Fact Check: The parade is expected to cost the government at least $25 million.

Fact Check: "The parade is expected to cost the government at least $25 million."

What We Know

The claim regarding the cost of the military parade is based on estimates provided by Army officials. According to multiple sources, including NPR and CBS News, the total cost of the parade and associated festivities is projected to be between $25 million and $45 million. This estimate includes expenses related to the parade itself and the necessary repairs to Washington D.C. streets, which are not designed to accommodate heavy military vehicles like tanks (BBC).

The Army spokesperson, Heather J. Hagan, confirmed these figures, indicating that part of the budget would be allocated for infrastructure repairs due to the potential damage caused by the parade (NPR, CBS News).

Analysis

The claim that the parade will cost at least $25 million is supported by credible sources, including official statements from the Army. The range of $25 million to $45 million is consistently reported across various reputable outlets, such as NBC Washington and Axios. This consistency lends credibility to the claim, as it is not based on a single source but rather corroborated by multiple reports.

However, it is important to note that while the lower estimate of $25 million is confirmed, the upper limit of $45 million introduces variability. The final cost may fluctuate based on several factors, including unforeseen expenses or changes in the event's scale. Additionally, some critics have raised concerns about the appropriateness of spending such amounts on a military display, suggesting that it may not be a good use of government funds (Axios).

The sources used for this analysis are generally reliable, being established news organizations with a history of accurate reporting. However, the potential for bias exists, particularly in the framing of the parade as a "vanity project" by some critics (NPR).

Conclusion

The claim that "the parade is expected to cost the government at least $25 million" is Partially True. While the lower estimate of $25 million is accurate and supported by multiple credible sources, the overall cost could reach as high as $45 million. Therefore, the claim is true in part but lacks specificity regarding the upper limit of the estimate.

Sources

1. What to expect at Trump's military parade and 'No Kings' protests
2. By the numbers: This weekend's big military parade in D.C.
3. Trump's military parade in DC: Here's what to know
4. What to know about Trump's Army anniversary parade on Flag Day
5. Here’s the cost and scale of the Army’s birthday military parade
6. Trump's military parade is not a good use of government funds
7. Washington, DC, Military Parade Tests Local Infrastructure
8. Fact Check Team: DC military parade to feature troops and tanks