On Saturday, June 14, President Donald Trump celebrated his 79th birthday with an extravagant $45 million military parade in Washington, D.C., commemorating the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Army.
The President emerged to the sounds of “Hail to the Chief” and “Happy Birthday,” joined by First Lady Melania Trump, their family, and key government officials.
The spectacle showcased America’s military strength through the ages, featuring tanks, aircraft from different eras, and soldiers dressed in both historical and contemporary uniforms as they marched through the capital.
The parade depicted the evolution of the U.S. Army—from the Revolutionary War’s Battle of Lexington to modern-day operations. It marked the first time in over three decades, since the Gulf War in 1991, that troops assembled in such large numbers for a procession through Washington.
An Intimate Moment Captured
As Trump approached the stage, a subtle moment between the President and the First Lady caught viewers’ attention.
Professional lip-reader Jeremy Freeman told the Irish Star that after Melania gently touched Trump’s back and began to take her seat, the President turned and said warmly, “Thank you, baby.”
However, the couple’s interaction also included a peculiar exchange. Another lip reader, Nicola Hickling, reported that Melania commented on the passing troops, saying, “They’re good,” to which Trump bizarrely replied, “I pushed my finger on one of them.”
Melania allegedly responded, “You didn’t do that,” leaving observers puzzled by the cryptic comment.
Trump’s Patriotic Address
During his eight-minute speech, Trump championed American pride, declaring, “Other nations celebrate their victories—it’s time America did too.”
He added, “We’re the hottest country in the world right now. And if you threaten the American people, our soldiers are coming for you.”
The night concluded with a grand fireworks display over the Tidal Basin, lighting up the skies in honor of the occasion.
Crowd Size Controversy
According to White House Communications Director Steven Cheung, over 250,000 “patriots” attended the celebration.
However, this figure was met with skepticism as media outlets, including the Associated Press, the New York Times, and even Fox News, reported that actual attendance appeared significantly lower based on footage and eyewitness accounts.
Despite the disputed turnout, Trump described the event as a long-time dream realized. “It was beautiful. We had a fantastic audience,” he told Fox News, noting that he had desired a military parade since his first term in 2017.
Protests and Political Backlash
Not everyone shared Trump’s enthusiasm. Demonstrators under the “No Kings” banner took to the streets in Washington and across other major cities to oppose what they called an authoritarian spectacle. They criticized the celebration as “wasteful,” “un-American,” and a glorification of militarism.
The protests also drew attention to Trump’s recent immigration crackdown. Earlier this month, thousands of National Guard members and Marines were deployed to Los Angeles in response to civil unrest.
Over the weekend, immigration enforcement raids led to the arrest of numerous undocumented migrants, particularly in Latino neighborhoods, fueling further outrage among civil rights advocates and immigrant communities.
