I've just been inspired by some comments to do a review of the bone spurs. It's pretty bizarre.
When Trump registered for the draft, he listed under "Identifying Characteristics", "birth marks" on both heels. Is that not weird?
Can you imagine someone mistaking bone spurs for "birth marks"? Somehow the minor skin colourations became calcium deposits on the heels of a young man - which I found totally unbelievable just on that basis.
Trump is quoted in this paper as saying, “Over a period of time, it healed up."
This is bizarre. A calcium deposit - by it's definition - is a mass that is building up, it doesn't just come and go. This was a simple, blatant lie - you know, of course it was a blatant lie.
Understanding Trump's motives for anything is easy - his only motivation is self-interest. That's it. Trump believes that the only thing in life that is important is himself. He is a deeply disturbed person - and it's obvious beyond argument.
The people who are responsible for setting public opinion in the United States are simply too scared and cowardly to confront this fact. When the word "unprecedented" is used about a president on a daily basis, people need to understand that it is the reality that anything is possible with Trump.
I keep howling from the wilderness that Trump is planning a nuclear war with Iran so he can run for re-election as a "war president". I defy any serious person to argue that on the basis of experience, this is not a reasonable prediction.
2
Avoiding military service is a Trump Family tradition. Donald Trump's grandfather, Friedrich, immigated to the U.S. from Germany in 1885 without first carrying out his military service. When he attempted to resettle in Germany in 1905, he was kicked out of Germany for failing to complete mandatory service.
https://www.aol.com/article/news/2016/11/22/donald-trumps-grandfather-wa...
Donald Trump's father, Fred (1909-1999), also avoided military service, as did ALL of his sons - Fred Jr. (1938-1981)
Donald (1946-present) & Robert (1948-present).
Donald Trump's adult sons Donald, Jr. (1977-present) & Eric (1984-present) have both avoided serving in the military.
Not a single male member of the Trump family has ever served in the U.S. Military. So much for supporting the armed forces.
1
Jim Mattis says" "“I’m not dignifying that number with a reply". I'm sorry, General, but yes, you will dignify this number. This is OUR money you are spending to play to the vanity of the president, therefore you SHOULD dignify the number. Who do you think you work for?
55
Trump* good decision #1.
15
Why on earth does not the self proclaimed billionaire come up with the $100 million himself? Is he not a Louis Bonaparte replicant complete with the built in farce?
32
Trump makes one good decision in his presidency to date...yea.
20
Trump cancelled it after the pentagon cancelled it to save face. I wonder what the real reason was because the president will tantrum bigly
17
In "War without End," the August 8 NYT Magazine cover story, Sergeant Cox, later killed in Afghanistan, hosted a party at his home at Fort Hood---a duplex so dilapidated, Cox referred to it as "government slum."
Let's redirect some of the money Trump was willing to spend on his childish military parade to our soldiers. Why are we providing substandard housing to the men and women who lay down their lives for our country?
What does this say about Trump's need to glorify "his" military, and what does it say about us as a nation? All those Republican bumper stickers---"Support our troops"? Well, then let's do it.
43
When do we get to scrape our Golden Barnacle off the ship of state? Somehow we need to pull that ship out of the polluted waters the president has charted a course through and get on with the business of actually running the country.
17
Not only are there so much better ways to use this money to honor our veterans and current service members as so many commenters have pointed out, but also, one less way to add to the division already present in our country.
I saw this event unfolding with Trump's loyal supporters cheering along the parade route while another group of citizens protested this unnecessary display of military might. Then would come Trump's tweet about how "unpatriotic and disrespectful to our military the protesters are". I hope our history loving president is aware that our country was founded by "protesters" of the King's misuse of authority .
Also from our history: " A house divided against itself cannot stand." So President Trump: What have you done to "unit" rather than further " divide" us?
16
I saw one of these military parades in Paris on a July 14th while I was stationed in France. It was a tradition there. But for Trump, a military parade was only another of his show business stunts.
19
Best news in a long time. However the proposal that coal states be allowed to set their own rules re emissions must rank as one of the most dangerous to the planet. Here on the East coast we suffer from the pollution created by those coal states. So on balance yet another bad news day.
17
"Several administration officials described a sort of sticker shock after seeing a Pentagon estimate that soared as high as $92 million to pay for the troops, fighter jets, armored vehicles and other military hardware that would be mustered to satisfy the president’s dream of displaying American might." The telling words here are "as high as $92 million". Apparently there was a range of estimates and this was the absolute highest, worst case number. Why not report the range of costs?
Also why is there no critique of the DC city estimates? Why are they accepted at face value? Trump is right in questioning their estimate. To most observers $21 million buys a lot of logistics.
This is just one article, and the Times is better than the Post, but gaps like this make readers question the impartiality of the publication.
1
Well the combined opposition of the Pentagon and the DC mayor finally convinced the space cadet the money wasted on a military parade would be better spent elsewhere. Now let's see the generals persuade him to give up on his Space Force idea.
19
This November, I plan to participate in a massive march to the voting booth, to demonstrate my patriotic commitment.
32
I was contacted by a friend in the military who wanted to stay with me when the proposed parade took place. But they were coming to partake in a simultaneous protest during Trump’s parade. They claim that the big plans for protests were a factor in the cancellation as well.
25
The draft dodger is planning on spending Veterans Day in Paris. Yes, his phony love of the military is showing. I hope Macron tells him he is not welcome. He should be spending Veterans Day visiting the war wounded and sick at VA hospitals. He has yet to visit troops in a war zone, something every president has done. The man makes me sick to my stomach.
47
They could unveil all those new "invisible" fighter jets for the Emperor and let him watch those parade down Pennsylvania Avenue.
25
Save the parade for the day Trump is removed from office.
Make it a national holiday as well.
64
If Trump wants that parade so badly why doesn't he pay for it himself? He's rich isn't he? Or why doesn't he get Mexico to pay for it?
28
When it's all over with Trump maybe we can have a discussion about his top 10 dumbest ideas. The Military Parade may have a shot at making the list. But all of his climate change denial actions will top my list.
21
I have to wonder if the weird, disjointed "now we can buy more jet fighters!" line from the end of the Tweet, was him telegraphing some kind of cryptic message of intent to defense contractor donors and lobbyists, or if he was just actually excited and thinking about jet fighters like a boy in 4th grade. "Weeerrrwwww! Ch-ch-ch-ch-ch! BOOM! Jet fighters! Weeeeerrrrrrwwww!"
7
Thanks to God for small favors. We don't want to officially aggrandize this guy more than necessary. #TrumpIsAJoke
8
This cowardly act of always blaming others when things go wrong is a character flaw that has no home in the White House.
30
Why would service personnel and veterans ever want to parade before a Vietnam draft dodger and coward ?
20
As a draft dodger I am glad that he is an expert in Military Parades costs!
9
We can’t provide services to our troops, but we will blow through $92M for a fun day in the sun? Oh seriously.
18
Lame I really wanted to see that parade.
Listen, Trump. You’re a billionare three-times over, to hear you tell it. Factoring in all the “emoluments” you’ve received from here and afar since moving into the White House it’s probably closer to four. Yours is a cash-&-carry government after all.
You want a big parade so you can strut your stuff before the unwashed masses? Fine. $92-million the estimated price tag? Fine. You’re a multi-billionaire. Fine.
You pay for it.
Oh, and you won’t be able to stiff the contractors that you hired this time like you did so often in the not-so-recent past.
Boo-hoo. Boo-hoo.
38
Why did Bone Spurs want to celebrate the military with a parade?
9
Save the parade for when trump is either impeached or resigns!
15
A better date would be May 9th, '19, the same day his buddy in Russia holds his.
3
Wait, don't tell me...this would have been the triumphal parade for our new Premier Vladimir Putin to formally receive command of the armed forces of the United States upon his upcoming visit...
5
Well I think fake bone spur Donnie should get his parade.
I think he should invite Putin out to view it with him.
It will make a great visual, worth every penny.
If the sight of Putin and Trump standing side by side as tanks roll by and soldiers march and helicopters fly overhead fails to scare America straight, then I don’t know what will alert the populace to the real danger our so called democracy faces with this grifting amoral creature currently lodged like a tick on a dog in the white house.
1
Aww ... D.C. won't let Donny have his big dream parade... Sheesh! How about providing for the people who actually served this country, you heel-spurred narcissist. The same money buys a lot of much-needed help.
13
To quote the great thinker, Corey Lewandowski, “Wah-wah.” Holding it next year? Yes, let’s celebrate the Trumpster fire leaving the White House!
10
North Korea puts on big military parades. Maybe our current President can attend one there.
7
The Inauguration was famously damp, but now I am missing the headline: TRUMP FAILS TO REIGN ON HIS PARADE
12
Dear NY Times, you mention cursorily that the 1992 parade cost only 12 million. Quite a difference with the present estimate.
That raises the question of why there is such a difference. You don't even mention this question. Where is your journalistic curiosity?
Well I think fake bone spur Donnie should get his parade.
I think he should invite Putin out to view it with him.
It will make a great visual, worth every penny.
If the sight of Putin and Trump standing side by side as tanks roll by and soldiers march and helicopters fly overhead fails to scare America straight, then I don’t know what will alert the populace to the real danger our so called democracy faces with this grifting amoral creature currently lodged like a tick on a dog in the white house.
24
I'm surprised 45 hasn't requested that Putin supply Russian troops to march beside ours to show solidarity and our new found friendship...
14
Mr. Trump being paraded from the White House in handcuffs is what most Americans really want.
29
Now that you are "friends" maybe Kim Jung Il might invite you to one of his Lollapalooza parades in his country. He might let you review the troops from one of his convertible Mercedes where you could stand up and use the six microphones to your advantage. It sure would be fun for you.
