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Trump's Birthday Bash: $50M Parade Amid GOP Boycott

6/12/2025

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Trump Hosts Parade

On his 79th birthday, Donald Trump is set to host a lavish $50 million military parade in Washington, D.C., honoring the Army's 250th anniversary. Yet, notable GOP leaders are opting out of the celebration. Simultaneously, Trump faces backlash for sending National Guard troops to Los Angeles in response to immigration raid protests, igniting tensions with local officials.

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Walton Funds Protests

Christy Walton, the Walmart heiress, sparked controversy by funding a New York Times ad for the "No Kings" protests against Trump, timed with his birthday and a military parade. With 1,500 protests planned across the nation, Trump threatened a fierce backlash, while his supporters labeled Walton a "traitor" and urged a boycott of Walmart.

History

Historical Context

The first large-scale anti-Vietnam War protests in the U.S. occurred in 1971, drawing over 250,000 demonstrators to Washington, D.C. This civil unrest mirrors today's political divisions, as protests against Donald Trump are planned nationwide. The backlash against Trump's military parade and funding for anti-Trump ads underscores the lasting influence of protest culture on American political discourse.

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Trump Hosts Parade

On his 79th birthday, Donald Trump is set to host a lavish $50 million military parade in Washington, D.C., honoring the Army's 250th anniversary. Yet, notable GOP leaders are opting out of the celebration. Simultaneously, Trump faces backlash for sending National Guard troops to Los Angeles in response to immigration raid protests, igniting tensions with local officials.

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