Trump Gets 'Happy Birthday' Serenade at U.S. Army’s 250th Anniversary Parade

In a heartwarming moment at the U.S. Army’s 250th anniversary parade in Washington, D.C., thousands of spectators broke into a spontaneous rendition of "Happy Birthday" for President Donald Trump, who turned 79 on Saturday. As Trump wrapped up his remarks and welcomed First Lady Melania Trump to the stage along U.S. 50, the crowd’s serenade brought a broad smile to his face.

The celebration didn’t stop there. A young Army officer presented Trump with a U.S. flag, flown over the Capitol earlier that day by the Army’s Golden Knights, as a tribute to the nation’s oldest military branch. The gesture added a patriotic flourish to an already festive occasion.

Yet, the parade wasn’t without controversy. Critics, primarily from the left, accused Trump of turning the military commemoration into a personal vanity project, noting its overlap with his birthday. Sen. Adam Schiff, D-Calif., called it a "military vanity show" on a recent podcast, decrying the spectacle as more about Trump than honoring the armed forces. Rep. Steve Cohen, D-Tenn., even proposed the HAPPY BIRTHDAY Budget Act to block taxpayer funds for such events.

Amid the political sniping, the day carried other milestones. Vice President JD Vance highlighted that Saturday also marked his wedding anniversary with Second Lady Usha Vance, as well as Flag Day, commemorating the 1777 adoption of the Stars and Stripes. The convergence of personal, national, and historical moments made the parade a vibrant tapestry of celebration and reflection.