Maybe you could learn their marching steps and teach them to the Marines or Steven Miller.
14
Kim Putin and Xi now have their "Mini Me". Next he'll have a uniform made in China along with his gold commemorative medals adorning it. He'll be able wear it at the funeral of our Democracy. Nothing like a country with a national debt in the trillions having military parade. Then he will have to invade a country with natural resources.
This guy is truly off his rocker. Brennan on Maddow last night was the first official (past or present) I heard who really put it on the line...and he wasn't political. Just pragmatic. Trump is no fulfilling his responsibilities. He needs to go...Russia or nor Russia. He is bankrupting our treasury, dividing our people, and NOT protecting us from the real attach by Russia of our cybersystems.
14
"Mr. Trump, who enjoys military history ...". Sure, about like a seven year-old likes to zoom his toy jet through the air.
7
Trump cancelling the parade brings to mind Lieutenant Scheisskopf, a character in “Catch-22” who was obsessed with parades. Upon being promoted to Colonel, Scheisskopf asks General Peckem “Will I be able to send out memos about parades?” Peckem replies “As long as you don’t schedule any.” Scheisskopf then asks “Can I schedule parades and then call them off?” General Peckem brightened instantly. “Why, that’s a wonderful idea! But just send out weekly announcements postponing the parades. Don’t even bother to schedule them.” Something like a catch-22; certainly a military absurdity. Scheisskopf can only cancel what was never scheduled in the first place. Scheisskopf’s excessive focus on pomp, and lack of concern with military strategy, is reflected by most of the higher officers in the novel. Scheisskopf means shithead in German.
6
How many "jet fighters" does $92 million dollars buy these days?
4
Darn. I was all set to put on my camouflage and wave my Veterans for Peace flag in front of an oncoming tank.
3
If he really wants a parade, Trump should pay for it himself
2
Awe! That's too bad!
I think Trump was afraid he would end up getting a military parade very similar to Anwar Sadat! Because everybody loves him so much! Ha ha!
5
Trump’s military parade was a monument to ego, borne from witnessing a similar display in France. Never a thought for the poor who have seen programs cut and tax giveaways to the rich, the self-professed stable genius didn’t understand the incredibly poor optics of throwing away millions of tax payer dollars just so he can one-up Macron...that is, he didn’t understand until the amount became so egregious that it finally penetrated his little orange noggin and found its way to his seed-sized brain.
4
Mr. Trump, read your history sir. The Romans told their leaders, "remember, thou art mortal".
You are not a god, you are not particularly special, you are an American citizen that happens to be a president. Remember that. You can, and well be replaced. The republic is going to survive, despite you, and without you.
Be gone sir!
2
Ok. It's cancelled. Great. Does he always have to blame someone when he doesn't get his way?
7
For $90 million you could level Gitmo and starting building a big, beautiful casino and resort for a very special occupant.
3
He always has to blame someone for the problems of his own making!
4
So jealous of the French and the young leader needs to waste more of our hard earned money to self soothe.
2
If only the death mobile scene from animal house could be reenacted.....
1
He gets a parade when if he leaves office immediately.
6
@MLE53: No, that's called the perp walk.
11
Who in their right mind would EVER pledge allegiance to someone like this - a big mouthed braggart, a bully, a coward, a gloryhound who ALWAYS denies responsibility for any problems and excoriates others for his own glaringly obvious shortcomings? No one wants anything close to that as a boss, a co-worker, a passenger they share a seat on the train with, or a drunk uncle. But evidently there are those who want that very thing to be the president of the US.
I can only surmise that those people are out of their minds.
5
Please can someone put together a weekly slapstick parade in front of the White House comprised of children’s toy tanks and planes...you know the little ones that’s you can sit in...complete with dollar store Rambo uniforms and wooden gun shaped toys (not painted for safety)...in the style of Groucho or Monty Python, and salute his eminence? (Possibly the one finger type salute)
Would chip in for costs and snacks.
I think it would be a fine comedic scene and possibly generate some tourist revenue?
7
Score one for the American Taxpayer.
4
Just another thought. Mr. President, have your staff go find uniforms for your boys and the uniform that you wore in high school. Then have them find some toy guns and you can march around the Oval Office or the lawn of the White House. The GOP members in Congress can play the kazoos as a military band. Shouldn't cost more than a couple hundred bucks.
9
Perhaps Trump cancelled the parade because he knew Admiral McRaven and other honorable military men would say nyet to him!
2
Why does he want a parade? It’s not that his five times draft deferments — four for college, one for bad feet — would give him any moral reason why he want that.
Oh, wait.
He does not have any morals, but only a tiny ego.
3
So on a day honoring our veterans the POTUS is going to be out of the country watching somebody else's parade? Sad.
8
Maybe we can all sit in the stands and Trump and his administration can march down the street carrying Russian and CSA flags?
2
Um, The government and population of the district is overwhelmingly black. Would one expect any other kind of response from Trump on this?
6
The little boy is reined in. That about sums it up.
4
Oh, drats. A military parade is wonderful scenario from which to have military putsch at the White House. The one being planned has to be postponed along with the parade. Shusss and stay tuned.
Until this, I thought we might have had in Mattis one
good man standing in the current administration. Silly me!
2
Kim Jong Un should just invite Trump to North Korea’s next parade.
And if that doesn’t satisfy Trump’s appetite, maybe Putin will invite Trump to Moscow for the Kremlin’s May Day celebrations.
"Mr. Trump, who enjoys military history . . ."
Evidence, please. We know he doesn't read, so are we talking here about "Apocalypse Now" (or "that movie" as he refers to it) or does the Times have some other reason to think that he "enjoys" anything other than the (fake) flattery that this parade represented to him?
1
How about borrowing the Baby Trump balloon from London and putting it in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade?
20
Nor should he have ponies and a bouncy house at his birthday party. Those things are for good boys.
7
His idea of a parade would be parading more of his vulgar taste.
6
I am a senior citizen and have never heard anything were ridiculous in my lifetime. The day America spins this much money for "patty parade" to have his ego soothed is a sorry day in our history. I cannot believe this is even a conversation Americans are having. Start doing something about the 40,000 homeless veterans in this country. And Mister President Patty Parade use your influence to do more for them than your own ego. We are sick and tired of your obvious lack of self control. You are presi5, not dictator or king.
10
@Never Ever Again
Well said! Except he is not really a president, just an asterisk.
2
The whole idea was ego driven
6
Why don't they just give Trump some army men and some plastic tanks and let him have his little parade on his office desk?
5
Just another desire to use a presidential power to flatter his ego.
4
Does Trump ever take responsibility for anything?
10
Always blaming, always lashing out. Arrested development.
4
Defense Secretary Mattis should buy a red, white and blue Bouncy Castle (preferably on Amazon) for Donny Two Scoops - and save the US $92M.
2
Thousands of veterans groups were prepared to match in protest of this draft dodging cowards ego parade. Even though it is cancelled they should still march in protest of this traitor and his dictator abuse of office. They should protest him putting his unqualified country club cronies in charge of the VA. It's gut wrenching that our most vulnerable veterans need protection from this corrupt treasonous "president" . Trump will do more damage to our veterans than any war. He will find ways to punish them for not slobbering over his "greatness". The pouty traitor has already announced plans to leave the country on Veterans day to attend a parade in France marking Armistice day. Someone should ask Trump what war that's about because you know he hasn't a clue. To Trump if he can't have a wasteful parade to pander to his ego well then our vets just don't deserve the honor of his presence. He has managed to make a presidential visit a dishonor. Kids, you should hold off enlisting until this traitor is out of office. Don't put your lives in this disgraceful man's hands.
7
This is why readers like me will now be suspect of the "truths" we read in your daily reporting. Something you apparently take great pride in disseminating.
The Wall Street Journal has a banner headline on its Web edition, describing the apparent Sino-american trade talk progress, breaking an impasse which papers, like the Times, did their best to inflame by reporting intensively on Iowa farmers' soybean prices. Anything to weaken Trump's base.
So, right now, instead of reporting the "truth" of a breakthrough in Chinese-American tariff war, the Times focuses on a military parade that will not happen.
Good work! Your fiercely partisan coverage may be your "truth," but it is just "fake news" to me.
i'm more concerned about making sure there is enough money to pay for his golf games. let's set some priorities!
3
"The emperor has no clothes" who would tell him?
Why doesn't Trump get Mexico to pay for it?
2
Pay for the parade yourself Donald. Just imagine all the adulation and cheering crowds, all out to see you!
5
At a few bucks for cartridges, let's give Mayor Bowser and the citizens' voices of Washington, DC, a 21 gun salute for their victory!
7
The whole scene will get worse by the minute until some hero puts a bullet through his head and ends it.
Guess he doesn’t get to stroke his massive ego the way he planned...
3
I wonder if anyone told the President if he's willing to exchange some of his working vacations there could be a military parade.
3
postpone it until we can celebrate his resignation.....
11
"Due to circumstances beyond my control, there will be no big parade this Sunday afternoon. Colonel Scheisskopf"
-- "Catch 22", by Joseph Heller
2
Let him have his parade. Why spend money on spectator stands. Just have one for the fearless leader and use CGI to fill in the screaming supportive masses.
I used to see all of those old news reels of the communists and dictators inspecting the troops as the massive military parade passed by. North Korea still does it. I guess Trump aspires to be like them.
1
All I can say is "GOOD". The US is not some banana republic country or socialist country (or third world insecurity complex) that needs to parade equipment down a street to prove anything.
The whole idea is pure rubbish.
I stopped going to parades when I was 9. Since DT still likes them, I'd guess that's his mental age.
3
Military parades are for the North Koreas of the world.
