The president celebrated his birthday at a $45 million military parade with hundreds of thousands of people, though people suspect something different.
It was Donald Trump's 79th birthday on Saturday (June 14) and the POTUS celebrated it by attending a military parade dedicated to the US Army's 250th anniversary in Washington, DC.
Trump walked out to 'Hail to the Chief' and 'Happy Birthday' alongside First Lady Melania Trump, his family, and Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth among other officials.
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The power of the military went on full display in the parade, with tanks and aircrafts spanning the decades as well as parachuters from the sky and more than 6,000 uniformed soldiers in period consumes patrolling through the capital.
The parade lifted the lit on the American Army's story, from the Battle of Lexington in the Revolutionary War through to the modern day.
The historic moment comes as the last time American troops gathered in such large numbers was after the Gulf War in 1991.
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The president addressed the crowd and military personnel at the end of the parade in an eight-minute-long speech, saying in part: "Every other country celebrates their victories. It's about time America did too.
"We're the hottest country in the world right now," he continued. "If you threaten the American people, our soldiers are coming for you."
Afterwards, Trump and attendees were treated to a massive display of fireworks over the Tidal Basin.
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The White House communications director, Steven Cheung, boasted that more than 250,000 'patriots showed up' to lend their support, 'despite the threat of rain'.
However, attendees and images of the parade has prompted many to believe that figure has been vastly inflated with reports from the Associated Press, the New York Times and Fox News suggesting the crowd was much smaller.
Dozens have since taken to social media to slam what they describe as a poor turnout.
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"Bro said ‘display of military might’. I see lawn chairs and a Bluetooth speaker," said one on Twitter. "It looks like a recruiting booth a Six Flags."
"More people IN the parade than AT the parade," said another.
Others said they felt sorry for the military personnel and that the spectacle, estimated to cost between $25 million to $45 million, was a waste of money.
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"Military parades are a waste. I want our troops to be allowed to do their jobs, not be paraded around for trump’s birthday," a third penned.
The big day came as Trump said he has wanted a parade since his first presidential term in 2017 but was blocked by his then-administration.
The event was also affected by protesters who deliberately organized a clash with the celebration, holding a flagship march in Philadelphia to 'draw a clear contrast between our people-powered movement and the costly, wasteful, and un-American birthday parade in Washington,' according to the 'No Kings' demonstrators as per The Independent.
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The demonstrators took to cities across the US on Saturday in protest of Trump's alleged authoritarian agenda including his aggressive immigration raids.
While Trump threatened to meet the protesters with a 'very big force' ahead of the parade, Cheung mocked them on Twitter, ironically calling it an 'utter failure with minuscule attendance'.
"It is sad Democrats and liberals would rather support criminals and illegals instead of celebrating the 250th anniversary of our great U.S. Army and Flag Day. But many more Americans are commemorating our brave military men and women who have given the ultimate sacrifice and who those continue to serve our country," he wrote.
Topics: Donald Trump, Politics, Social Media, Washington, US News, Military, Money
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