In a display of global defiance, Xi Jinping orchestrated China’s largest-ever military parade, joined by Vladimir Putin and Kim Jong-un, marking the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II. Xi emphasized the world’s choice between peace or war, with China standing firmly on the “right side of history.” The event showcased an array of military hardware, including newly developed hypersonic missiles and underwater drones, signaling China’s increasing military capabilities and strategic intent. The gathering of the three autocratic leaders sent a message to the West, highlighting potential new Cold War dynamics, and was seen as a display of solidarity against western-led groups.
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In June 2025, Donald Trump orchestrated a military parade in Washington, D.C., coinciding with the U.S. Army’s 250th anniversary. Despite large protests and a significant turnout, Trump expressed disappointment with the event, specifically citing issues with the soldiers’ marching. Consequently, the U.S. Navy is now planning a larger celebration this fall, aiming for a more impressive spectacle. The Navy’s plans are underway despite a lack of announcement, while other branches like the Marine Corps have no such parades planned.
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Russia canceled its major annual navy parade on July 27th in Sevastopol and St. Petersburg due to “security reasons”, as stated by Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov, though specific threats were not disclosed. President Vladimir Putin, who typically attends the event, delivered a video message praising sailors involved in the Ukraine offensive. The cancellation occurred amidst reports of retaliatory Ukrainian drone strikes, with the Russian Defence Ministry reporting the downing of numerous drones overnight, including those near St. Petersburg which disrupted airport operations.
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President Trump expressed anger over his sparsely attended military parade, blaming Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth for its perceived lack of “menacing” tone. Trump reportedly criticized the soldiers’ demeanor, believing they displayed excessive conviviality instead of military precision. This dissatisfaction led to a rebuke of Hegseth, with Trump emphasizing the parade’s failure to convey his desired image of power. The White House vehemently denied these claims, denouncing the source as unreliable.
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President Trump’s extravagant military parade in Washington D.C., costing an estimated $45 million, showcased a stark contrast to the traditional American relationship between the military and civilian government. Trump’s demand for personal loyalty from the armed forces, disregarding the constitutional requirement of allegiance to the office of the presidency, raises concerns about his autocratic tendencies. This display of power coincided with his controversial deployment of troops to Los Angeles without the governor’s consent, further highlighting the tension between the executive and military branches. Legal challenges and growing public discontent suggest a potential turning point in Trump’s increasingly authoritarian approach.
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Internet trolls mocked Donald Trump’s military parade by contrasting its comparatively small turnout and less synchronized marching with the impressive displays of other nations, including North Korea, Mexico, and India. Social media posts highlighted the stark differences in scale, crowd enthusiasm, and marching precision, emphasizing the perceived failure of Trump’s highly-expensive event. The contrasting images fueled criticism of the parade, described by some as a “vulgar display” and a stark contrast to massive simultaneous No Kings protests across the US. This incident follows Trump’s past admiration for other countries’ military parades and his prior pronouncements about showcasing American military might.
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Despite significant resources—including 36 horses, 28 Abrams tanks, 6,700 soldiers, and millions of dollars—Donald Trump’s military birthday parade was largely underwhelming. The parade itself featured minimal excitement, with unsynchronized marching, infrequent cheers, and long stretches of quiet punctuated by announcements. While the initial anticipation and the concluding fireworks and speeches generated some enthusiasm, the main event fell short of expectations, leaving many attendees, including children, bored and unimpressed. The event’s overall energy was significantly less than projected.
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President Trump’s lavish birthday parade, ostensibly celebrating the U.S. Army’s 250th anniversary, featured a two-and-a-half-mile procession of troops representing various American military conflicts, along with tanks, robot dogs, and aerial displays. The event, described by some officials as “Donald Trump’s birthday parade,” included speeches by Trump and other officials, as well as musical performances. Despite its reported $45 million cost, the parade drew a smaller-than-expected crowd, contrasting sharply with widespread “No Kings” Day protests across the nation. The event was heavily sponsored by corporations, including defense contractors and cryptocurrency exchanges.
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Despite a planned $50 million military parade celebrating the Army’s 250th anniversary and coinciding with Donald Trump’s birthday, attendance by Republican lawmakers is notably low, with only a small fraction of those surveyed indicating they will attend. Several prominent Republican leaders cited prior commitments or expressed disapproval of the event’s style, contrasting it with American ideals. The White House, however, anticipates a large public turnout, and the event will receive extensive coverage from Fox News. Criticism of the parade has come from California Governor Gavin Newsom, who decried it as a “vulgar display.”
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When questioned about President Trump’s planned $45 million military parade, many Senate Republicans reacted evasively, employing tactics such as silence, abrupt departures, and evasive answers. While a few Republicans voiced support for the parade, citing the Army’s anniversary and the importance of projecting American strength, most avoided direct responses regarding the cost, possibly due to conflicting views on government spending and a reluctance to publicly oppose the president. Only Senator Rand Paul openly criticized the parade, citing both its cost and its symbolism. The senators’ responses highlight a tension between fiscal conservatism and loyalty to the president.
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John Q. Hosedrinker