4
Absolutely NOTHING is EVER Trump's fault. He's the Bart Simpson of Presidents, without Bart's sense of humor.
1
Bummer! I was hoping for a Sadat salute...
Suppose they gave a parade and no one came.
I'm also a vet...
It's always the guys who avoided service that like to show how tough they are...the Trumps and Cheneys of the world...afraid to get shot at, but happy to send the military on endless ill-conceived deployments.
Mueller, Brennan, McRaven, Hayden, et.al...national heroes and treasures.
6
Inflating costs? SO, like the Trump business model? Here's an idea, put Ivanka on it, I hear she's not too busy...oh, sorry, you wanted it to actually happen, my bad...
Prove that Trump enjoys military history.
Is he an expert in Vietnam draft dodgers?
2
All that artillery on display to delight him! Perhaps someone in his coterie tipped him off. With all those troops, with all that security, and all those citizens — paid and unpaid — lining the streets to honor him, it would take one, only one, to turn his weapon on the president. Now what are the odds that there is just one?
1
$92 million to pay for trump's parade, and he canceled it as too expensive (not because it was a ridiculous idea from the get-go). typical trump: thinking a million dollar product should only cost 16 cents, and then he'd try to cheat you out of the 16 cents.
3
Also known as "pretending to save face," when one knows the odds are against you.
I think the parade would be worth it if we could get a picture of Trump in a tank similar to the one of Michael Dukakis
2
Well now we can use that budget to fund the Mexico border wall... or is it a Canada border wall? I believe the White House said Canada is threatening our national security.
Or use it to bail the farmers out of debt as the punishing tariffs destroy their livelihood...
Or use the money to re-build the failing infrastructure...
Or pay for social services...
Or maybe stop spending so much money entirely. Maybe $1 trillion deficit is a good starting point to cut back a little. Trumpublicans are all about less government, right?
1
The thought of Trump wanting to whip out his hardware (paid for with my tax dollars) and expose it to the world in order to show what a virile leader man he is yet another sad comment on the President's need to compensate for his shortcomings. Thank goodness this national embarrassment has been quashed. Hopefully Trump's fantasy will not arise again, since Trump doesn't want to pay for this public orgy of military priapism. My questions are, how does France justify the cost of their own Bastille Day exhibitionism and why are they inviting our President back for seconds? Surely Macron must have better things to do than excite missile envy in an aging American real estate developer.
3
Note that HE had to cancel the parade—after the announcement by the Pentagon the day before. He can’t be upstaged.
Does that sound familiar and similar to his cancellation of the meeting with Kim Jong-un where HE had to be the one to cancel it?
3
If he wants a military parade so badly, he should pay for it himself.
2
Historic reasons for military parades in France and Russia to remind themselves they have the means to defeat any foreign invader. The common factor being the invader in their mind Germany that used to turn-up out of blue. Of course Trump could have his parade reflecting American soft power without tanks rumbling past the citizens tired of wars that drain the nations coffers. Perhaps a march peacemakers more in tune with the people. Or selecting the most respected Americans admired for their character; not Hollywood actors. For example Margaret Brennan of CBS respected for her journalism. She questioned John Kerry at the press conference with Sergei Lavrov from bombing Syria if Syria agreed to give up all their chemical weapons; war averted by accident? Journalism at its best?
Cancellation was the best news all year. He was hoping to have tens of thousands of uniforms saluting to him: hasn't he humiliated this country enough with his infantile, malevolent, autocratic habits?
4
He couldn't even buy one F-18 or F-35 for $92 million. Wrong again, Donald.
4
Mr. Trump, you received a 60 million dollar tax deduction with your new tax bill, while I only received a twelve hundred dollar deduction. Put up your 60 million for the parade and I'll gladly let you have the money back from the bone you tossed me.
2
We need a good old fashioned parade to show off the hardware we all pay for, who cares about the costs!
I think Donald has mixed up our nouns and our verbs.
noun
1. a public procession, especially one celebrating a special day or event and including marching bands and floats.
verb
2. walk or march in public in a formal procession or in an ostentatious or attention-seeking way.
1
how sad it is that Trump cares so much for himself
and so little for America
3
So the man who loves veterans is off to France to celebrate the end of a war that the US only joined after two and a half years conflict.
2
We are left with thedistinct impression that radicalized politicians in the D.C. government decided that they'd never cooperate with this American President. The mud is on their reputations.
OBTW, if anyone is curious about political advocate John Brennan and his great efforts to protect the Obama administration cover story about the Benghazi attack, Stephen F. Hayes has written muliple stories touching on it in The Weekly Standard.
The prospect of taking pleasure in displaying a parade of fighter jets and tanks sounds like the fantasy of a small boy.
The president wants to play with his new toys and show them off to the adults.
His infantile narcissism has never been more transparent.
2
“..Mr. Trump recounted of his conversation with Mr. Macron months later, at the United Nations in September. “We are actually thinking about Fourth of July, Pennsylvania Avenue, having a really great parade to show our military strength.” NYT 2/7/18
Since when does showing our military strength equate to honoring our military?
Most, it not all military say that the use of military strength, i.e. war, is the last option.
A day to honor our diplomats would honor our military but Trump has decimated their ranks.
Does he know that the WWI, WWII, Korean and Vietnam War Monuments in DC were completely funded by private donations?
If he wants his military parade he should raise private money to pay for the entire charade.
Mayor Bowser - finally the twitter in chief got his brag grabbed by a woman! You rock!
2
Good. I am glad it's cancelled. It was unnecessary.
What is he, 12 years old?
Save that stuff for the Soviet Union and North Korea.
4
Good! Spend the 92 million in getting the federally-kidnapped children back with their parents. Military parades like what Trump wanted are the sort of thing dictators do; not in our tradition except maybe after World War II. Let him end some wards first.
1
No number of Soviet-style military parades can ever erase his bone-spur "avoidance" of the draft during Vietnam.
$90m for a parade is a bargain, since it might distract the orange toddler from thinking about using the military for other things.
I'm just glad I have my ID so I can buy groceries tomorrow.
4
Who wants this parade except Trump? Let him pay for it.
There are thousands and thousands of negative comments against Trump "policy". But what is needed are not comments but votes in the fall.
Put actions where you mouth is.
2
I know this piece was about the military parade, but you really had me at the first six words...
"President Trump on Friday officially surrendered..."
Thank you for letting me see those words, even as part of a larger sentence, published in the NYT. I look forward to the day when they are part of a more pertinent event!
4
Why doesn't trump get his Russian "friends" to pay for it?
They've bankrolled him for years: why stop now?
3
Thank you Washington D.C.! You saved the American taxpayers $92 million!
4
If Trump enjoys the military so much, why didn't he serve during the Korean war?
3
"Now we can buy some more jet fighters!”
Mr. Trump, if canceling the parade leaves you with some extra money, how about spending it on the development of a plan to fix the Department of Veterans Affairs? Seriously, not everything you do has to stick it to the liberals. And your own supporters would back that idea too.
You can even take credit and not mention that you read it here. Just send me the NDA.
4
Best parade ever:
The Pied Piper leading the rats out of Washington.
And it would be yuge.
1
Everybody sing: "I love a charade."
5
Apparently not everyone loves a parade. And they are particularly troublesome when orchestrated by a wannabe tin pot dictator. The sad thing is that the cost for this farce, as peposterous as it would be, is nothing compared to to the dollars this ignoramus has shifted to the wealthy via tax breaks, deregulation or even the dollars wasted on his frequent vacations with attendant security at tax payor expense. In addition to all the other things Trump is, he is an abject embarrassment.
1
Ah, thank goodness. I was getting tired of all the winning.
1
So much for Mattis's integrity. I suppose his self-respect and honesty has gone down the Trump rabbit hole.
Thank you D.C., you have more courage then the entire GOP!
1
Countries usually stage military parades to persuade their own citizens, and potential enemies, that they've got the hardware and the resolve to fight.
Who is doubting America's? The USA has the largest army in the world with the most toys. Donny just wanted his parade. That this was even discussed is shameful.
2
Once again, Trump was caught telling another lie. If he cannot be honest with the American people about a simple thing like cancelling a parade, when can we every trust him to tell the truth.
2
Yesterday, Trump spoke of the death of Aretha Franklin and said she worked for him. Forgetting for the moment the suspicious and somewhat specious nature of that statement, who talks about the death of one of the all-time great singers in history and alludes to her having worked for him?
With the parade, did anyone ever think that it was anything other than an event to honor his orangeness and his wonderful support of the military? The cancellation of the parade couldn't be because it was an idiotic waste of money that he got called on. No, it was the fault of those greedy (and by absolute coincidence Black) officials in D.C. The nerve of those people insisting that the very poor city not subsidize the adoration of the Emperor; Everything he says or does is about him, him and him.
2
Another distraction from Trump as he pushes America towards a western copy of criminal Russia.
If we could say with certainty that Trump won the presidential election based on the U.S. election system, then the only groups that can be blamed for his seating in the White House are conservatives, which suggests that they will do anything to get what they want. Traitors all.
A majority of Americans are not happy, but the conservatives seemed pleased with Trump's performance. At least according to the media, which constantly presents information about his "base." Traitors all.
They must be unhappy today along with the Russian intelligence services since their traitor found it better to make up some fake news to blame the poor Mayor of Washington, D.C.
More disinformation, distraction and misdirection right out of the Russian intelligence services play book.
3
Everyday, the cartoon continues. It is nearly impossible to follow all the gaffes, insults, petty fights, narcissistic outbursts, staff firings, vain tweets, etc. Many have become numb out of necessity - Trump hopes for that. That is why ALL must vote - not some, not half, ALL registered voters must VOTE in November. That is the only way to help slow and then hopefully halt the Trump Snowpiercer
1
Once again Trump has saved us from himself... and of course, he's looking for credit on doing the right thing while completely ignoring that the entire episode was self-inflicted to begin with...
