'Peak narcissism': Veterans blast Trump for 'hijacking' military holiday for his birthday
Former President Donald J. Trump speaks with military and civic leaders during a flightline tour at Tyndall Air Force Base, Florida, May 8, 2019. Leaders met with Trump to provide an update on base recovery efforts. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Monica Roybal)
In a post on his Truth Social platform Friday, President Donald Trump announced a parade on June 14 "to honor the United States Army’s 250th birthday."
"I am proud to announce that we will be hosting a magnificent Parade to honor the United States Army’s 250th Birthday, on Saturday, June 14th, in Washington, D.C," the president said in the post.
"For two and a half centuries, our brave soldiers have fought, bled, and died to keep us FREE, and now we will honor them with a wonderful Parade, one that is worthy of their service and sacrifice. Americans across the Nation are invited to attend," he added. Trump also shared a link to RSVP for the event.
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The Army anniversary falls on the same day as Trump's 79th birthday, which is June 14.
Earlier this month, the Associated Press reported that the plans include over 6,600 soldiers, at least 150 vehicles, 50 helicopters, seven bands, and possibly a few thousand civilians.
The president's Truth Social post sparked backlash on social media, with many saying the event would be a waste of taxpayers' money.
Mental health professional Steven Hassan wrote on the social platform X: "Trump is planning a $45 million military parade to celebrate his birthday, while simultaneously slashing funding for veterans who need basic healthcare. This isn’t about honoring the country. It’s about glorifying the leader."
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"In cults, grand public displays are used to distract from harm, suppress dissent, and demand loyalty. It’s not new, and it’s not normal in America. Authoritarian leaders use spectacle to create emotional highs that drown out critical thinking. Tanks, flags, and firepower become symbols of unquestioned obedience, not democracy," he continued.
"We have $45 million to spend on Trump's military parade but somehow we have to cut spending on healthcare and education for working families. Self-serving hypocrisy from the Grifter-in-Chief," wrote the nonprofit advocacy group, Public Citizen on its X account.
Andrew Mercado, a military veteran, wrote: "As a U.S. Army veteran, I am 100% against this so-called 'parade.' The U.S. military exists to defend our Constitution and protect this country from enemies, both foreign and domestic, not to be paraded around like a prop for Trump."
"Let’s be honest, this parade isn’t about the Army’s 250th. It’s about Trump hijacking a moment of military honor to celebrate his own birthday. Using military service and veterans’ sacrifice as a backdrop for personal glorification is disgraceful. This isn’t patriotism, it’s peak narcissism," wrote another army veteran.
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"Trumps $45 million military birthday parade is nothing more than a grandiose sense of self-importance. The media must stop enabling his narcissism," a user tweeted.
"How very North Korean," wrote another X account reacting to Trump's post.
