Fact Check: "The Army is for the most part footing the bill for the parade"
What We Know
The military parade scheduled for June 14, 2025, to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Army and coincide with President Donald Trump's 79th birthday, is estimated to cost taxpayers between $25 million and $45 million. According to an Army spokesperson, this cost includes various expenses such as soldiers' meals, road repairs, and other logistical needs associated with the parade (BBC).
The Army has indicated that the majority of the funding for the parade will come from taxpayer dollars, making it clear that "it's your money paying for almost all of it" (NBC Washington). Specifically, the Army has budgeted $16 million for road repairs in Washington, D.C., as the heavy military vehicles could damage the streets not designed to handle such loads (NBC News).
Analysis
The claim that "the Army is for the most part footing the bill for the parade" is substantiated by multiple sources indicating that the financial burden will largely fall on taxpayers. The Army's own estimates confirm that the total cost of the parade will be covered by public funds, with significant portions allocated for road repairs and soldier expenses (NBC Washington, CBS News).
While some reports mention that individual Army units may bear certain costs, the overarching financial responsibility lies with the federal budget, which is funded by taxpayer dollars (NBC News). This indicates that while there may be some division of costs, the primary funding source is indeed the Army's budget, which is ultimately taxpayer-funded.
The reliability of the sources used in this analysis is high, as they include major news outlets and official statements from the Army. However, it's important to note that the framing of the costs can vary slightly depending on the source, with some emphasizing the potential for reimbursement from local governments for certain expenses, such as police overtime (NBC Washington). Nonetheless, the consensus remains that the bulk of the financial responsibility falls on taxpayers.
Conclusion
Verdict: True
The claim that "the Army is for the most part footing the bill for the parade" is accurate. The financial burden of the parade, estimated to be between $25 million and $45 million, will primarily be covered by taxpayer dollars, as confirmed by multiple credible sources. The Army's budget, which is funded by the public, will cover the majority of the costs associated with the event.
Sources
- What to expect at Trump's military parade and 'No Kings' protests
- How much will the DC military parade cost? Here's a tally
- 5 things $45 million could pay for instead of military parade
- Army parade on Flag Day, Trump's birthday could cost up to $45 million
- Army estimates that Trump's military parade could cost $16 million damage streets DC
- Trump's military parade receives financial backing from Big Tech
- Leaders defend spending as much as $45 million for Army's 250th anniversary parade
- Trump defends the high price tag for his military parade