2
We should take the money Trump would have squandered on a useless parade and spend it on something that actually helps the people of this country-feed the poor, clothe the poor, shelter the poor, fight climate change. NOT buy more weapons. When will we beat our swords into ploughshares, as the good Book says? Trump purports to be Mr. Pious-put your money where your mouth is!
1
Once again, Trump proves his mastery as the manipulator and distractor in chief by throwing out yet another shiny object to distract the country from more important matters. Yes, it is great that this unnecessary parade has been shelved. But while us and the media were focused on that there was Trump proposing to let the states regulate coal and to relax regulations affecting aging coal plants and intended to keep us and our children and their children healthy.
3
What a child Trump is.
A 3 year old lying on the floor kicking and screaming.
Sad
Remember, Paul Ryan and Mitch McConnell allow this to continue. They shirk their duty now, same as they did in 2016 when briefed on Russian interference. Congress could act, but the GOP won't.
Vote Democratic on November 6th.
Every seat, every office.
Changing Congress is our best hope.
Vote.
5
Trump and those who think this big boy parade extravaganza is a super good idea, please take note of the following observation from the book "The Society of the Spectacle" by Guy Debord.
"The whole life of those societies in which modern conditions of production prevail presents itself as an immense accumulation of spectacles. All that once was directly lived has become mere representation."
1
This sick man and his sick ideas. We are a country with 6600 nuclear weapons and the only country that has ever used them (on civilian targets, no less). We have brutalized societies from Korea to Vietnam to Cambodia to Iraq. We have military bases in over 90 countries (what amounts to occupation). Our disgusting military budget is greater than the next ten countries combined. Our supply of weaponry is at the root of inestimable violence in the Middle East and Africa. And then we are going to have a parade to rub it into everyone’s faces. When will America face up to what a world terror we have become? Trump at least is putting a highlight on something that has long been true.
4
My brother was one of the men who survived Vietnam. He was what was called a "grunt", an infantryman, a foot soldier. He came home a distinctly different young man than when he left. And he has spoken very little about the time he spent there since. I remember being upset that these men came home with so little appreciation from our country for what they had been asked to do and for how very much they had sacrificed. 15 years after the end of the Vietnam War they held a lame parade in NYC in honor of the Vietnam Vets. I was angry by this and I remember asking my brother didn't this upset him? So little recognition so many years later? He simply said "no. I don't need or want a parade. We did what we had to do." I think this is how most of those in the military must feel. As we all know, Trump's parade isn't about anything but honoring Trump. So I'm so very glad that they cancelled it. To watch the military having to parade around for this buffoon would have been a disgrace and a dishonor to all the men and women who have served their country in the past and continue to do so today.
2
If Trump is so fund of the military and parades why didn't he sign up during the Vietnam War? There were people with medical issues who volunteered and found ways to hide them just to serve during WWII. And there were Canadians who volunteered to join the army during the Vietnam War.
2
The Vietnam War was a massive crime that demeaned the United States and needlessly killed over a million people.
It's something to be remembered with shame, not pride.
Most of the men who fought were not volunteers, but forced draftees. They were victims, just like the Vietnamese people they fought against.
2
@Jerry Engelbach that's besides the issue. So was the Iraq war that was bogus. And the endless Afghanistan war 17 years running. Your opinion does not excuse Trump from taking deferrals while others died. You conflate service when called upon to whether the war was moral. Just about all the wars since WW2 could be considered immoral and got nothing to do with protecting the U.S.
1
Trump may cite "costs" but in reality most of America and the military (E1 - O10) sees through this as an egotistical boondoggle.
No great victory for anybody here. Trump had a ridiculous idea - one of many - and now he wants credit for saving taxpayer dollars. The potential cost of the parade was overblown by the same "spend everything foe the military" attitude that has created the huge deficit. Where is healthcare? Where is infrastructure? Where are the 500 immigrant children? Let's spend some of our wealth on helping people.
4
Financial fallout. Trump et al can fall out of their military parade stance. We are still not at ease.
But of course the president would blame the DC government. He always blames someone else for his bad decisions and statements. Once, President Nixon wanted White House guards to wear special uniforms (not unlike those that Putin's retinue wear) until the American public reacted to the silliness of his decision. Now, many just brush off Trump's ill considered and impetuous decisions. The last thing we need is a military parade to stroke the ego of our narcissistic president. The way we will defeat the worst in our current president is to ridicule and laugh at him and his tweets as the epitome of human folly.
1
For a man who dodged the draft because of a bunion, he now wants a military parade. Is it because he can salute standing still on his bunioned feet? Ludicrous! The cost is irrelevant. $1 or $ millions it is still outrageous. Veterans are to be respected, thanked and taken care of for their selfless service to the country. Why not just increase the Veteran Affairs Budget instead? Actually Trump does'nt care. All he needs is glitz, pomp and splendor. Why not this self-professed billionaire shell out a few millions for his own indulgence?
2
I'm surprised by Trump's honesty! The bone spurs excuse has gotten him out of military jams in the past, and half thought he might try to use it again.
If he really wanted a parade, he could have it. He'd just need to cancel one or two of his multi-million dollar taxpayer funded trips to Florida.
2
Let’s see, the guy concocts what can only be considered an outlandish display of personal egotism, discovers the costs (and backlash) too high, and then poutingly blames ... the accountants. That can only be the juvenile actions of one guy these days.
4
There is nothing wrong with having a military parade, but D.C. is prohibitively expensive for any number of reasons. The logistics of getting that many troops and equipment to Washington is pretty complicated and expensive.
I would suggest Fort Hood Texas where a large and wide variety of equipment is already based and there is plenty of room to put on such an event.
1
The difficulties with the budget cause me to ponder what are this presidents priorities. Where are our tax dollars going? Not to the American people. With all the decreases in public service funding and rulings like health care and damage to the environment, will we become a third world country. With the pomp and pomposity of Trump, this may be a small blip on the horizon financial crisis to mitigate midterm elections. Ya think?
2
OK,
Here comes a stupid question.
Why should any municipal government have to bear any cost (personnel or material) for any federal event?
Shouldn't the federal government provide security, road damage repair, signs and personnel for traffic diversion, etc.?
3
What a joke. Instead of saying "fiscal responsibility causes me to cancel this parade until a better time" ... no, he can't take an opportunity to make himself a bigger man and looks for someone to blame instead ... a true hallmark of petty incompetence.
1
Trump is more than welcome to spend his own wealth (allegedly build with illegal Russian investments) to finance a military parade.
This is nothing but a Trump vanity project. He should fund it, not tax payers.
3
When will the President visit the troops who are actually in harms way?
3
It couldn't possibly be that Trump made a foolish demand for a vanity parade against all sound advice; it must be the city's fault.
2
Mr. Negotiator if what you say about WDC's gauging is true why haven't you found a cheaper venue amongst your base? Can't you find a major city where a majority of citizen voted for you? Are you telling me you can't find a way to even charge for the honor of hosting your parade? I just don't think you're trying hard enough. There must be one city out there whose citizens would cough up their city's taxes, even pay, for the distinction of holding your parade.
Can he stay in Paris until January 20, 2021? He’ll like the yearly display of military toys there so it’s a win-win situation.
4
“Retreating from his parade plans, the president also took a jab at the local government in Washington, saying the city is “poorly” run.”
This comment might have some sting if it were not, as it is, coming from the incompetent head of the executive branch of our nation’s government.
Teddy Roosevelt said it best:
"Walk softly and carry a big stick."
The entire world knows that the U.S. spends more on our military each year than the next nine or ten largest-spending countries COMBINED. And all but one of those next-in-line countries are our allies (or at least they were, before Trump started telling them all to take a flying leap).
So we don't need to "show off" our military prowess and latest toys with totalitarian-style parades. All we need to display is our annual military budget (which is available to anyone with access to the internet).
We have the "Big Stick". Everyone knows it.
Now if only Generalissimo Trump could grasp the "walk softly" part....
Trump should donate the use of the nearby Trump National Golf Course as the parade route. He should also assume repairs to the course out of his own pocket. Spectators can line the fairways. Grandstands should surround the greens. Spectators in the grandstand will have the added thrill of watching tanks doing wheelies on the greens. Enjoy the parade.
1
Why don't we wait until Trump actually does something to deserve a parade.
Let's look at this from a different angle. Let's imagine the parade was in Berlin. Let's imagine German Bundeswehr soldiers marching down some grand avenue, followed by tanks, shadowed by choppers and jets.
Comfy??? Didn't think so...
Some nations have parades. France is one of them, and they do it to sooth their population, to show them that they are still the "Grand Nation" they used to be. They are excused.
Russia and China do it in order to scare the West. They are excused too, in my mind, since it's the only thing they can do in their frustration of not having all the things we enjoy in the West, like democracy or good toilet paper.
But the U.S.???
I can understand parades during war. I even appreciate parades after wars, the Vietnam veterans got pretty much cheated out of those for no fault of their own. But in peacetime, for no good reason at all?
In my opinion that was an attempt to compensate for the low number of attendants at the inauguration. It shows how insecure DJT is. It serves no purpose but to stroke his frail ego.
One more thing: $26M for "security" to protect the doggone MILITARY? What are MPs for? And one would think that nobody would attack such a "fully loaded" parade. But no, I guess the soldiers would have had to forgo the bullets in their rifles, too dangerous with this "president" in the stands, itchy fingers and all that...
Do you think the political benefits of shutting his mouth and closing his Twitter account have ever crossed the president’s mind? It’s such an obvious solution to a problem that must have troubled the poor guy all of his life.
Donald, some folks are good communicators. You aren’t.
