President Donald Trump defended plans for a June 14 military parade marking the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Army, dismissing media criticism that it’s a celebration of his birthday. “My birthday happens to be on Flag Day,” Trump told NBC’s Meet the Press, adding, “I view it for Flag Day, not necessarily my birthday.”
The Associated Press drew Trump’s ire with a headline highlighting parade plans “on Trump’s birthday,” which he and allies say distorts the event’s intent to honor American troops. The planned Washington, D.C., parade could involve up to 6,600 soldiers and cost $45 million — an expense critics have questioned.
Trump brushed off the cost, calling it “peanuts compared to the value of doing it,” and used the interview to emphasize U.S. military strength, in the interview. He has long advocated for large-scale patriotic parades, echoing those in other nations. The parade date remains tentative but likely around June 14.
