A military parade to commemorate the Army’s anniversary next month, which coincides with President Trump’s birthday, is expected to cost between $25 million and $45 million, an Army spokesperson told CBS News.
The parade in Washington, D.C., is expected to feature over 100 vehicles and thousands of soldiers stationed in federal buildings. It could also involve 50 helicopters, requiring “extensive coordination” with the Federal Aviation Administration, according to the spokesperson.
The event will take place on June 14 as part of the Army’s 250th anniversary celebrations, which also coincide with Mr. Trump’s 79th birthday.
According to White House spokesperson Anna Kelly, the cost will be “shared by the Department of the Army and the U.S. Semiquincentennial Commission.”
“President Trump will commemorate the United States Army’s birthday with a military parade that honors all who served since our great nation was founded 250 years ago,” according to Kelly.
“There is no event grand enough to adequately capture our gratitude for the millions of heroes who laid down their lives defending our freedom, but this parade will be a fitting tribute to the service, sacrifice, and selflessness of all who have worn the uniform.”
Reports of a possible military parade began to circulate last month. Initial plans obtained by The Associated Press two weeks ago called for more than 6,600 soldiers, seven bands, and 150 vehicles, including tanks, Stryker, and Bradley fighting vehicles — though the Army said the plans had not yet been finalized.
Mr. Trump confirmed the plans earlier this month, saying, “We’re going to have a big, beautiful parade,” on NBC’s “Meet The Press.”
The president also stated that the event is not related to his birthday. When asked about the cost, Mr. Trump claimed it would be “peanuts compared to the value of doing it.”
“We have the best missiles in the world.” We have the best submarines in the world. We have the best army tanks in the world. We possess the greatest weapons in the world. “And we’re going to celebrate,” Mr. Trump told NBC News.
Democrats have criticized the plans. Rep. Steve Cohen of Tennessee criticized the plan earlier this month, stating that “the egotist-in-chief wants taxpayers to foot the bill for a military parade on his birthday.”
Mr. Trump has long been interested in the pageantry of military parades. During a 2017 visit to France during his first term, the president praised the country’s annual Bastille Day parade and suggested that “we’re going to have to try and top it” on July 4th.
A year later, the administration began planning a parade to commemorate Veterans Day. However, after reports circulated that the event could cost up to $92 million — and some Democratic lawmakers blasted the idea as “self-aggrandizing” — Mr. Trump postponed the event and blamed local elected officials for raising the price.
“The local politicians who run Washington, D.C. (poorly) recognize a windfall when they see one. When asked to give us a price for holding a great celebratory military parade, they wanted a ridiculously high number, so I cancelled it,” Mr. Trump wrote on X, then known as Twitter, in 2018.