I feel sad for Trump; he really wanted his parade. As a consolation prize, I'm going to send him a set of little plastic soldiers, tanks, and fighter jets that he can line up on the Resolute Desk. And a CD of military marches he can play along with it.
4
If further proof of Trump's leadership incompetence was ever needed, let it be said that he couldn't even organize a parade in DC.
Literally.
1
He really is a joke. Such a petulant display for all to see.
They cancelled his parade so he says it was HIS idea to cancel. Who would fall for this except his devotees?
Dear American friends
We'we already had Mr Trump for Bastille day last year, it was an embarrassment. $92 Millions is a mere 28 cents per American citizen. Can't you just afford that to satisfy his whim ?
Please, we don't want him back in November, why on earth should we be punished ?
8
Dear Hugo,
I agree. That's why I hate it when people tell him to go back to New York.
1
If President Trump ever gets his massive military parade, I think that tens of thousands of viewers along the parade route would hold up signs saying , "We support our military" with one hand, and in the other hand, signs protesting (variations of), "Trump is a disgrace and danger to our country!"
This would be just a wee bit embarrassing for our thin-skinned leader.
Wan-wan. Breaking news from the White House: The Buck Stops Anywhere but Here. As if the military wants to spend a hot afternoon marching around for Trump. Not unlike Trump's white supremacist rally, pro-Trump turn out is expected in the dozen, singular. The President is obviously concerned about the optics. You know what they say about small crowd sizes, right? I'm not sure but even the Washington Monument can't compensate for Trump's fragile ego. Go home Trump.
To point: How much money has the government spent hosting Trump at his various golf resorts now? Veterans should take the cancellation as an opportunity to protest Trumps hotels. Park out front with a sign reading "Your golf costs more than my retirement." I suspect the accusation isn't far from the truth. The military should keep that in mind come November. Trump is not your friend.
2
could you imagine if the public decided to boycott this narcissistic show of force and let Trump and his family be the only ones attending this foolish event? maybe we could hold our own peaceful parade celebrating vets by letting them march somewhere else the same day. now THAT would send a message.
1
I'm guessing that with the latest antics of #45, the armed services decided that this indulgence was a bad idea.
1
This is why the GOP remains the party of responsibility. Nothing is ever their fault.
Trump wants to go to see the parade in France on November 11th. The only problem is that there is no parade planned then in France (and never is). Didn't the CIA tell him ?
3
Heard that parade was cancelled because the potential for a yuuuuge turnout of Blue Wave celebrants the weekend after elections was, well, frightening.
1
Darn! That military parade would have been worth every penny!
What a disappointment and lost opportunity, as this parade was sure to have beaten any of the military parades that Trump's friendly rival Kim Jong-un has ever pulled off in the Democratic Republic of North Korea.
Good. This parade was never about honoring the men and women who serve in the military.
If anything, it was about paying tribute to the defense contractors and NGO’ s (huge campaign donors) that bleed the budget dry selling $500 “combat shovels”.
Trump is trying to save face, and blame others - this case the cost of a parade. It was a moronic, stupid idea in the first place. Spend the money to rehab all the homeless Veterans in this country first.
1
I was in the military cordon (USCGR) that lined the parade route for Clinton's inauguration in 1992. Every president gets a parade on inauguration day. trump got his in January 2017, that's more than enough parades for him.
2
He can take out his old uniform and march proudly down Pennsylvania Ave. Mattis and Kelly can join him with their uniforms, battered moral compasses and multiple war crimes. Conway, Ivanka, Jared have a bounce to their walk. They can march too. Each is worth ten million of the rest of us. The biggest parade ever. Sanders can give a running commentary as they march.
4
Far better than staging the extravaganza of a military parade in Washington would be to regain the lost influence of the US in the world by leveraging its soft power reservoir that perhaps Trump will never realise given his limited thinking span.
1
Trump’s parade was never about showing support for our currently serving military or veterans. It was to be a grand marketing extravaganza in support of the vast military-industrial complex, in other words, a big trade show.
2
At least there are people pushing back on Trump, Democrats or not!
5
I was in France on Bastille Day 2017 and watched the parade on tv. Pres Trump initially seemed to be annoyed because he had to wait for Pres Macron's arrival. Yet, as he waited on the platform, he clearly enjoyed the spectacle. The parade is always a majestic celebration of the past and the present. Last year a family with 3 generations of military members participated in the parade and it was beautiful and moving. By the time Pres Macron arrived, Pres Trump was like a kid on Christmas morning. He seemed to be repeating " Did you see that?" A similar parade here should be on the 4th of July, a holiday that I do not celebrate as I am the descendant of slaves. I just wanted to offer some context for Pres Trump's desire for the parade.
1
Oh, I thought you were going to say because he is a self-centered, self-aggrandizing despot. That’s the simple answer.
1
For many reasons, I just can't separate Trump's odious personality from his ambitions to flaunt symbols of military power. I believe it has little to do with Trump being proud of our military and everything to do with Trump personally wanting to look and feel powerful.
1
As the wife of a member of the military, I am glad this parade was cancelled. It is clear to many service members and their families that this parade was not a way to honor the military. It was merely a vehicle to stoke Trump's fragile ego.
If he truly wants to honor military service members, instead of spending that money on a parade, he should focus on tangibles such as improving the VA hospital system and helping homeless vets.
30
So, hope our fictitious warrior, bone spur Trump, doesn't trip while watching the French parade on the taxpayers' dime.
Better still, why doesn't he reinstate our war exercises with South Korea, while Kim continues with his North Korean war exercises.
Trump, our Manchurian President, has sold his soul for the third time to his bosses in chief, Uncle Vladimir, Leader Xi and Sir Kim!
12
You left out Bibi and king of Saudi, but they are the boss of every president.
Bastille's Day conveys a symbolism that goes even beyond French historiography, a sense of universality, whether deserved or not deserved is another matter. The military parade is less a glorification of the military than an embodiment of the Republic , of the very republican concept as it arose in the late 18th century and got to be strenghtened and secured afterwards. This context is very different from Veteran's Day in the US and cannot be artificially imported in the United States, even less when a Donald Trump is in office.
28
This fellow Trump is a compulsively loud, arrogant blunderer.
39
I think a majority of Americans would support a big parade if Trump resigned.
68
Instead of Military Parade I suggest that democrats and Republican leaders lead a parade of common people of America every year in Wash. D.C to show national unity and future this country presents to new discoveries,technology and world peace.
8
I am truly disappointed, particularly since it was determined that the M-1 Abrams tanks would not destroy the streets of Washington. The M-1 is a really cool tank, and to see them in formation on the streets of the capitol would be more than cool.
If we could find a way to have this parade, I would very much enjoy watching it. We still have almost three months to get it reinstated---Maybe our president could pay for it personally. It shouldn't be too hard for him to come up with $92 million.
16
The parade would have been amazing and the whole of America would have been proud, just like in France. But, if it costs too much then forget it. The government needs control its spending at all levels, and so a very expensive parade would not be a good example.
1
@Robert James, Nope, the parade would have been yet another of Trump's tacky ego displays, and most Americans would have been disgusted.
4
I would not have been proud. I would have been embarrassed and ashamed that my once great country had fallen so low.
America does not need to show its military prowess off to placate the ego of the very small man in office. If he cared about supporting the military he should have seized the opportunity to join it in support, instead of dodging the draft FOUR times
1
There are quite a few of us Americans who would NOT be proud of a swaggering display of US military power.
That power has killed many thousands of innocent people in the last 17 years. A parade of the grieving families their victims would be much more appropriate.
How is the president even allowed to ask for a parade. The POTUS is the chief executive of the nation. I cannot imagine CEO of any company single-handedly deciding on a willy nilly to spend millions on a vanity project that serves no purpose other than to make him feel special, without the board of directors politely guiding him to the exit.
Someone needs to remind DJT he was elected president, not appointed king.
36
I'm grateful to Mayor Bowser and proud of her for standing up to the bully and I hope she continues to find ways to do so. If she could replace him in the Oval Office tomorrow we'd be much better off. I now await his inevitable response to her, in which he will - with his customary depth and incisiveness - remark about her appearance and her IQ.
57
As I understand military ethics and honor, it is unbecoming officers to publicly cast blame down the chain of command when they do not meet their objective. Those with the higher rank accept the responsibility for the performance of those under them. This Commander-in-Chief, in failing to meet his own objective of a national military parade, even went outside his command -- the city of Washington, D.C. -- to find, yes, a woman to blame for his failure. How do our nation's active duty and retired officers feel about that?
14
Probably need look no further than Adm McRaven's letter to guage their sense of propriety.
I support the President Trump with his enthusiasm for celebration of military parades. It will make kids smile and their parents feel proud for our military!
1
@Sam
Smile for how long? Kids need adequate food and healthcare, good schools, parents who can make a living wage, and decent housing. When that's done, Trump can do his grandstanding.
5
I am not proud. I would be proud if we properly funded our education system, fixed our infrastructure and finally stopped the unnecessary wars that have dragged on for the past 17 years.
We do not need a parade for this mans ego. If he wanted to celebrate the military he should have joined he military when he was drafted, instead of dodging it.
4
Joseph Heller's incredible anti-war novel, Catch 22, had list of characters whose bizarre personalities matched their names. One of the was a guy who loved nothing better than to organize parades. His name was Lieutenant Scheisskopf. Sound familiar?
26
Dazzling comparison, you nailed it perfectly...
So Donald Trump, when faced with condemnation about his "parade", takes credit for undoing a poor initial decision ? He further infers that he will buy more jet fighters with the money he is "saving". Clearly, he is clueless both about the cost of military aircraft as well as parades.
18
He might consider going to Kabul, talking to our troops, and getting to know the country we have been fighting in for over 15 years.
