. fewer cabinet members and their kids - (Eric Trump?). I anticipate the vets would have been appreciative and not look bored.
I think the vibe and spirit of the parade would have been 100% more awesome if it had been held on the 4th of July. Massive crowds, fireworks, and a festive air. It would have just made more sense as a part of a patriotic celebration, rather than the whole show.
It won’t be the Army’s 250th birthday on July 4th. This was going to be celebrated no matter what, no matter who was in charge.
MOH recipients were there as was the army chain of command. Don’t think Eric Trump was there. Only kids I saw were JD Vance’s little kids
But would it have made sense for the army to have their birthday celebration not on their birthday? Either way, I’m sure you would complain about it. Can’t see how anyone that watched it can complain about it
Im sure someone in the crowd watching made a comment and laughed at all those is “losers and suckers”, probably just before he peed his pants.
