Mar 22, 2025; Philadelphia, PA, USA; President Donald Trump during the Division I Men's Wrestling Championship held at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-Imagn Images
Washington D.C. – Former President Donald Trump has announced plans to hold a “big, beautiful” military parade in Washington, D.C. on Flag Day, June 14 — a date that also coincides with his birthday. The event is part of a broader effort to celebrate U.S. military strength and wartime victories throughout the year.
In an interview with NBC News’ Meet the Press moderator Kristen Welker, Trump said the parade would commemorate Flag Day rather than his birthday, but acknowledged the significance of the shared date. “Somebody put it together,” he said. “But I think we’re going to do something on June 14 maybe or somewhere around there. It’s a very important day.”
The parade is expected to be one of the largest in recent history. According to defense officials, it could cost up to $45 million and involve 6,600 soldiers, more than 50 aircraft, and 150 military vehicles. The cost would be borne by individual Army units, potentially affecting training budgets. Despite concerns, Trump defended the expense, calling it “peanuts compared to the value of doing it.”
“We have the greatest missiles in the world… the greatest submarines… the greatest weapons,” Trump said. “And we’re going to celebrate it.”
In addition to the Flag Day parade, the event will also mark the 250th birthday of the U.S. Army.
Trump also expressed interest in commemorating American victories in World War I and World War II with dedicated “Victory Days.” He cited a conversation with French President Emmanuel Macron as inspiration. “We had more to do with winning World War II than any other nation,” Trump recalled. “Why don’t we have a Victory Day?” He suggested two separate days of recognition but emphasized they would not be new federal holidays.
Currently, the U.S. marks the end of World War I on November 11, known as Veterans Day, and World War II on September 2, the day Japan surrendered.
Beyond military celebrations, Trump revealed plans to renovate the White House, including replacing grass in the Rose Garden with stone to prevent muddy conditions during formal events. “We had the prime minister of India here… the women were walking out with their shoes full of mud,” he said.
He also plans to build a ballroom in the East Wing to host foreign dignitaries, replacing existing meeting rooms. Trump said he would personally fund the project, noting his experience as a real estate developer. “It will be something really beautiful, top of the line,” he said.