31
Someone can steal my idea because I live in Montana and don't like to like to leave -- but why not have a parade of our own. "Floats for Votes" I'd call it. And I imagine a float for every anti-Trump, Pro-Democracy thought that has ever crossed our minds in the last year and a half. Pennsylvania Avenue here we come.
13
I am disappointed.
Like POTUS - I have attended Bastille Day parade- and it is indeed very impressive.
I do not know how the French pull it out every year - but it’s impressive to see a French President atop a Jeep - protected by soldiers on all sides.
I had made plans to be in DC for this parade - flying in from Bogotá, Colombia where I am spending summer.
In Texas, - specifically Austin - we had that post Iraq parade. Very impressive.
It’s a shame that the local government threw a monkey wrench.
It would have been splendid indeed.
2
I think the DC government has a lot more to think about than financing an over the top and extremely frivolous parade that would do little to honor veterans but instead be a platform for the president to show off his inflated ego.
A lot of people in the US forget that DC is a city where people live and work. Not everyone works for the government, and not everyone is sponsored by a corporate lobbying group. Most of us are normal people working in the private sector amd grateful to get by. The city government already struggles to meet the needs of residents, and we have plenty of problems: homelessness and an affordable housing crisis, drugs, education gaps, environmental concerns.
This parade would be a nuisance for residents and a budget headache. This budget rejection was made with residents in mind, and please remember that people actually live here.
Texans of the generations of my grand-fathers and fathers who served, not like Trump who lied NOT to serve used to have more sense.
Mr T is the very definition of a “Grandstander” - literally.
1
Yeah, we need a parade to impress the world about how we can blow everyone up six times over if they don’t toe our line. Sadly, this is an already known fact on the world political stage.
1
Why can't President Trump say that he made a mistake? If that's difficult because "strong men" are not supposed to admit they are wrong, he could just move on without blaming others.
The grand military parade is not a prudent use of taxpayer dollars. It's a crass display that you might see in North Korea or Russia, but the United States does not need to show its military weapons. That said, how about demonstrating U.S. cyberwar capabilities?
8
Really, I don’t think anyone in the military ever intended to have a parade. The “planning” was done purely to stroke Trump’s insatiable ego all the while knowing that it would never take place. The high cost estimates merely provided an excuse for the cancellation.
12
For a guy who claimed he is very smart and rich (billionaire), he is really cheap. He can fork the $92 million if he really wants the parade. He practically can find $92 million under his couch.
15
Trump should just keep going to the cities where they have big parades - Moscow, Beijing, Paris - to feed his delusions of glory on the reviewing stand. But Beijing may not want to receive him any more, now that he has imposed punitive tariffs. Putin would presumably be happy to have him repeatedly.
8
Thank you, Mayor Bowser, for getting him to leave the country for a few days!
31
In response to @mimi C
I understand your feelings regarding wanting to honor your family member. However, this parade was not planned to honor the military, it was planned to pander to Trump's massive ego and need for adulation and attention. It has NOTHING to do with veterans, who absolutely do deserve our honor and our gratitude.
48
How much did the military parade cost France? I think it was a lot less than even what Trump originally was planning to spend. Maybe France did it a different way than how the USA does it. I'd ask Macron. Plus, even the Macy's Parade is not trending. Parades are not going to make-it the Future. Old Baby Boomer Trump should know that. Lets hire "the ahead of the curve" creatives and top France and Russia. We can do it! Then they will be following us. Right now it looks like we are following them. We can't even win The Parade Contest. Looks like Macron and France Won.
6
It roughly costs us something around 4M euros. But hard to get things in details and if the extra security conditions required are part of the price (police).
For 92M USD i guess Trump planned to have a naval fleet floating on Pennsylvania avenue ?
I would settle for video of US weapons blowing up school buses full of children in Yemen so I can see exactly how my tax dollars are being spent.
Since Trump can't have his military parade maybe he could arrange a parade of some other kind. A parade of garbage trucks could symbolize his administrations accomplishments. A parade of children in chains can symbolize all the immigrant children he has caged. A parade of smoke belching diesel trucks could symbolize his reversals on climate change. How about a parade of cats? That can symbolize the people like Omarosa Manigault and Stormy Daniels whom he can't quite get in line. Please feel free to add to this list.
92
@Mark
Please add to your list a parade of the removed
Confederate statues.
Accompanied by marchers from the Southern Poverty Law Center and NAACP, carrying posters of the monuments at the National Memorial for Peace and Justice, in remembrance of the lynching victims.
Trump can lead the band like a drum major - Melania can wear her I Don’t Care coat.
@Mark A group of Sikhs (since they wear turbans and Americans identify them as Muslim in their knee-jerk alternative facts realm), led by the flag bearers, Melania, of Einstein visa status, and her parents.
Cancelled? GOOD! Spend the money on something beneficial, like our veterans.
26
Good! There are thousands of other ways to spend $93M. How about spending it on veterans, or our crumbling infrastructure, or new textbooks for millions of kids in our public schools whose funding just keep getting cut...
18
Might do not show off their power, only the weak, and the has been.
8
Of course he cancelled it. When he realized the TV ratings would probably be a bust. He probably knew he couldn't boast that the parade was the biggest audience on TV ever. Just like his inaugural parade.
12
I think it would be really cool to move this parade to the final day of construction of the wall. You know, to be cost-effective.
31
Ok, so long as Mexico pays for both!
President Trump underestimates himself. With his rhetorical skills, he should be able to convince his supporters that Robert Mueller’s perp walk is a parade.
11
This is a great win for the American taxpayers. Now we do not need to foot the bill for a complete and utter waste of money. Such parades are typically take place in autocracies such as North Korea, and the former Soviet Union. We absolutely do not need that in the United States. This was solely to satisfy 45s ego.
In my opinion he probably wants to govern like an autocrat and it is too bad that too many do not see that or do not care if that occurs.
32
Parade, just what we need to waste money on. The only reason Trump wants a parade is so he can posture in the reviewing stand as HIS troops pass by in review. All Trump is missing is a fancy uniform complete with lots of gold braid (his favorite color), bedecked with medals and perhaps a fancy hat with a big plume on top. Let's not forget the sword and sidearm, either.
16
@Mike
Do you really want to put a pistol in Trump’s hand? He’s already boasted that he could shoot someone in the middle of Times Square and people would still support him.
He might just be so excited while watching his parade that he decides to pop one off from the reviewing stand.
1
Perfect!
1
He could get the staff together and have a perp walk, wonderful low cost replacement. I think a lot of people would come out for that.
28
It's laughable that Trump would be concerned with the cost of the parade, witness the cost of the largest tax cuts to the rich, corporate welfare, the cost he has piled up for security when he goes to his various golf courses, etc., etc, etc. All for working taxpayers to bear.
The world knows very well of the military might the US has. The 92 million dollars would be better spent taking care of our veterans, whose welfare needs improvement.
27
Fair is fair: Trump made a decision with which I agree, so due credit. Of course, it wasn't a great initial decision, and of course he's blaming others to save face because a real man, in his view, never admits he might have been wrong. Still, for me this is his best decision in more than a year and a half as President. By a lot!
75
@cary Heh. This is what my father would have called "damming with faint praise." (And, no, he was not the originator of that phrase.)
@cary Seriously?
What have we become as a nation when someone like this poster is so naive as to pretend that somehow Trump made a reasoned decision devoid of ego. HE KNEW HE COULDN'T GET THE PARADE SO HE BACKED OFF. And you want to give him credit for that???
We are lost. Just plain lost.
@cary. He didn't make the decision. The Pentagon really made the decision. The 70 thousand veterans groups that were going to show up and protest made the decision. Trump is just trying to save face.
Of course he refuses to accept the numbers and facts provided by the people actually having to do the planning and preparation for such a huge event.
And of course he blames others.
Mr. trump has literally not taken ownership of one thing he has done or ordered or caused since the election.
13
I'm really curious to know what his supporters thought of this parade and the cost? Aren't republicans suppose to be fiscally conservative? Sad that this money isn't earmarked for the support of military families.
14
@M As a Republican I fully supported this proposal as in keeping with contemporary Republican thinking ....... speak brashly and carry a limp stick paid for by borrowing from the Chinese, Any pretence the Republican Party is fiscally conservative was tossed out the door with the previous Republican president who turned a budget surplus into a deficit with atotally unnecessary tax cut, thereby ending the possibility of paying down the national debt. This president confirmed Republicans are the party of predatory tax policy, not fiscal responsibility. And there are fiscally fresponsible alternatives, As Mr. Heaney notes there is already a Veterans Day parade in New York City right along Fiffth Avenue. Why not simply cast President Trump as Grand Marshall. He could lead the parade in a golf cart, decked out in custom-made military regalia somewhat along the lines described below by dave. A spiffy yellow, with rows of bars celebrating lawsuits won, women groped, notable tweets, etc. Of course the $92 million could be spent to create the Donald J. Trump Veterans Service Center, a facility offering housing and support services for hundreds of homeless vets. Indeed it could be considerably larger if the Republican Party used the moment to track down the millions of dollars collected but unaccounted for as inaugural expenses. A Predator drone could linger overhead. I think Oregon would be honored to host a facility supporting homeless vets, perhaps our shuttered VA hospital.
8
This is typical DT ranting with blame placed in exactly the wrong place. Mayor Bowser estimated Washington DC's costs would be approximately $21.6 million, most of which is designated for policing.
Did you notice The Donald is MUTE about the remaining $70 million? That's because that OUTRAGEOUS amount - fully 76.5% of the cost - is what the MILITARY estimates it will charge! Instead, Trump gripes about the 23% of the bill that might be reasonable for people's safety.
Use the money for veterans. We know they need it more.
