As Washington gears up for a military parade this weekend to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Army, a new survey reveals that more U.S. adults approve of President Donald Trump’s decision to hold the event than disapprove, despite significant concerns regarding its cost, which officials estimate could reach tens of millions of taxpayer dollars.
The poll conducted by The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research shows that while approximately 4 in 10 U.S. adults express some level of approval for the parade, 6 in 10 respondents believe that it is ‘not a good use’ of government funds. This sentiment is particularly prevalent among Democrats and independents, with a stark majority voicing opposition to the allocation of resources for the event.
Carol Sue Quillen, a 69-year-old retiree from Live Oak, Florida, shared her perspective on the parade, underscoring its importance as a means of honoring service members, including her late father, an Air Force test pilot, and her son-in-law in the special forces. ‘I don’t necessarily think we appreciate our military as much as we should,’ Quillen stated, noting the significance of celebrating all branches of the military. Despite sharing her approval of the parade, she acknowledged that President Trump’s personality can be ‘a bit overwhelming.’
The parade, which promises to showcase hundreds of military vehicles and aircraft as well as thousands of soldiers, marks a significant elaboration on the initial celebration plans that began two years ago. Coincidentally, it also falls on Trump’s birthday. The Army estimates that attendance could reach up to 200,000 people, making this a marquee event for military appreciation alongside various festivities, including concerts and competitions throughout the National Mall.
While around two-thirds of Republicans approve of the event, a notable portion, roughly one-third, believes it represents a poor use of public funds. Democrats, however, largely assert that the parade is not worth the cost, with about half actively disapproving of the festivities. Independents exhibited mixed feelings, with roughly half neither approving nor disapproving, indicating a lower level of engagement with the parade’s discussions.
Some critics like Matt Wheeler, who works in nonprofit fundraising in Los Angeles, labeled the display as ‘extremely wasteful’ and compared it to historical military parades associated with authoritarian regimes, suggesting that it conveys an unsettling message regarding the militarization of U.S. politics under the current administration.
Sam Walters, a former conservative turned libertarian from Fort Worth, Texas, shared his perspective as someone who had previously supported Trump. He expressed concern about the rationale for additional spending related to military activities when the U.S. already maintains one of the highest defense budgets in the world. ‘When they’re getting hundreds of billions a year for funding, more than for anything else, it seems kind of hard to justify them spending extra for that,’ Walters remarked, highlighting skepticism about the parade’s additional costs.
The overall sentiment regarding military spending among Americans remains divided. Approximately 30% believe that the government is spending ‘too much’ on the military, while an equal proportion thinks it is ‘too little.’ About 40% feel that military spending is currently at an appropriate level, reflecting a stability in public opinion since polling was last conducted in January.
As President Trump’s approval rating remains steady at around 40%, this parade event coincides with his ongoing challenges in garnering widespread support for his policies, particularly in areas like immigration and economic management, where recent polls indicated higher disapproval rates.
Andrew Thomsen from Oklahoma City, who has consistently voted for Trump, articulated a nuanced viewpoint on the parade. While he appreciates its intent to honor military service, he questioned the necessity of an overt display of military strength. ‘If it is a march of rows and rows of members from our different branches while showboating our tanks, missile systems, and other equipment to show how strong we are, then I don’t support that,’ Thomsen expressed, reflecting broader concerns over the militarization of public celebrations.
The AP-NORC poll, conducted from June 5 to June 9, surveyed 1,158 adults, maintaining a margin of sampling error of plus or minus 4 percentage points. This timing coincided with significant national events, including protests regarding immigration policies and military deployments in Los Angeles. The survey did not, however, specifically address these emerging issues, leaving an intriguing gap in understanding the complexities of public opinion amid a contentious political climate.
The upcoming parade serves not only as a celebration of military history but also as a reflective point illustrating the ongoing divide within American society over issues of spending, military appreciation, and the administration’s broader agenda. The insights gleaned from this poll underscore a governmental and societal tension around the use of public funds, the nature of military displays, and the undercurrents of political affiliation shaping public perception.
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