Donald Trump’s lavish military parade celebrating both his 79th birthday and 250 years of the U.S. Army has drawn widespread mockery online. Despite featuring tanks, aircraft, and over 6,000 troops—the largest such display since 1991—viewers criticized the “sloppy” marching, with some suggesting soldiers deliberately performed poorly as a protest. Social media users called it the “worst marching ever witnessed,” while others noted Trump appeared to doze off during the event. The White House claimed 250,000 attendees, but reports indicated a much smaller crowd.

The parade, estimated to cost $25–45 million, faced backlash as wasteful, with critics arguing troops shouldn’t be used for political spectacle. Meanwhile, lip readers claimed Melania playfully scolded Trump for joking about touching a soldier. Many online sympathized with the military, calling the event a “recruiting booth at Six Flags” rather than a display of strength. The spectacle reignited debates about Trump’s leadership and priorities, with detractors calling it an ego-driven