48
The irony is quite thick: a nation that devotes over half of its discretionary spending on war, cancels a military parade because of costs.
Someday, maybe the public will snap out of its apathy and demand an end to this insane level of military spending.
25
Will Durant once commented that great civilizations fail first from within before they fall to foreign invasion. We are on that path, and it isn’t just Trump. We’ve conditioned ourselves to believe that consumption rules the day, and to get there, why all we have to do is spend. And spend we do, with money that we don’t have. And where does it come from? Increasingly from foreign sources, with the leader our putative adversary, China. China, recently, started to trade oil futures in their currency, the renminbi. Their goal, their ultimate goal, is to replace the dollar as the currency of international trade. Will this happen? Perhaps, perhaps not. But if it does, our consumers will be in for a rude shock, we will have lost control of our printing press and inflation will run rampant. Durant was commenting, when he did, about he fall of Rome, was he prescient? Robert Louis Stevenson, to again reach for the history books, once also commented that eventually we all sit down to a banquet of consequences. The question I pose is the following, are we honored guests, or part of the meal?
2
What, you don’t approve of the U.S. being in a mid-East war for 17 years with no end in sight?
1
Actually, I think a parade for him is a good idea. As long as we get to borrow that balloon from the Brits.
26
I have always given our presidents the respect and deference they deserve whether I voted for them or not. This presidency is something I never thought possible in these United States. He behaves like an unruly toddler, like a toddler takes no responsibility for his actions. The parade is yet another example of his inability to lead. These are frightening times.
I am relieved that other officials were able to demonstrate the absurdity of his wish. Thank you to Washington DC's mayor and John Kelly for persuading this tyranical toddler to cancel his parade.
14
Just ask the pay day lenders to pay for your military parade. Seriously. As long as we're ignoring all irony, why not?
17
The baby complains about his parade not happening. Meanwhile homeless vets have no where to sleep and Trump's VA is dragging their feet to develop long-promised housing for them.
"A week after officials disclosed a 57% rise in Los Angeles’ veteran homelessness, advocates say the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs is delaying housing development on its West Los Angeles campus."
https://www.vatherightway.org/news/advocates-denounce-va-delays-in-devel...
Of course, I heard about this on NPR. FoxNews has nothing.
22
Trump has claimed he intends to visit Paris in November for a French parade. Is Trump going to continue to visit countries for their military parades? I recommend that Mr Macron do not invite Trump as an official visitor because of his continued bashing of EU and EU officials. Personal snubbing is required to send a message to Trump. Trump can go as a tourist.
After Trump has departed the oval office (or perhaps before) psychiatrists and historians will write books about Trump and his childhood affectation with his "little tin soldiers". It is not his worst mental quirk in what is being seen as a twisted mind but is a sad indicator of something Americans need to really think about.
16
Any money wasted on a vainglorious parade to celebrate the Dear Leader's wish for a look at his "toys" would have been a slap in the face to vets (yes, I served in the Army for three years) when it is better spent providing care to them at the VA, homeless shelters, therapists, substance abuse programs, etc. Thank God it got canceled.
50
"The parade, which was never widely embraced"... I admire the restraint in such a polite euphemism! What it was widely, is condemned. Vets groups, active military in particular, fiscal conservatives, All progressives, 99% of democrats, 98% of republicans, and virtually anyone who caught wind of Trumps broken wind of an idea naturally held their nose at the idea.
Eventually people will realize Trump is truly just a mean spirited Chauncey Gardener. W. was a relative Einstein to Trump. And W. was a hideous embarrassment to the intellect of the US political class.
27
This just in. The first parade will now be on the US side of the wall as soon as that wall is completely finished. The President will himself lead the parade with a rather large golden baton - on a golf cart.
26
He wants to celebrate veterans? Let him donate luxury holiday packages for veterans to stay at his resorts. But that would cost him money and do nothing for his ego. I marvel at how many of this man's cheesy delusions his base can stand.
18
It is sensible to ditch the whole thing, I guess the only reason France has a parade is that they want to show off some kind of post-colonial ego. It does not impress on me, we live in the 21st century and dont need this.
10
This is Trump's version of a participation trophy and a horrendous use of taxpayer funds. For someone who crowed at John McCain about "not doing enough for the vets," you'd think that maybe Trump could come up with better uses of for millions of dollars in defense funds than a useless parade?
12
I am thinking that a one year delay for GREATEST EVER military parade will work well for Trump. The extra time will all everyone to grow into his new suit as the Commander in Chief. The jacket can have an array of medals that V.P. Pence has pinned on him in Rose Garden ceremonies, an a 6-inch wide sash across designed for him by Ms. Conway and Ms. Sanders.
5
Would it not be better to spend this money and time make improve care at our VA hospitals? Our military service members need us to show the world we will provide the best possible care to them.
51
All I can say is "Thank God, someone had some common sense!" This draft dodger wants to strut as if he's done something other than disgrace us as Americans!
I have always viewed military parades as displays to threaten people since I was only familiar of the one in Russia each year.
Infrastructure using those federal dollars is what I want to see for our country. Think it would be best used in the New Jersey/New York area with their bridges and roads since that is the heaviest traveled.
17
Postponement might become cancellation, eventually
8
A parade of John Deere tractors pulling manure spreaders shouldn't be too expensive to put together. Full or empty.
38
Good idea, Donald. Go to that air show, so that you can see some of those invisible jets.
8
It has nothing to do with the cost, which is extravagant.
Commander in Chief Trump knows that his parade will be met by thousands of protesters, honoring our vets and demanding support for them from a narcissistic autocrat with bone spurs that kept him out of harm's way.
This year or the next.
52
"Mr. Trump, who enjoys military history..."
Now this is truly FAKE NEWS.
I have yet to see or hear anything that suggests he knows ANYTHING about military history, other than that a bunch of people put their lives at risk for their country, something he was unwilling to do.
This is a guy who thinks nukes should be used willy nilly and had to be schooled BY THE CHINESE about North Korea.
18
The largest Vetetans' Day parade in the USA has taken place in New York City since 1919. The estimated 25,000 participants march from Madison Square Park up Fifth Avenue where it ends at 56th St.
This is convenient for our current President, who has stated his affection for parades honoring our veterans. The President may want to consider this parade due to it literally ending at his doorstep...
6
The 100 million dollar parade that no body really wanted or understood but trump. Of course he blames someone else now that its cancelled. Look out DC mayor, trump might try to pull your mayor-ship title. I am surprised that trump hasn't had his own military uniform made so he can wear it to HIS parade.
9
"enjoys military history"?
No- knows NOTHING abt military history. The proof: his undermining of NATO.
What he enjoys is strutting & playing at Commander in Chief.
19
Everyone is to blame except me.
He is simply a modern American hero.
He should have the parade himself.
5
This guy takes no responsibility for anything...always someone else's fault...except where there is good news, and of course that's because of Trump.
What is that crazy addition about buying more jets, too. We already have the most powerful airforce in the world...no other country close. So why not take that savings and invest it into our crumbling infrastructure?
20
The man who thinks you need ID to use a grocery store says he knows something about the costs to a city for a massive military parade?!
I think not, and I LAUGH at his tiny... understanding of this issue.
73
I'm going to apply Ocaam's razor here to conclude that Trump wants to leave Veteran's Day open for golfing. This is supported by his blaming it on the cost, something he doesn't care one iota about since it would be taxpayer money, not his own.
58
If Trump wants a big parade in his honor, all he has to do is resign. Celebrations would be big, really big!
28
Having done my Basic down at Bragg in the Spring of '69, my 2-S having gone to a 1-A, and having been #4 on my Draft Board list, allow me to say that Donald Trump lacks the ability to represent our Nation as a whole; and, his words and actions constitute a clear and present danger to the democracy of the United States.
21
From a President who is yet to visit a single battlefield encouraging our troops!
Instead of going to his resort every other weekend why can't he go visit the troops?
Instead he wants the troops who have done multiple tours of duty come and parade in front of him.
19
The people away from the coasts who decide American elections see the haters of this President - and the country - doing these tricks and then progressives look at each other dumbfounded wondering why their side never wins anything.
You can't make stuff like this up.
1
What do you mean by “tricks””? Why do trump’s followers so often write unclear messages?
Here's an idea for a parade - Get Donny some miniature plastic army men, some miniature tanks and Tonka trucks and some balloons and then lock him in the nursery and he can play to his heart's content. The total cost should be a couple hundred dollars at most.
14
The REAL reason Trump wants a parade in Washington DC has absolutely nothing to do with honoring veterans.
Putin has military parades. Macron has military parades. Trump has parade envy. He ONLY wants to boast that his is bigger.
34
Here’s some free advice from a Gold Star father. Spend the money on our vets who need medical care, housing and job training. I’m sure everyone who has served our country, especially under fire, have seen all the guns, tanks and aircraft that they need for a lifetime.
543
@Dave DiRoma well said. I am sure our veterans would appreciate practical help over some military parade. It breaks my heart seeing how veterans are not being respected as they should for the service they so willingly gave to this country.
7
@Dave DiRoma
Bravo sir.
And my genuine condolences for your unimaginable loss.
7
Spending money for vets who need medical care, housing and job training makes sense. A useless display of military equipment for Trump's entertainment does not. It serves nothing but his corrupt ego and not the needs of the country. Watching a parade is as close asTrump will ever get to serving our (not his) country. God knows, those of us who have served our country, especially under fire, have seen our share of guns, aircraft, tanks and dead buddies @Dave DiRoma
2
Since Trump is so obsessed with pomp and military might and has to cancel plans for his own parade following scathing criticism, he should call Kim Jong-un and tell him that he would like to attend the parade in Pyongyang on September 9, to mark the 70th anniversary of the founding of North Korea. It's going to be so impressive that Trump will enjoy it.
