As Washington gears up for a military parade to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Army, a recent survey indicates that more U.S. adults approve of President Donald Trump's decision to hold the event than disapprove. However, despite this approval, about 60% of Americans believe that the parade is "not a good use" of government funds. This sentiment is particularly strong among Democrats and independents, with a significant portion indicating that they either disapprove of the parade or have neutral feelings about it.
The poll, conducted by The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research, reveals that approximately 40% of U.S. adults "somewhat" or "strongly" approve of the event, while around 30% "somewhat" or "strongly" disapprove. The survey found that about 30% of respondents neither approve nor disapprove of the parade.
Carol Sue Quillen, a 69-year-old resident of Live Oak, Florida, expressed her support for the parade as a way to honor military service members. She noted her personal connections to the military, including her late father, an Air Force test pilot, and her son-in-law who serves in special forces. Quillen believes that recognizing the contributions of all branches of the military is important for morale.
While many Republicans, approximately two-thirds, approve of the military parade and consider it a good use of taxpayer money, a considerable portion, about one-third, disagrees. Conversely, Democrats overwhelmingly criticize the parade as a misuse of public funds, and independents demonstrate mixed reactions, with half expressing neutrality towards the event.
Critics like Matt Wheeler, a 40-year-old nonprofit fundraiser from Los Angeles, described the military parade as "extremely wasteful" and compared it to displays seen in authoritarian regimes like the USSR or North Korea. He expressed concern that such overt military displays are not representative of American values.
Amid the debate over the parade's appropriateness, some, like Sam Walters, a 45-year-old in Fort Worth, Texas, question the justification for additional funding for military-related activities, given existing military expenditures. Walters, who has shifted from conservative to libertarian views, remarked that it seems excessive to allocate more money for the parade when the military already receives substantial financial support.
Overall, Americans are divided on whether government spending on the military is too high or too low. Approximately 30% of people believe military spending is excessive, while a similar percentage thinks it is inadequate. About 40% feel that current spending levels are appropriate, a trend consistent with previous surveys conducted earlier in the year.
Trump's approval ratings, as per the same poll, indicate that about 40% of Americans approve of his job performance as president, showing no significant change from prior measurements. The survey was conducted from June 5 to 9, capturing public sentiment before and after high-profile incidents in Los Angeles relating to Trump's immigration policies.
As the country prepares for the parade on June 11, 2025, which will coincide with Trump’s birthday, there will be various festivities, including military displays, concerts, and other entertainment events designed to attract an audience projected at around 200,000 attendees. The estimated costs for the celebration may range between $25 million to $45 million.
