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About TACO Man's Big Beautiful Birthday Parade... It's a trap. [1]

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Date: 2025-06-03

The 250th Anniversary of the United States Army is going to feature more than just a parade. There’s actually a week-long series of events starting on June 4. What’s getting attention however is the way convicted felon, draft dodger, and President Donald Trump is insisting on a parade that…

At 6:30 p.m. the Army Birthday Parade will celebrate the Army’s history and will feature Army equipment, flyovers and 6,600 Soldiers in uniforms from the past and the present. The parade’s best viewing area will be south of Constitution Avenue. The day will end with an enlistment and re-enlistment ceremony, a parachute demonstration by the Golden Knights and a fireworks display.

The cost of the parade is estimated to be $40 million, maybe $45. The U.S. Navy and the U.S. Marine Corps will also be turning 250 this year — but no parades for them.

Why is the Army getting a parade and they aren’t? It seems June 14 has someone else having a birthday — the putative Commander in Chief. Purely a coincidence the White House insists — and if you believe that, I hope there are responsible adults watching over you.

Now I have no problem with celebrating the military services and those who serve with honor. A normal president would certainly be expected to do something to commemorate significant events.

But Trump is not a normal president.

He’s a narcissistic sociopath who degrades everything he touches. If he and his crime family haven’t come up with ways to monetize the event, it would be a surprise. Given his 2025 speech to West Point graduates, what will happen on June 14 doesn’t bear thinking about. (Full transcript at the link — just skimming it is horrifying enough.)

What is certain is that Trump will make this all about him. He will use it to gloat over his enemies, lie about his achievements, and spew unhinged remarks.

So, what are Democrats supposed to do?

Do they show up and sit in the reviewing stand with Trump, effectively legitimizing him? Do they serve as props for the celebration of his turn as Great Leader? Do they sit there as targets of his dominance games, appearing weak and powerless? Do they excuse themselves by saying they’re only there to honor the Army? Will they sit there in silence if Trump insults them and calls them America-haters or worse? Will they hold up pathetic little signs? It will be a real test to see which Democratic leaders show up — and where/how they do.

If they do not choose to come, how will they deal with Republican charges that they hate the troops and disrespect the military? How will they respond to the media which will reflexively repeat Republican talking points? How will they answer claims that they are being divisive?

Damned if they do, damned if they don’t.

I’m getting the expected text appeals, calling on me to sign petitions to stop the parade — and donate money. A number of events are being planned to serve as counter-programming. Will the media cover them at all?

Will there be protestors? There are groups that appear to be organizing, though I think we can expect Homeland Security forces and a weaponized DOJ to be making plans. The administration is already refusing park permits to groups that want to show up in D.C. It’s not something new.

Trump is all show business — the entertaining-the-base president. Democrats really need to figure out how to steal the spotlight and counter-program. I would be thinking about inviting guests if attending — decorated veterans representing the groups Trump is targeting. Immigrants who have served in the military and gained citizenship. Decorated veterans who are trans, gay, whatever. Veterans with visible evidence of having sacrificed their bodies in service to the country, the kind of people Trump calls losers. Guests who can show that DEI makes the military — and the country — stronger.

Imagine if Bruce Springsteen and Taylor Swift did a surprise concert on the Mall.

I’m just spitballing here. What can be done to disrupt Trump’s image as the strong leader totally dominating all he surveys? If anyone has ideas to bring up, or knows of efforts to put up strong counter messages, please share in comments.

Just handing out coupons for Taco Bell to the crowd would be a start.

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