Internet trolls worldwide have ridiculed Donald Trump’s military parade held on Saturday in Washington, D.C., coinciding with the president’s birthday, although it was officially meant to celebrate the U.S. Army’s 250th anniversary.
On the platform X (formerly Twitter), users shared clips from various nations’ military parades, showcasing synchronized troops and exuberant crowds, contrasting sharply with the events in D.C. One account, identified by Puck News reporter Julia Ioffe as Russian, featured footage of the North Korean military marching in perfect formation, alongside a video of U.S. Army troops parading with noticeably less enthusiasm. The accompanying caption read, “How Trump imagined his parade [vs] What he actually saw.” The difference was stark, as North Korean soldiers executed their maneuvers with precision, in contrast to the U.S. Army’s more relaxed and less coordinated display, with some speculating that troops were instructed to march in a less formal manner.
Another post showcased Mexico’s vibrant Independence Day parade, while yet another highlighted India’s Republic Day festivities. One commentator lamented, “Depressing that even USA’s biggest and most expensive parade is still dogshit in comparison to Mexico’s Independence Day parade.”
Trump has previously expressed admiration for military displays in other countries. After witnessing France’s Bastille Day parade in 2017, he remarked to reporters, “It was one of the greatest parades I’ve ever seen… We’re going to have to try to top it.”
Karen Tumulty, a columnist for the Washington Post, noted that Trump’s fascination with military parades dates back even further. In a pre-inaugural interview, he stated, “We’re going to show the people as we build up our military, we’re going to display our military,” adding that it could involve troops marching down Pennsylvania Avenue or aircraft flying over major cities.
California Governor Gavin Newsom criticized the parade as “a vulgar display” during a press conference, equating it to displays seen in authoritarian regimes.
As Trump celebrated the Army’s birthday in D.C., a reported $45 million event, countless protesters gathered nationwide—outnumbering parade attendees—during the No Kings demonstrations against him. Approximately 5 million individuals participated in protests across 2,100 U.S. cities while troops marched past largely empty stands.