The much-debated Army parade that took place in Washington, D.C. in June, which also happened to celebrate Donald Trump’s birthday, ended up costing the military branch a hefty sum of $30 million. This information was made public by an Army spokesman on Wednesday.
According to the spokesperson, the total cost for the parade and the accompanying festival came to approximately $30 million, as reported by The Hill.
The event was meant to honor the Army’s 250th anniversary and was originally estimated to cost between $25 million and $45 million, though this estimate didn’t include expenses for law enforcement and road repairs necessary due to the occasion.
Concerns were raised about potential damage to Washington’s infrastructure as a result of the parade. However, an Army representative later confirmed that the processions had only harmed a single curb, which will be addressed by the Army.
The parade included a stunning display of marching soldiers, spectacular fireworks, and a mix of both historical and contemporary military vehicles cruising through the streets of Washington.
Despite some being impressed by the scale and organization of the event, opinions on it remain polarized. Critics expressed that the showcasing of military strength during a time when federal forces were deployed to disperse protesters in Los Angeles pointed to an authoritarian-style governance.
One spectator, Donna Stork, 73, from Hagerstown, Maryland, described the event in stark terms, saying, “This is the kind of display that Stalin would put on. It’s disturbing to see something like this done for one individual’s pride.” While she showed support for celebrating military achievements, she insisted that the focus should have remained on honoring those who died for the nation rather than on Trump’s image.
Conversely, some veterans voiced their commendation for the parade. Van Beal, 70, who retired from the Army three decades ago, expressed his pride in being present. “I wanted to pay respect to the ones who came before me, my fallen friends,” he shared with The Independent.
A survey carried out in June revealed that a significant majority—60 percent—considered the parade a poor allocation of government resources.
Additionally, the parade unfolded the same day as the “No Kings” protests, which reportedly attracted between 4 and 5 million participants.
The Trump administration claimed an attendance of 250,000 at the parade, yet outside assessments estimated the presence was likely below 200,000.
