Latest news with #GoldenKnights
Washington Post
38 minutes ago
- Entertainment
- Washington Post
76 broken norms led the big parade
In today's edition: It's a weird moment for the military, and not only because one wonders whether the Army's Golden Knights paratroopers, scheduled to drop onto the Ellipse on Saturday to present President Donald Trump with an American flag, will also be toting a cake for the commander in chief who scheduled this big, martial shebang to coincide with his own birthday. How does fondant hold up at near-terminal velocity?
The Sun
5 hours ago
- Entertainment
- The Sun
Trump's military parade: How to watch Donald's ‘birthday' celebrations
DONALD Trump's 'Grand Military Parade and Celebration' promises to be one of the most high-profile events of the summer. Coinciding with both the 250th anniversary of the US Army and the president's 79th birthday, it takes place in Washington DC on June 14, 2025. 4 4 "We will celebrate a spectacular military parade in Washington, DC, like no other… [It's] gonna be better and bigger than any parade we've ever had in this country," President Donald Trump announced on Truth Social. Here's how you can watch and participate in the festivities — whether in person or from home. How to follow Trump's parade The parade is scheduled to begin at 6:30 pm after a day packed with military-themed events and public celebrations. The main procession will roll down Constitution Avenue NW, stretching from 15th Street to 23rd Street, right through the heart of the National Mall. Spectators can expect a display of nearly 7,000 soldiers, about 150 military vehicles — including M1 Abrams tanks and Stryker armored vehicles — as well as flyovers by about 50 helicopters and historic aircraft. The Army's Golden Knights parachute team will perform a jump near the White House Ellipse, and the evening will conclude with a grand fireworks display at 9:45 pm. If you want to attend in person, you don't necessarily need a ticket. The US Army encourages the public to line Constitution Avenue or gather on the grounds of the Washington Monument for a view of the spectacle. However, those wishing for the best vantage points — especially near the main viewing area in front of the White House — can register for tickets via the Army's official event website. Ticket holders will be granted access to special viewing zones, but general admission along the parade route is open to all, space permitting. Trump says he 'wasn't happy' with Elon Musk & reveals moment X boss turned on him…but leaves the door open to reconcile Entry for parade viewing attendees begins at 2 pm ET. Security will be tight, with a significant law enforcement and military presence expected throughout the city. In addition to the parade, the day's festivities include a public festival on the National Mall running from 11 am to 6 pm ET, and an Army fitness competition that begins at 9:30 am. Entry for the festival portion of the day will begin at 8 am on the Mall near the National Air and Space Museum off Seventh Street NW. There will also be an enlistment ceremony led by President Trump after the parade. 4 Watch at home For those unable to make it to Washington DC, the parade will be livestreamed on the US Army's official YouTube and social media channels. Although the event is unlikely to be broadcast directly on network TV, it will instead be shown on some channels' streaming services. According to Variety, major network TV affiliates for ABC, NBC, CBS, and Fox are not expected to interrupt their regular programming to cover the parade, citing sources familiar with their plans. Instead, these networks will provide coverage primarily through their streaming platforms: ABC News Live, NBC News Now, and CBS News 24/7 will carry the event live. However, the event is expected to be widely covered on cable news, including CNN and Fox News, offering both live footage and commentary on the scale and significance of the celebration.
USA Today
13 hours ago
- Politics
- USA Today
Trump hosts patriotic parade as Democrats plan silly protests against ‘kings.'
Trump hosts patriotic parade as Democrats plan silly protests against 'kings.' | Opinion The left has tried for years to paint Donald Trump as a Hitler-style strongman whose authoritarian instincts threaten democracy itself. Clearly, that argument has failed. Yet, they persist. Show Caption Hide Caption Army Golden Knights parachute team practices for military parade The Army's Golden Knights parachute team has been preparing for months to perform at the 250th anniversary military parade. I've never liked parades. Even growing up, they struck me as boring and kind of corny. How many fire trucks and floats does one need to see rolling down the street at a snail's pace? But a lot of people do enjoy them, and they can be a good way of bringing communities, large and small, together. Parades have dominated the headlines of late because President Donald Trump is holding one to celebrate the U.S. Army's 250th anniversary. The spectacle, which will feature tanks and soldiers, among other displays of our country's military might, will take place June 14 in our nation's capital. The date also happens to be Trump's 79th birthday. In a video previewing the parade, he invited Americans to attend the 'unforgettable celebration," calling it – in Trump fashion – 'one like you've never seen before.' 'For two and a half centuries, the men and women of America's Army have dominated our enemies and protected our freedom at home,' the president said. 'This parade salutes our soldiers' remarkable strength and unbeatable spirit. You won't want to miss it. Just don't miss this one. It's going to be good.' Opinion: Hey, Democrats, LA riots make Americans like me glad Trump is president That all sounds quite patriotic to me, and it's in line with Trump's longstanding desire to properly mark the country's 250th birthday in 2026. In his first term, Trump fashioned the 1776 Commission to help prepare the celebration and remind Americans what the Founding Fathers envisioned when creating our republic. Democrats shout 'dictator' and plan ridiculous protests Democrats, however, are freaking out (what's new, right?). Sen. Adam Schiff of California, pompous progressive extraordinaire, called the planned event a 'dictator-style military parade,' putting Trump on par with global bad guys like Russia's Vladimir Putin, North Korea's late Kim Jong Il and China's Xi Jinping. For years, the left has tried to paint Trump as a Hitler-style strongman whose authoritarian instincts threaten democracy itself. Clearly, that argument has failed. Yet, they persist. Opinion: Can you be legally punished for misgendering someone? Colorado says yes. Liberals love nothing more than a rowdy protest, so that's what many are planning for the same day to show their outrage at the president. 