Trump Marks 79th Birthday with $45M Military Parade Amid National Protests

U.S. President Donald Trump on Saturday presided over a lavish military parade in the nation’s capital to mark his 79th birthday and the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Armed Forces — a display that drew both fanfare and fierce criticism.

The event, held along Constitution Avenue, featured over 6,600 troops, 128 tanks and armored vehicles, aerial flyovers, and a dramatic parachute jump by the Army’s elite team. Trump, joined by First Lady Melania Trump, Vice President J.D. Vance, and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, watched from a custom-built viewing platform on the White House’s south lawn.

While intended as a tribute to American military history, the $45 million parade faced backlash over its cost and tone. Critics likened the display to parades in authoritarian states and accused Trump of politicizing the military.

Simultaneously, coordinated protests dubbed “No Kings Day” unfolded in more than 2,000 cities and towns nationwide. Protesters denounced what they described as Trump’s authoritarian tendencies and called for a return to democratic principles.

During the two-hour procession, Trump saluted troops marching in chronological order through U.S. military history. Afterward, he delivered brief remarks praising the armed forces and accepted a ceremonial flag.

The celebration ended with a performance of Lee Greenwood’s patriotic anthem “God Bless the USA” and a fireworks show near the National Mall.