On Saturday, the streets of Washington, D.C., were transformed into a grand spectacle. The event marked the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Army and also coincided with Trump’s 79th birthday. His team planned it as a moment of pride. But very few people showed up to watch.
Photos from the parade showed long stretches of empty ground. Barricades lined the streets. Security was everywhere. But the crowd was missing. The cheers were light. The walkways were quiet.
Tiny crowd at Trump’s military parade. Quite the turnout…
SAD!pic.twitter.com/NcNvEjw4rF
— Republicans against Trump (@RpsAgainstTrump) June 14, 2025
Trump waved to the military vehicles and accepted a folded flag. He stood before the cameras and smiled. But the atmosphere felt flat. Many who saw the images online had the same thought: this was not the big crowd Trump had hoped for.
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At the same time, people across the country were gathering for something very different.
Protests erupted in cities such as New York, Philadelphia, Chicago, and Los Angeles. These “No Kings” protests were planned to coincide with the parade on the same day. They were organized by people who believe Trump acts more like a ruler than a president.
The difference was hard to miss. While D.C. remained mostly empty, photos from protest sites showed streets and parks filled with people. Some marchers held signs that read, “We the people have no king” and “Hands off our democracy.”
People online were quick to compare the two scenes. Some pointed out that the protesters outnumbered the parade crowd by a far margin.
LOL! That’s embarrassing. No one showed up to lil’ Donny’s birthday.. 😂
— Michael Mugumbo (@Areola_Mike) June 14, 2025
Practically empty…ha ha ha!
— Marianne (@Marianne_1960) June 14, 2025
I had more people for dinner tonight
— Kay Hess (@KayHess11) June 14, 2025
I’m not surprised lol.
— A. Osayamwen (@boo32985) June 14, 2025
This cost us 50 million?
— Matt Fortgang (@mattfortgang1) June 14, 2025
Is this really it?!! Oh please let this be true 🙏
— Bibi (@GilesBid91902) June 14, 2025
remember, Trump had to pay $1,000 in crypto for people to attend his bday party parade
— BrainDr (@NeuropainDr) June 14, 2025
There are more people at the No Kings march in Boise
— Jeff Richmond (@Jeff_Richmond) June 14, 2025
Just family and friends party?!
— Veda Konduru (@vedakonduru) June 14, 2025
Sad!
— John Gentile (@john_gentile) June 14, 2025
This makes me sooooo HAPPY 😊😁
— wtafisgoingon 🇨🇦🇺🇦🇨🇳 (@wtafisgoingon24) June 14, 2025
I’ve seen bigger picnics
— Mason (@masonisonx) June 14, 2025
The parade came at a high cost. Reports say it may have cost between $25 million and $45 million. Many people questioned why that money was used for a parade while other parts of the country were struggling.
Even the weather seemed uncertain. Clouds moved in, and the sky turned gray. But the event went on.
Still, the silence of the crowd spoke louder than the noise of the machines.
Featured image via X screengrab