Hillary Clinton mocked Donald Trump over the low attendance at his extravagant military parade over the weekend.
The military parade on June 14 marked both the U.S. Army’s 250th anniversary and Trump’s 79th birthday.
The White House has claimed more than 250,000 people attended Trump’s military parade, but independent estimates have suggested the number was closer to 200,000.
Highlights
- Hillary Clinton mocked Trump's "low-energy" military parade held on his 79th birthday, highlighting its sparse attendance.
- The White House claimed 250,000 attended the parade celebrating the U.S. Army’s 250th anniversary, but independent estimates suggest fewer than 200,000.
- More than 5 million people joined the No Kings protests nationwide on the same day, opposing Trump’s policies.
Hillary Clinton has criticized Donald Trump’s military parade, which was held on his 79th birthday
Image credits: Andrew Harnik/Getty Images
Spectators also described the crowds as sparse and underwhelming.
“Amazing. Despite the threat of rain, over 250,000 patriots showed up to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the @USArmy,” Director of Communications Steven Cheung posted on X.
“God Bless the USA!”
Trump also told reporters it was a “tremendous success” but had a dig at scientists for predicting rain, claiming this meant they could not predict the future climate.
“If they gave it a 100% chance of rain – it was going to rain like crazy – and it didn’t rain at all, how do they predict 100 years out, 50 years out, or 200 years out?
“They didn’t do too well the weather people last night.”
It came on the same day as thousands of ‘No Kings’ demonstrations were held across the country to protest Trump’s policies and actions since he took office in January.
According to the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), which co-sponsored the protests, more than 5 million people attended 2,100 demonstrations across the country.
At one protest in Salt Lake City, Utah, Arthur Folasa Ah Loo, 39, was fatally shot after a volunteer peacekeeper fired at a man brandishing a rifle.
The gunfire struck Ah Loo, an innocent bystander, who later died in the hospital.
Protests in Minnesota were canceled after the murder of Democratic Representative Melissa Hortman and her husband Mark, and the attempted murder of Senator John Hoffman and his wife Yvette.
About 5 million people are believed to have protested over the weekend
Image credits: Nathan Morris/NurPhoto via Getty Images
However, thousands of people still showed up to take part.
Sharing images from Trump’s parade and from a packed protest in L.A., Clinton highlighted the contrast between the crowds.
“Compare and contrast scenes from yesterday in America. On the one hand, Trump’s low-energy Dear Leader parade (that cost you $45 million),” she wrote.
“On the other, millions of people across the country gathering peacefully to say: Here, we have no kings.”
The parade, estimated to cost between $25 million and $45 million, featured about 6,600 soldiers, 150 vehicles, and 50 aircraft.
Critics condemned the event for its high cost and accused it of politicizing the military.
Its timing also drew backlash, as it coincided with Trump’s birthday, fueling claims that it was more a personal celebration than a national commemoration.
Trump had described the parade as “great” in a Truth Social post as he sent his thanks to the U.S. Army.
Image credits: Dominik Bindl/Getty Images
He has, so far, not acknowledged the No Kings protests on his social media platform.
“In America, we don’t do Kings,” a statement on the No Kings website reads.
“They’ve defied our courts, deported Americans, disappeared people off the streets, attacked our civil rights, and slashed our services.
“The corruption has gone too far. No thrones. No crowns. No kings.”
Trump sent 4,000 National Guard troops to L.A. over anti-ICE protests
Image credits: The White House
Deirdre Schifeling of the ACLU said: “Today’s protests are a resounding message that people across the nation will not be intimidated by President Trump’s fear tactics.”
“Americans are brave, democracy-loving people and will not sit idly by as the Trump administration feeds our Constitution into the shredder — nor will the ACLU.”
The protests come after Trump’s decision to send 4,000 National Guard troops to L.A. against the wishes of California Governor Gavin Newsom in response to anti-ICE protests.
Image credits: The White House
Demonstrations broke out over a week ago in response to extensive Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids at workplaces in and around the city.
Trump initially federalized 2,000 National Guard troops but then deployed another 2,000, alongside 700 active-duty Marines.
Newsom had launched a legal challenge to return control of the National Guard to him, and while a federal judge granted this, an appeals court blocked it.
A further hearing on the matter is scheduled for Tuesday.