Trump military parade live: President slams cost critics as celebrations get underway amid radical No King protests

President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump arrived at Saturday’s 250th anniversary for the U.S. Army, which also coincides with the president’s 78th birthday.

Melania sported a cream pinstripe suit for the occasion.

The president and first lady arrived as the first drops of rain started falling, after Washington, D.C.’s possible bad weather held off all day, though with thunderstorms still predicted for later Saturday night.

The president dismissed critics who slammed the parade’s multi-million dollar price tag, saying:

‘A lot of that money is being paid for by me and people who make donations. A lot of it won’t even come out of the military,’ he said. ‘Not that it’s necessary because I think it’s a great expenditure.’

By Judi James, body language expert

Was that Marco Rubio sitting grim-faced with one arm hooked over the back of his chair, letting out a huge sigh to suggest boredom????

Trump’s levels of enthusiasm are increasing. He’s now standing to salute in a frozen pose for long periods of time and has invented a new form of military greeting where he salutes with his right hand and performs a low air-punch with his left, suggesting a very strong desire to both honor and connect with the troops in a friendlier gesture of support.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio and his wife Jeanette, arrive before President Donald Trump attends a military parade commemorating the Army’s 250th anniversary, coinciding with his 79th birthday, Saturday, June 14, 2025, in Washington.

Saturday’s parade was set up to showcase the history of the Army, with the earliest period uniforms going first.

That means the 1st Cavalry Division – including its mascot Doc Holliday, a two year old blue heeler – was near the beginning of the pack.

The flyovers started during the World War II era, as Jeeps rolled down Constitution Avenue.

Military vehicles line the Memorial Bridge during a military parade commemorating the 250 anniversary of the United States Army in Washington, DC, USA, 14 June 2025.

Parade participants drive a U.S. military jeep in the 250th birthday parade on June 14, 2025 in Washington, DC.

Members of the U.S Army driving in a Sherman tank participate in the 250th birthday parade on June 14, 2025 in Washington, DC.

US President Donald Trump (C-R) watches as an M4 Sherman tank drives past during the Army 250th Anniversary Parade from the Ellipse in Washington, DC on June 14, 2025. Trump’s long-held dream of a parade will come true as nearly 7,000 troops plus dozens of tanks and helicopters rumble through the capital in an event officially marking the 250th anniversary of the US army which also coincides with President Donald Trump’s 79th birthday.

Private Doc Holliday, mascot from the 1st Cavalry Division Horse Detachment, rides with a parade participant in the 250th birthday parade on June 14, 2025 in Washington, DC.

By Victoria Churchill, U.S. Political Reporter In Washington, D.C.

Pennsylvania Democrat John Fetterman celebrated the U.S. Army’s 250th Birthday Parade as it rolled through Washington, D.C. Saturday.

Fetterman is one member of his political party who has not been afraid to buck the popular line of thinking from leadership, and has occasionally sided with Trump on issues, even dining with him at Mar-A-Lago earlier this year.

Tonight’s displays of military might at the Washington, D.C. parade celebrating the Army’s 250th Birthday were not the only thing catching the eye of viewers.

There were some attendees, however, who seemingly missed the mark with a series of fashion faux pas – including Don Jr‘s girlfriend Bettina Anderson.

Here, FEMAIL has rounded up the best and worst looks from today’s event.

By Nikki Schwab, Chief Campaign Correspondent

The inspiration for the military parade dates back to the beginning of Trump’s first term – when he was invited by French President Emmanuel Macron to the July 2017 Bastille Day celebrations, which also marked the U.S.’s 100th anniversary of entering World War I, which Allied forces won.

The president pushed for a military parade during his first term, but was unsuccessful due to cost concerns – the federal government would be on the hook for repairing D.C.’s roadways from any damages the tanks would incur.

He did the next best thing – he moved the annual Fourth of July celebration from the White House’s South Lawn to the steps of the Lincoln Memorial.

Tanks were used to decorate Trump’s 2019 ‘Salute to America.’

The Blue Angels, Air Force One and other military aircraft flew over the National Mall – which is usually restricted airspace.

On the campaign trail leading up to the 2024 election, Trump promised supporters that he would plan a grand celebration for the country’s 250th birthday – July 4, 2026.

