‘A Small Price To Celebrate America’s Greatness’: Trump Champions $45 Million Military Parade

President Donald Trump is defending the price tag for his planned Flag Day military parade, calling the $45 million estimate “peanuts” compared to the value of honoring America’s military might and national pride.

In a wide-ranging interview aired Sunday on NBC News’ Meet the Press, Trump outlined his plans to celebrate Flag Day — which also happens to be his birthday — with a “big, beautiful” military parade in Washington, D.C. The event is also set to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Army.

President Trump plans to commemorate Flag Day, which also happens to fall on his birthday, with a “big, beautiful” military parade in Washington, D.C

Defense officials say the estimated cost could be as high as $45 million.

Trump says it would be worth it.…

— NBC News (@NBCNews) May 4, 2025

“My birthday happens to be on Flag Day,” Trump told host Kristen Welker during the interview at Mar-a-Lago. “I view it for Flag Day, not necessarily my birthday… But 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.”

Defense officials told NBC News that the cost of the event could be $45 million. “Peanuts compared to the value of doing it,” he said. “We have the greatest missiles in the world. We have the greatest submarines in the world. We have the greatest army tanks in the world. And we’re going to celebrate it.”

The celebration is expected to include more than 6,600 soldiers, over 50 military aircraft, and roughly 150 military vehicles, including tanks, Humvees, and other equipment. Trump’s supporters view the event as a long-overdue patriotic display that showcases the strength and legacy of the U.S. armed forces. (RELATED: ‘Historic Recruiting Numbers’: DOD Recaps First 100 Days Under Hegseth And Collaboration With DOGE)

But the parade is only part of a larger set of commemorations Trump said he intends to lead this year. He revealed plans to establish national “Victory Days” recognizing U.S. triumphs in both World War I and World War II — inspired by France’s annual celebrations and conversations with President Emmanuel Macron.

“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.”

Trump made clear that he is not calling for new federal holidays. “This doesn’t mean we’re going to go and not work and have a national holiday and all of that,” he said. “Eventually our country will become all national holidays.”

When asked for more specifics, Trump pivoted back to Flag Day, emphasizing the parade as the centerpiece of this year’s patriotic events.