President Donald Trump confirmed Sunday that his administration is planning to host a “big, beautiful” military parade in Washington, D.C., on June 14 in honor of Flag Day. The president defended the cost of the military parade, which could be as high as $45 million, as “peanuts” compared to the value of celebrating America’s military.
During a Sunday interview on NBC News’ “Meet the Press,” the president told NBC moderator Kristen Welker that while his birthday “happens to be on Flag Day,” he views the D.C. military parade as a celebration of Flag Day.
“I view it for Flag Day, not necessarily my birthday,” Trump said. “Somebody put it together. But no, I think we’re going to do something on June 14 maybe or somewhere around there. But I think June 14. It’s a very important day.”
The Flag Day military parade in D.C. is also expected to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the United States Army. NBC News reported that U.S. defense officials told the outlet that the military parade could cost as much as $45 million and that U.S. Army units are expected to cover the cost of the celebration.
READ MORE: Trump planning DC military parade for Army’s 250th anniversary: Report
“We’re going to have a big, beautiful parade,” Trump told Welker during Sunday’s interview. Asked if it would be a “military parade,” Trump said, “Yeah, sure. We’re going to celebrate our military. We have the greatest military in the world.”
In response to Welker asking what the “price tag” would be for the military parade, the president said, “Peanuts compared to the value of doing it.”
“We have the greatest missiles in the world,” Trump added. “We have the greatest submarines in the world. We have the greatest army tanks in the world. We have the greatest weapons in the world. And we’re going to celebrate it.”
According to NBC News, a U.S. Army spokesman confirmed that the Trump administration’s military parade is expected to include roughly 6,600 soldiers. Defense officials with knowledge of the military parade planning explained that the parade is also expected to include over 50 aircraft and roughly 150 military vehicles, such as tanks, Humvees, and military trucks.
During Trump’s interview with NBC News, the president also indicated that he plans to host other events this year to celebrate America’s military.
“We had more to do with winning World War II than any other nation,” Trump said. “Why don’t we have a Victory Day? So we’re going to have a Victory Day for World War I and for World War II.”
“I think you can have two days,” Trump added. “This doesn’t mean we’re going to go and not work and have a national holiday and all of that, because we don’t have many of those days left.”
