WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump marked his 79th birthday with a display of military might, as a government-funded parade honoring the U.S. Army’s founding doubled as a celebration of the commander-in-chief. The event, expected to draw up to 200,000 spectators, also sparked nationwide protests, with critics condemning it as a costly spectacle of executive power.
The parade, estimated to cost taxpayers $45 million, featured Abrams tanks, Bradley Infantry Fighting Vehicles, and military helicopters rolling down Constitution Avenue—a vision Trump had championed since attending France’s Bastille Day festivities in 2017. “We want to show off a little bit,” Trump declared in a recent speech at Fort Bragg, framing the event as a belated tribute to America’s military legacy. “France celebrates their victories. Now, we will too.”
A Birthday Coinciding With Controversy
The timing of the parade—on Father’s Day weekend and amid escalating tensions between Israel and Iran—drew scrutiny. Trump, who will turn 82 by the end of his term, remains the oldest sitting U.S. president, a distinction previously held by Joe Biden. His physician, Dr. Sean Barbabella, recently affirmed Trump’s “excellent health,” crediting his “active lifestyle” and golf victories.
Yet the celebration unfolded against a backdrop of dissent. Organizers of the “No Kings” Day protests predicted millions would rally in over 2,000 demonstrations nationwide, condemning Trump’s expanded executive authority. The backlash intensified after he deployed the National Guard and Marines to Los Angeles earlier in the week—a move California Gov. Gavin Newsom blasted as “authoritarian overreach.”
A Parade Years in the Making
Trump’s desire for a grand military display dates back to his first term. Inspired by Paris’s Bastille Day, where he and Melania Trump watched French troops march in 2017, he vowed to “top it” with a U.S. version. Though plans for a 2018 Fourth of July military showcase were scaled back, Saturday’s event fulfilled his vision, complete with veterans, Gold Star families, and active-duty troops in attendance.
Political Divides on Full Display
While supporters cheered the patriotic spectacle, detractors saw it as a vanity project. “This isn’t about honoring troops—it’s about feeding a cult of personality,” said one protest organizer. Meanwhile, Trump’s allies praised the display as a reaffirmation of American strength.
As thunderstorms loomed over Washington, the president prepared for another milestone: a Sunday trip to Canada for meetings with global leaders. But for one day, at least, the spotlight was squarely on him—tanks, helicopters, and all.
“We’re going to celebrate from now on,” Trump proclaimed. For his critics, that was precisely the problem.