Military Parade in Capital on Trump’s Birthday Could Cost $45 Million, Officials Say

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Wouldn’t this be a boon to the DC economy? It’s a shoulder season weekend before most schools close and the July 4th holiday. Seems like thousands of extra hotel room sales and full restaurants would eclipse the costs. What am I missing?

The costs of policing and cleaning up after this mess, and road repair — which is likely to be considerable. Let’s hope that knowledgeable engineers will be checking the bridge on Trump’s parade route of choice. It was not designed for tanks.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OMG this is so dictator-y to have a parade for one's birthday in the first place

The 250th birthday of the US Army seems like a big deal to a lot of people and many are glad it is being appropriately recognized. There are actually almost 3 weeks of events with the parade being just one event.

They can celebrate it where the Army actually lives, works, goes to school.

You also don't need to bring the tanks in to celebrate. We have only used tanks overseas. European nations had them battling through their cities and have them for defensive capability...so it makes slightly more sense to parade them in those places.

This parade is an incredibly Kremlin style embarrassment that will inconvenience our hard-working troops. And it's completely unfunny that it's Trump's birthday. A more tasteful person would avoid this. It's completely in line with the AI video about Trump Gaza and the tweeted picture of Trump as Pope. Our President has no sense of what's appropriate and thinks only of himself. SAD!

[Anonymous]

After the DC Council has hollowed out our restaurant industry, a lot of owners are grateful for this event and the tens of thousands of diners it will bring.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OMG this is so dictator-y to have a parade for one's birthday in the first place

The 250th birthday of the US Army seems like a big deal to a lot of people and many are glad it is being appropriately recognized. There are actually almost 3 weeks of events with the parade being just one event.

It IS a big deal. Too bad that Trump is co-opting the Army’s planned celebrations to do something very different centering himself.

I mean, the guy canceled his own inauguration parade. Who does that? Seems like this is legitimately more about celebrating the Army.

[Anonymous]

It’s the Army’s 250th anniversary.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It’s the Army’s 250th anniversary.

Yes. Those of us who read the first post know this.
Some of us think that Trump’s plan to use this occasion to celebrate himself is both unfortunate and expensive.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It’s the Army’s 250th anniversary.

Yes. Those of us who read the first post know this.
Some of us think that Trump’s plan to use this occasion to celebrate himself is both unfortunate and expensive.

So what is the “plan”?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Sounds like DC taxpayers will be left footing the bill from damage to DC roads from tank traffic?
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/05/15/us/politics/trump-parade-army-birthday-cost.html

Military Parade in Capital on Trump’s Birthday Could Cost $45 Million, Officials Say
The parade is scheduled for June 14, the date of the Army’s 250th anniversary, and is billed as the “Army’s birthday celebration.” President Trump turns 79 that day.

A military parade planned for next month could cost up to $45 million and is expected to include up to two dozen M1 Abrams tanks rolling through the streets of Washington, two defense officials said Thursday.

The parade, according to the Army’s website, will be held on June 14, which is both the date of the Army’s 250th anniversary and President Trump’s 79th birthday.

The officials who spoke about the costs said that the estimate, previously reported by Reuters, did not include the cleanup or repairs from damage to Washington’s roads from the tank traffic. They spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss internal planning

I wish we could ignore it. No media attending and broadcasting and no crowds

[Anonymous]

I know it’s a small thing compared to the complete waste of money the whole thing is, but June 14 also happens to be the date of graduation for Jackson-Reed High school and School without Walls. Meaning that somehow 500 families living mostly in NW DC have to get to SE to the Sports and Entertainment complex in the middle of all fo the madness AND Walls families have to somehow get to the GW campus. So basically it one more reason that this complete waste of money is also a huge pain for local families.

[Anonymous]

You people disgust real Americans. I’m sure you already know that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I know it’s a small thing compared to the complete waste of money the whole thing is, but June 14 also happens to be the date of graduation for Jackson-Reed High school and School without Walls. Meaning that somehow 500 families living mostly in NW DC have to get to SE to the Sports and Entertainment complex in the middle of all fo the madness AND Walls families have to somehow get to the GW campus. So basically it one more reason that this complete waste of money is also a huge pain for local families.

Good lord. Why is JR graduating on the other side of town? Thats an outrageous trip even with no parade. Why not at AU or UDC?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You people disgust real Americans. I’m sure you already know that.

Real Americans can watch this kind of parade for free on Youtube.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Let’s book all the hotel rooms so MAGAts can’t attend, and cancel reservations at the last minute

Sure. Lets hurt the local hotels

The article says the soldiers marching will sleep in government buildings.

And they will eat two MREs and only one hot meal per day. While sitting in the nation's capital, guarding a street corner.

10 bucks says those MREs served will be expired and inedible. Soldiers will be wandering downtown looking for food.

And DC taxpayers will get stuck with the bill repairing the roads after they crack under the weight of the tanks.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Let’s book all the hotel rooms so MAGAts can’t attend, and cancel reservations at the last minute

Sure. Lets hurt the local hotels

The article says the soldiers marching will sleep in government buildings.

And they will eat two MREs and only one hot meal per day. While sitting in the nation's capital, guarding a street corner.

10 bucks says those MREs served will be expired and inedible. Soldiers will be wandering downtown looking for food.

And DC taxpayers will get stuck with the bill repairing the roads after they crack under the weight of the tanks.

Why would DC have to pay to repair Memorial Bridge and Constitution Avenue? Did you think the tanks are going to roll down U Street? You sound hysterical.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I know it’s a small thing compared to the complete waste of money the whole thing is, but June 14 also happens to be the date of graduation for Jackson-Reed High school and School without Walls. Meaning that somehow 500 families living mostly in NW DC have to get to SE to the Sports and Entertainment complex in the middle of all fo the madness AND Walls families have to somehow get to the GW campus. So basically it one more reason that this complete waste of money is also a huge pain for local families.

Good lord. Why is JR graduating on the other side of town? Thats an outrageous trip even with no parade. Why not at AU or UDC?

Which is bigger: 4,200 or 1,500 (UDC)?
With about 500 graduates and their families UDC would not make sense, unless there’s a bigger space that I’m not aware of.
Does AU usually make their spaces available to DCPS for things like graduations?