Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton had social media users cackling after she posted side-by-side photos showing turnout for the military parade Donald Trump threw to celebrate his 79th birthday (as well as the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Army) versus that of the nationwide anti-Trump protests that were scheduled the same day.
Demonstrators flooded streets in cities across the country as part of the “No Kings” movement, which organizers claimed drew millions to rallies in hundreds of locations. In cities like New York, Chicago, Denver, Austin, and Los Angeles, lively crowds marched in unison, many carrying signs and banners rejecting Trump and his brand of authoritarianism.
Meanwhile, Trump remained in the capital for a military celebration marking the Army’s 250th anniversary, which coincided with his birthday. The Army was set to have a modest celebration of their own, but Trump turned it into a $45 million spectacle complete with helicopters and Abrams tanks, the damage from which was estimated to cost $16 million.
Tens of thousands are estimated to have attended the parade and related festivities, but compared to the millions of people nationwide who came out against the Trump administration, the military parade was a dud—not great for a president openly obsessed with crowd size.
Compare this photo of parade attendees to the one just below it, which shows thousands of people jamming the streets of Los Angeles to protest Trump amid ongoing demonstrations against his administration's immigration raids.
@HillaryClinton/X
@HillaryClinton/X
Below you can see another shot of parade attendees who are considerably spread out against the backdrop of the Washington Monument versus a photo below of the huge turnout for an anti-Trump demonstration in Houston, Texas.
@HillaryClinton/X
@HillaryClinton/X
Despite shutting down large portions of central Washington, D.C., closing major roads, and reportedly costing up to $45 million, the much-hyped display of American military power failed to attract the massive crowds the administration had hoped.
With this in mind, Clinton issued a cutting response to troll Trump's "low-energy Dear Leader" affair:
"Compare and contrast scenes from yesterday in America. On the one hand, Trump's low-energy Dear Leader parade (that cost you $45 million). On the other, millions of people across the country gathering peacefully to say: Here, we have no kings."
You can see her post below.
Many loved Clinton's snark and couldn't help laughing at Trump in response.
Ever since witnessing a Bastille Day parade in Paris during his first term, Trump had openly pushed for a similar military showcase in the United States.
Well, it finally happened—but The Guardian, among other publications, confirmed that "the crowd was on the smaller side, given the magnitude of the event."
The outlet noted that "the mood at the actual army parade was cordial enough, in part because the overwhelming majority of attendees seemed to be either Trump supporters, military families or mostly apolitical daytrippers who just wanted to see a parade."
Compounding the parade’s troubles, the event appeared poorly organized. Trash bins were scarce and quickly overflowed, exits were limited, and food options were minimal—just a few food trucks, each with dozens of people in line.
