On a bright Saturday, June 14th, President Donald Trump marked his 79th birthday in grand style with a spectacular $45 million military parade in Washington, D.C. This event celebrated the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Army in a truly historic fashion.
The President made a grand entrance as “Hail to the Chief” and “Happy Birthday” resonated through the air, with First Lady Melania Trump, the Trump family, and prominent government officials by his side.
The entire show was a powerful display of America’s military prowess over the years. It featured a fascinating array of tanks, aircraft from different times, and soldiers clad in both historical and contemporary uniforms as they proudly paraded through the capital.
This event captured the evolution of the U.S. Army. From the early skirmishes of the Revolutionary War’s Battle of Lexington to modern-day operations, it brought history to life. It was the first time since the Gulf War in 1991 that such a significant number of troops had marched through Washington, marking a momentous occasion.
An Intimate Exchange Observed
While the formalities unfolded, a small but tender moment between President Trump and the First Lady caught the eyes of the audience.
Lip-reading expert Jeremy Freeman shared with the Irish Star that as Melania gently touched the President’s back and began to sit, Trump turned to her with a warm, “Thank you, baby.”
Interestingly, another exchange piqued curiosity. Lip reader Nicola Hickling noted Melania commenting on the troops, “They’re good,” to which Trump oddly replied, “I pushed my finger on one of them.” Melania reportedly retorted, “You didn’t do that,” leaving observers scratching their heads.
Trump’s Fervent Address
In an impassioned eight-minute speech, Trump emphasized American pride, saying, “Other nations celebrate their victories—it’s time America did too.”
Boldly he stated, “We’re the hottest country in the world right now. And if you threaten the American people, our soldiers are coming for you.”
The celebration came to a memorable conclusion with a magnificent display of fireworks over the Tidal Basin, filling the night sky with vibrant colors in honor of the special day.
The Debate Over Attendance
Steven Cheung, the White House Communications Director, claimed an impressive crowd of over 250,000 “patriots” participated in the festivities.
However, this bold assertion was met with skepticism. Several media outlets like the Associated Press, the New York Times, and Fox News reported the actual turnout seemed significantly smaller, based on videos and eyewitness reports.
Despite controversy over crowd size, Trump described the event as a fulfillment of a long-held wish. He told Fox News, “It was beautiful. We had a fantastic audience,” expressing that he had envisioned a military parade since his first presidential term in 2017.
Protest and Political Blowback
However, not everyone was celebrating. Protesters, under the “No Kings” banner, took to the streets in Washington and across the nation to voice their disapproval, branding the event an authoritarian display and criticizing it as a “wasteful,” “un-American” glorification of militarism.
Demonstrations also highlighted Trump’s recent immigration policies. Earlier in the month, thousands of National Guard troops and Marines were sent to Los Angeles due to civil disturbances.
The weekend also saw immigration enforcement raids resulting in the arrests of numerous undocumented individuals, particularly in Latino communities, which provoked further outrage among civil rights groups and immigrant advocates.
Regardless of differing opinions, the grand military parade left its mark on the nation’s capital, serving as a powerful homage to the history and future of America’s military.