'No Kings Day' is one of the most prominent anti-parade 'movements,' with at least 1,800 events planned nationwide. It has received financial support from the likes of Walmart heiress Christy Walton and a host of progressive groups. 'People from all walks of life support No Kings because our country was founded on the idea that presidents answer to the people – not to authoritarian overreach or violence,' said Randi Weingarten, president of the American Federation of Teachers, a No Kings partner organization. That is rich coming from Weingarten, who helped orchestrate the devastating and needless school shutdowns during COVID-19 that harmed millions of children. The 'No Kings' name is also ironic, considering Trump first got the idea to hold a big parade in 2017 when he attended France's Bastille Day celebration. The holiday marks a pivotal point in the French Revolution that overturned the monarchy and ushered in the country's democracy. Not to be outdone with the silliness, the Women's March (remember the pink 'pussyhat' marchers from 2017?) is trying to revive itself by hosting circus-themed 'Kick Out the Clowns' protests, purportedly more than 300 events countrywide. Activists will wear clown costumes to show their outrage at the Trump administration's 'clown-show fascism.' They have a 'goal' of setting the record for the most circuses in one day. 'We need to kick out the clowns, and end the greatest shitshow on earth,' the Women's March website proclaims. I wish I were kidding … but I'm not. Clowns aside, should we be worried about a military parade? Back briefly to Trump's parade. Should we be worried? Is it a symbol of the president's devious machinations? It's helpful to consider what's happened in the past. While military-style parades aren't common in the United States, they aren't unprecedented, either. USA TODAY has referred to them as 'retro.' Opinion: Democrats waste $20 million to learn why they lost men. Here's my free advice. 'I see it like most things in American politics today,' David Dulio, distinguished professor of political science at Michigan's Oakland University, told me via email. 'Many observers would like to reduce this to something simple when, in fact, it's complex. Are military parades in the U.S. common? No. But are they unprecedented? Also no.' The most recent such parade was in 1991, under President George H.W. Bush to commemorate the end of the Persian Gulf War. The inaugurations of former Presidents Dwight D. Eisenhower and John F. Kennedy also featured parades with military elements. The fact the Army's anniversary falls on Trump's birthday is leading to a lot of Democrats' consternation. It's true that our reality TV president has a flair for the dramatic. And it's obvious he holds himself in high esteem. It's also possible that Trump loves the country, too. Ingrid Jacques is a columnist at USA TODAY. Contact her at ijacques@ or on X: @Ingrid_Jacques
Yahoo
17 hours ago
- Climate
- Yahoo
Trump Given Bad Weather News About His Birthday Tank Parade
President Donald Trump's upcoming $45 million parade will most likely get rained on, according to current weather forecasts. As of Wednesday, the National Weather Service has predicted that there is a 60 percent chance it will rain Saturday after 2 p.m. with a probability of thunderstorms in the evening, potentially foiling Trump's stacked parade itinerary. Its website currently reads for Saturday night: 'Showers likely before 8pm, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm between 8pm and 2am, then a chance of showers after 2am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 70. Chance of precipitation is 60%.' The rain could significantly impact Trump's big, beautiful military parade, which is meant to celebrate the founding of the U.S. Army 250 years ago, as well as his 79th birthday. The Army said that the parade is expected to start at 6:30 p.m. and finish at around 7:30 p.m., half an hour before possible thunderstorms. Depending on the severity of the weather, certain events, such as the Army's Golden Knights parachute jump and fireworks at the end of the night, could be canceled. The Golden Knights Parachute Team is currently set to parachute into the Ellipse, where a concert will be held following the parade, and present Trump with a U.S. flag. The elite parachute team was already forced to cancel one of their jumps at a community celebration for the Army's 250th birthday at the Redstone Arsenal Army base in Alabama four days ago due to rain. Special Agent Matt McCool, who is in charge of the Secret Service's Washington field office, advised at a news conference Monday that 'due to the large crowds, noise and the weather forecast, that for their safety,' people leave their pets and emotional support animals at home, though service animals are still permitted. He also said that 'we're preparing for an enormous turnout,' the Secret Service reportedly expecting hundreds of thousands of people to be in attendance Saturday. More than 18 miles of fencing are already being put up throughout Washington D.C. in preparation for the event. Yet unfavorable weather conditions could affect public transportation and result in lower turnout than expected. The parade will also include around 9,000 troops marching along Constitution Avenue in Washington D.C., more than 100 military vehicles, and 50 aircrafts, such as Black Hawk helicopters and WWII-era B-52 bombers. 'It's gonna be an amazing day. We'll have tanks, we'll have planes, we'll have all sorts of things. I think it's gonna be great,' Trump told reporters in the Oval Office Tuesday. The estimated cost of the president's birthday parade excludes the projected cost of repairing the damage done by military tanks after the event, which U.S. military officials have said might come out to as much as $16 million. D.C. Mayor Muriel Browser said back in April that 'military tanks on our streets would not be good,' adding that if the president chose to use military tanks, they 'should be accompanied by many millions of dollars to repair the roads.' Around 130 military tanks are expected to participate in Saturday's procession. Trump tried to throw a military parade during his first term as president after seeing the Bastille parade in France in 2017, which celebrates the fall of the Bastille prison on July 14. He even told French President Emmanuel Macron that the U.S. was 'going to have to try to top' France's celebrations. Though his plans fell through due to the parade's estimated cost of $92 million, Saturday's parade was meant to be his redemption. But with the current forecast, all Trump can do is ask, as Barbara Streisand once did: 'Don't bring around a cloud to rain on my parade.'
