On Donald Trump’s birthday, Washington will be transformed into a military arena: the city will host a large-scale parade featuring tanks and U
S. armed forces On the celebratory birthday of former U.S. President Donald Trump, June 14th, the capital of the country—Washington—will become the stage for a grand military demonstration. According to reports from American media and sources within military circles, the main focus will be a parade involving simultaneously 25 modern combat vehicles, including the latest M1 Abrams tanks. This large-scale event is expected to incur significant costs—ranging from $25 million to $45 million—prompting mixed reactions from the public and experts. A Reuters source, citing unnamed senior officials in the administration, reports that preparations for the celebration are already underway. The planned expenses include not only the parade itself but also efforts to prepare the area, clean the city, repair damaged roads and infrastructure, which could further increase the total costs. Preliminary estimates suggest that, given the scale, the total could even reach up to $45 million. One senior official, speaking on condition of anonymity, stated that around twenty modern M1 Abrams tanks—symbols of American armored vehicles, which have long become benchmarks of the U.S. military’s training and strength—are planned to be brought out onto the streets. The cost of this military parade significantly exceeds typical budgets for similar events; unexpected expenses related to logistics and direct preparations are also included. Previously, Reuters reported that, besides military hardware, over 6,500 servicemen from different branches of the armed forces would participate in the event. Additionally, approximately 150 military transport vehicles and about 50 military aircraft are expected to arrive in Washington, creating a large-scale military display in the heart of the capital. Critics of such announced celebrations unanimously describe them as a manifestation of authoritarian tendencies and a show of extravagance at a time when the federal budget is experiencing substantial cuts. They emphasize that such a parade is more of a political statement of power and dominance rather than a genuine benefit for citizens. Activists and analysts remind that during Trump’s presidency, the government cut funding for some social programs while spending huge sums on military displays and parades. Although the administration emphasizes that the event is meant to serve patriotic and symbolic purposes, the costs of organizing it raise many questions regarding the rationality of government spending and priorities of the United States. Those responsible for preparing the event have already stated that the expenses and efforts are fully justified, as the parade will be a bright celebratory spectacle demonstrating the country’s military strength. However, the public community and political opponents remain on edge due to the unprecedented scale of the official celebration and the increased financial expenditures amid times of fiscal restrictions.