President Donald Trump’s military parade in Washington, D.C., held on Saturday, June 14, was a lavish display marking the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Army, but it was also a lightning rod for controversy. While officially tied to the semiquincentennial commemorations led by the nonprofit America250, the event drew fire for coinciding with Trump’s 79th birthday and for its multimillion-dollar price tag.
Despite the backlash, the parade secured sponsorships from major corporations. America250 had announced that companies like Oracle, Lockheed Martin, Palantir, Coinbase, and Amazon contributed to the broader commemorative efforts. Oracle and Lockheed Martin confirmed their direct sponsorship of the military parade, with the latter calling it a “momentous occasion.” Exiger, an AI-driven supply chain company, also backed the event.
The parade featured military bands, tank displays, fireworks, and flyovers, echoing past shows of force admired by Trump. Additional corporate sponsors listed by America250 included Coca-Cola; energy drink Phorm Energy (from Anheuser-Busch); Scott’s Miracle-Gro; and Stellantis brands Chrysler, Jeep, Ram, and Dodge. However, some companies distanced themselves from the parade itself, noting their support was aimed at other America250 initiatives.
6,600 soldiers, 150 vehicle, 50 aircrafts prepared for Trump’s 79th birthday parade, it coincides with…
FedEx clarified that while it had supported America250, its contributions did not fund the June 14 parade. Walmart, which donated $500,000, emphasised its funds went toward the U.S. Army’s National Museum Revolutionary War exhibit and youth military programs. The retail giant did, however, provide bottled water for parade attendees.
Meta, previously listed as a sponsor in America250 materials, confirmed it ended its relationship with the organisation in 2022. At the time, four former female employees had filed a lawsuit against America250, alleging cronyism, mismanagement, and a toxic work environment. One of the plaintiffs raised concerns over a proposed $10 million donation from Meta that was allegedly linked to the company gaining drone access to map national parks. That lawsuit was settled in 2024.
Established through bipartisan legislation in 2016, America250 was tasked with organising events to mark 250 years of U.S. independence. Its commission has included high-profile political figures such as Attorney General Pam Bondi, Interior Secretary Doug Burgum, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, and Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Democratic lawmakers were also involved, including Sen. Alex Padilla, who was recently escorted out of a press event after interrupting Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem.