Washington D.C. lit up with fireworks and rumbled with tanks this week as former U.S. President Donald Trump hosted a $45 million military parade – but not everyone was celebrating. The event, timed to his 79th birthday and the U.S. Army’s 250th anniversary, drew massive crowds and nationwide protests. Here’s the tea. ☕
🎂 A Birthday Bash or Political Theater?
While billed as a tribute to military history, critics called the June 14 spectacle a vanity project. Over 7,000 troops, armored vehicles, and marching bands paraded past Trump, who received a 21-gun salute and a crowd-sung “Happy Birthday.” Meanwhile, anti-Trump demonstrators flooded streets from New York to Los Angeles, chanting: “Not my president!”
💸 Show Me the Money
The $45 million price tag – funded by taxpayers – became instant meme material. Trump defended it as “peanuts compared to the value” on NBC, but polls show 66% of Americans opposed the spending. Many questioned why the U.S. needed another parade after May’s Memorial Day events.
🦅 Trump’s Rushmore Dreams
This wasn’t just about birthday cake. Insiders say Trump has wanted a military parade since 2018, inspired by France’s Bastille Day. After failing to launch one during his first term, he seized this moment post-reelection. Analysts suggest he’s chasing a legacy alongside Washington and Lincoln – but critics argue the optics backfired.
As tanks rolled and protesters rallied, one thing’s clear: In 2024 America, even parades are political battlegrounds. 🇺🇸⚔️