Yahoo
a day ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Democrats slam military parade as Trump's multimillion-dollar 'birthday party'
Congressional Democrats and at least one high-profile Republican are slamming the multimillion-dollar cost of the Army's 250th anniversary parade on Saturday that President Donald Trump has long sought to celebrate the military. Trump has said the cost -- projected to be as much as $45 million for the Army alone, not counting security and other expenses -- will be "peanuts compared to the value of doing it." However, his critics argue the money could be better spent elsewhere. "If it was really about celebrating military families, we could put $30 million toward helping them offset the cost of their child care, food assistance and tuition," Sen. Tammy Duckworth said on X. "But it isn't. Trump is throwing himself a $30 million birthday parade just to stroke his own ego." The Army said it has accounted for spending between $25 million and $45 million on the parade, which will include 6,700 troops and dozens of tanks, military fighting vehicles and aircraft staged on or near the National Mall. "Money should be put in medical defense research instead of wasted on some pomp and circumstance for the president," Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., said during a Senate Appropriations Committee hearing with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on Wednesday. "This is not consistent with what the men and women in uniform deserve." MORE: White House tries to clarify Trump's call for using 'heavy force' on 'any' military parade protesters Saturday's parade also falls on Trump's 79th birthday, and when it ends near the White House, the Army's Golden Knights parachute team will present him with an American flag, after which he'll administer the constitutional oath to Army enlistees. "We all like to enjoy a nice birthday party," Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., posted on X. "But most of us don't celebrate with a $45 million taxpayer-funded military parade. "Save taxpayer money. Have a birthday cake and blow out a few candles," he said. "Don't shut down the capital and roll out 60-ton tanks through the streets." "I wouldn't have done it," Kentucky Republican Sen. Rand Paul said. "We were always different than, you know, the images you saw in the Soviet Union and North Korea. We were proud not to be that." Some Democrats echoed that criticism. "It's outrageous," Rep. Yassamin Ansari, D-Ariz., said. "This is something that would happen in North Korea, not the United States of America. Donald Trump thinks he's a king. He's not. He was elected as president of the United States, and he should act as such." Army spokesman Steve Warren defended the parade, saying, "It is a lot of money, but I think that amount of money is dwarfed by 250 years of service and sacrifice that American soldiers have given this country. "We're looking at this as an opportunity to really strengthen the connection between America and her Army," he added. "So, yeah, it's a lot of money, but it pales in comparison to what we're selling." MORE: Nearly 7,000 troops, tanks and parachute jumps: Army confirms military parade coinciding with Trump's birthday The White House this week also requested a flyover by the Air Force Thunderbirds. When asked Thursday what he hopes the public will remember about the parade, Trump said, "How great our country is, very simple, and how strong our military is." "We have the strongest military in the world," he added. The White House has not responded to requests for a total cost estimate that would include money spent on security and other arrangements. Several Republicans say they're skipping the parade due to prior commitments, including House Speaker Mike Johnson. Georgia Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene said she would attend and defended the display. "Washington D.C. is the safest it's ever been!!" she wrote. "I wish our great military men and women could just stay here. I am so excited for the parade celebrating the 250th anniversary of our United States Army!!" Protests of the Trump administration's immigration crackdown are planned across the country to counterprogram the parade, with the flagship "No Kings" protest occurring in Philadelphia. Nine small protests are also expected in Washington, according to the Secret Service and local officials. Trump has warned protesters will be met with "heavy force." On Thursday, he disputed the characterization of him as a king. "I don't feel like a king. I have to go through hell to get stuff approved," he said, adding, "No, no, we're not a king. We're not a king at all." ABC News' Nate Luna and Anne Flaherty contributed to this report. Democrats slam military parade as Trump's multimillion-dollar 'birthday party' originally appeared on
