Trump’s $25M Army Parade: Patriotic Pride or Pricey Ego Trip?

President Donald Trump is set to commemorate the U.S. Army’s 250th anniversary with a grand military parade along Washington D.C.’s National Mall this Saturday, coinciding with his 79th birthday. A recent Associated Press-NORC poll reveals a divided public: 40% of Americans approve of the parade, while 29% disapprove, and 30% remain neutral. Yet, a striking 60% question its cost, deeming the $25-$45 million price tag a poor use of taxpayer funds.

The parade will feature 6,600 soldiers, 50 aircraft, and 150 vehicles, including tanks and missile launchers, rolling through the capital. Trump, defending the expense on NBC’s Meet the Press, called it "peanuts" compared to showcasing America’s military might. "We have the greatest weapons in the world, and we’re going to celebrate it," he declared, emphasizing the event’s patriotic appeal.

Critics, however, see it differently. Sen. Tammy Duckworth, an Iraq War veteran and double amputee, slammed the parade as a $30 million ego boost for Trump, suggesting the funds could better support military families with childcare, food, or tuition costs. The poll reflects this sentiment, with 80% of Democrats opposing the parade’s funding, while two-thirds of Republicans back it.

Amid the spectacle, protests are brewing. Progressive and pro-democracy groups are organizing No Kings rallies across all 50 states, though they’ve opted for Philadelphia over D.C. for their main event, wary of Trump’s warning that any demonstrators will face "very big force." The White House insists the parade will unite Americans in honoring active-duty troops, veterans, and fallen heroes.

With tanks set to rumble and political tensions simmering, this birthday bash for both Trump and the Army promises to be anything but understated.