Saturday’s parade marks the start of that celebration, as the U.S. Army was formed more than a year before the Declaration of Independence was signed.

By Nikki Schwab, Chief Campaign Correspondent

There will be tanks, parachute jumps, flyovers and, of course, a cameo from MAGA crooner Lee Greenwood.

But the star of Saturday’s military parade marking the Army’s 250th anniversary – and President Donald Trump’s birthday – could be a two-year-old Blue Heeler named Private Doc Holliday.

This dog named Doc – named after Wyatt Earp’s buddy made famous by the 1881 O.K. Corral shootout portrayed in the movie Tombstone – is part of the Texas-based 1st Cavalry Division of the U.S. Army.

By Nikki Schwab, Chief Campaign Correspondent

The parade, which is expected to kick off at 6:30 p.m., will showcase the evolution of the Army, using period uniforms and vintage equipment, including a World War Two-era B-25 bomber.

Bradley Fighting Vehicles, M1A2/Abrams tanks – which weigh approximately 68 tons – and Strykers are among those being showcased in the parade.

Last week the Army Corps of Engineers started putting down metal plating on the street in the areas where the large vehicles would need to turn in order to preserve the District’s streets.

One special moment that’s expected is when the 1st Cavalry Division walks in the parade.

At its conclusion, the Army’s Golden Knight parachutists will jump down to the Ellipse and hand to Trump the folded American flag.

After that, MAGA crooner Lee Greenwood and others will perform onstage at the Ellipse – and to end the night, there will be a fireworks show over the National Mall.

By Nikki Schwab, Chief Campaign Correspondent

It was supposed to be a celebration – but it’s also teasing America’s military might.

President Donald Trump’s massive parade marking the 250th birthday of the U.S. Army is expected to go ahead as planned Saturday evening, amid ongoing strikes between Israel and Iran – and looming fears of an escalation into World War III.

What could stop it is the weather, as lightning in the area would push the Pentagon to delay the planned march down Constitution Avenue, which includes flyovers and parachute jumps.

Saturday morning Trump insisted it was happening, despite thunderstorm concerns.

‘OUR GREAT MILITARY PARADE IS ON, RAIN OR SHINE. REMEMBER, A RAINY DAY PERADE BRINGS GOOD LUCK. I’LL SEE YOU ALL IN D.C.’ he wrote on Truth Social. He fixed the spelling of ‘perade’ in a second post.

It will be the first time the streets of the capital have been swamped with soldiers in since a celebration of the end of the Gulf War in 1991.

The celebration falls on Trump’s 79th birthday, but he has denied accusations the event is to mark his own milestone.

He will still be front-and-center.

By Victoria Churchill, U.S. Political Reporter In Washington, D.C.

At a press conference on Saturday morning, the Minnesota State Patrol urged people in the state not to attend planned anti-Trump protests until the suspect or suspects in the shooting are apprehended, fearing the demonstrations could be targeted.

Authorities shared an image on social media showing flyers for the ‘NO KINGS’ rallies planned to coincide with Donald Trump’s birthday parade, which they said they found in a vehicle belleved to be linked to the shootings.

By Nikki Schwab, Chief Campaign Correspondent

President Donald Trump revealed Saturday afternoon that Russian President Vladimir Putin called him to wish him a ‘happy birthday’ as the president turns 79.

‘President Putin called this morning to very nicely wish me a Happy Birthday, but to more importantly, talk about Iran, a country he knows very well,’ the president posted to Truth Social.

By Victoria Churchill, U.S. Political Reporter In Washington, D.C.

Daily Mail is live on the National Mall for the military parade to commemorate the 250th birthday of the U.S. Army.

Renowned music artist Lee Greenwood was seen warming up his vocals on stage Saturday afternoon.

Greenwood’s ‘God Bless The USA’ was a staple of President Trump’s political events on the campaign trail last year.

By Victoria Churchill, U.S. Political Reporter In Washington, D.C.

A group of U.S. veterans were arrested outside of the United States Capitol in Washington, D.C. on Friday evening.

They gathered to protest the military parade set to take place on the National Mall on Saturday evening.