It's widely speculated that Xi Jinping might honour the occasion. Trump should travel to Pyongyang and steal the show. This would allow the two to revisit the June 12 meeting in Singapore.
19
If you assume that the first reason Mr Trump states for any of his actions or events is a lie, then the question would be "What did he no longer like about a large public event that anyone could attend at a major city on the East Coast?" My answer is that it would provide an opportunity for thousands of people to stage a demonstration against him that would by definition be picked up by all media everywhere. And he wouldn't take that risk.
43
Well, not all media - FOX would re-run Trump being sworn into office, minus the small crowds of course.
1
Say we throw in for epaulets galore, a special, spiffy uniform, military hat, riding crop and sidearm a la Gen. Patton. Would that appease President Walter Mitty?
23
@Jim Steinberg More like General Garcia from the original "The In-Laws". Complete with his trusted advisor.
5
@Jim Steinberg. Mini Me
Every day that passes, Trump more and more assumes the behavioral traits of a Third World generalissimo. He yearns for military parades, he wishes to stifle the press, he seeks to penalize those who raise their voices or pens in criticism of him, he devises a malleable construct for the truth. He no longer seems American. He no longer seems idiomatic in our national lineage. And he wants to take us with him. Be it away from the First Amendment, be it away to see a military parade, he wants our eyes and ears on him and not something diversionary like the truth.
56
A little bit of good news. How about taking that 90 million and spending it on infrastructure or health care?
50
Too bad #45 can't do the math when it comes to the costs of playing golf whenever the urge hits: more than $70 million (according to NYT reports today), which is more than three times the colossal waste of a military parade. When are taxpayers going to put their collective foot down on this theft of their hard-earned money? If the mayor of D.C. can say no, surely the citizenry has the will and the ire to do the same.
76
Please remember, France's Bastille Day Parade might better be compared to our 4th of July (when cities and towns across the country have local celebrations). If the current resident of the White House would like to see a national parade and display as substitute for that, maybe local governments would get behind it. He need just ask and, perhaps do some research.
Alternatively, you could also compare Bastille Day to the the north's success against the south in our own Civil War.
If Trump wants to create a NEW national holiday in celebration of the Emancipation Proclamation (September 22, 1862) or the surrender of the Confederacy (April 9, 1865), then perhaps the nation would support that idea and a military parade to go along with it.
Good luck getting him and his base to go along with either of these proposals.
24
How many times did our very stable genius dodge the draft? 3 times? 4 times?
And never forget, he laughed about it afterwards. "My bone spurs must've healed themselves."
83
People with sense dismiss trump's delusions without a second thought. Only Trump thinks he has god-given authority to enact vindictive actions against his perceived enemies. Trump has no business criticizing how a city is "poorly run" when he shows no ability to run anything except that big mouth of his.
27
Trump made no secret of his desire for a trade war when he was campaigning. "And I know you know that." You voted for him. You own him.
9
I think Donald Trump is being overly optimistic (in tweet #2) to think he'll be around next year for a military parade (bad idea).
28
I love how transparent this is that it’s just for his amusement.
17
Poor Donald. He wants to be Louis XIV, the Sun King, but he's just a guy from Queens. Sad.
20
It couldn't have possibly been that Donny's idea wasn't a good one.
20
Trump should hold fast until the parade planners decide to have a flatbed truck with a 40 foot likeness of the Donald himself. Right between the missiles and the goose-steppers. That is what he's going for anyway, right?
12
Instead of a big military parade with jets and tanks Mr. Trump can still have his parade. He can sit on a throne on a float dressed in full military regalia surrounded by women (10s only), barely dressed to appear to be from his harem, fawning over him. His cabinet and the Republican congress will follow on their hands and knees pleading with the president to spit on them as they are not even worthy of much more.
19
All you people leaving comments are saying the same thing. You should have just said ditto and saved yourselves the time. For all you that mistakenly said Trump did not go to Vietnam, you forgot, Trumps Vietnam was dodging STDs.
7
The Trump, treating our government as if it were his banana republic. Now attempting to force my brothers and sisters in uniform to parade around, just as if they are serving in his banana republic.
This comment by an US Army Veteran 1965-1967
(No bone spurs here)
26
Mr Trump :
You want a parade ?
You once said you could go out on 5th avenue and ...
Sorry, I forgot the rest, buried in the ocean of garbage that has flowed from your mouth over the past 18 months.
Try walking down 5th Ave now. Enjoy the warm response.
Make sure you are inside a triple bullet proof suit inside a 2" thick plastic bubble inside a cast iron box.
Watch yourself on tv. Do some tweeting.
We'll be breathlessly awaiting the pearls of wisdom that flow endlessly from you.
Enjoy !
22
I know! Let's get Mexico to pay for The Parade as well as for The Wall!
33
Mexico can pay for the wall and Canada can pay for the parade.
It is extremely generous to describe Donald Trump as a person who "enjoys military history." It is a safe bet that Donald Trump does not enjoy history of any kind, outside, perhaps, of that which more talented people have made exciting movies out of. "Enjoys watching the beginning of Saving Private Ryan" is perhaps the phrasing you were searching for.
It would be more accurate to say that he was made to feel jealous by French military parades. It would be even more accurate to say that he is a profoundly stupid person who does not understand the affairs of state and instead, like an infant, is easily distracted by shiny things such as fighter jets.
34
How about you go to Afghanistan and visit some troops, Mr. Trump, instead of whining about not getting your super special parade? I heard you haven’t been there yet. Wouldn’t THAT make a nice Veteran’s Day trip? Perhaps your bone spurs are acting up, though, so it would be too tough, a very hard thing to do, to see soldiers with real injuries and psychic wounds while your bone spurs are tingling.
27
Take that money and give it to the VA.
20
Bret Harte, "Second Review of the Grand Army," 1865
"I read last night of the Grand Review
In Washington’s chiefest avenue—
Two Hundred Thousand men in blue,
I think they said was the number,—
. . . When, lo! in a vision I seemed to stand
In the lonely Capitol, and on each hand
Far stretched the portico; dim and grand
Its columns ranged, like a martial band
Of sheeted spectres whom some command
Had called to a last reviewing.
And the streets of the city were white and bare,
No footfall echoed across the square;
But out of the misty midnight air
I heard in the distance a trumpet blare,
And the wandering night-winds seemed to bear
The sound of a far tattooing.
. . . And I saw a phantom army come,
With never a sound of fife or drum,
But keeping time to a throbbing hum
Of wailing and lamentation:
The martyred heroes of Malvern Hill,
Of Gettysburg and Chancellorsville,
The men whose wasted figures fill
The patriot graves of the nation.
. . . And so all night marched the Nation’s dead,
With never a banner above them spread,
Nor a badge, nor a motto brandished . . .
18
This is not about the military. It is all about Donald Trump, just like everything else. Instead, why don't we buy him some balloons with his Trump logo emblazoned on them. He can hold the balloons while surrounded by his sycophants telling him repeatedly that he is the 8th wonder of the world. That would probably be enough for him. I'd rather throw a parade when Trump is unceremoniously escorted from the White House in an orange jumpsuit with cuffs and leg irons. Now that would be an event worthy of a celebration.
52
He has only himself to blame for suggesting a boneheaded, unnecessary and overly-jingoistic parade.
9
Another tax payer waste of money. Along with his frequent golf trips using Airforce 1 at upwards of $200,000.00 and hour to fly, charges by him for sescret service use of golf carts to follow him all over the course (not too mention food and lodging) and
flying all over for his rally's to pump up his base and self for campaigning on tax payer dollars.
It is sickening watching him salute the military and strut around like he is some great General. Oh how he loves to play the part.
38
Couldn't trump settle for being an honored guest at some other dictators military parade like Putin or Kim Jong Un? They could provide him with a military uniform with a lot of shiny ribbons and gilted medals, maybe even a sabre.
Maybe they would let him ride one of the missiles if his bone spurs permit. We would then be free to spend the $92 million on homeless veterans, PTSD treatments...
19
"I respect people in the military. And I always have, at least since I've been there."
“I know more about ISIS than the generals do, believe me.”
“He’s not a war hero.He was a war hero because he was captured. I like people who weren’t captured.”
“I always felt like I was in the military. (I got) more training militarily than a lot of the guys that go into the military.”
Your leader talking
54
'Mr. Trump, who enjoys military history,' what?!
His grasp of history is third grade at best. He merely wnats to play armymen in the sandbox.
13
Can't wait to see the next news conference....Trump clutching himself about the chest tightly, rocking slightly, lips rosebudded, declaring....
"I cancelled the parade for Our Great Military.... although many many people say the parade is something I should do, but won't because of the inflated FAKE costs that everyone says are NOT real.......DEMOCRATIC mayor, mind you....sad....
I will attend the big parade in France to celebrate Nov 11, or Sept 11, or Aug 6 ( who cares? ) and they will let me bang the big drum while I'm there, and let me wear a cool hat.."
What a loser.
MY family s is quietly proud- and does NOT need a parade- to honor my grandfather, father and brother, who served in WW1, WW2, and Vietnam.
THEY didn't have FAKE BONE SPURS.
65
Mr. Trump, I'd suggest looking at the price tags on all those jet fighters you think we're going to build. With the "savings" (where the money is coming from is anyone's guess), even at highest 90 million estimate for the parade, you would have been able to buy exactly *one* F-15E in 1985. An F-35A, currently the least expensive fighter, is over 100 million now. The F-35B 150 million. An F-22, 250 million.
The Commander and Chief of our Armed Forces is scary, unhinged and sadly completely checked out of reality.
13
@Adrienne Plus, he’s suffering from a serious mental illness that causes him to say and do things without fully considering the consequences of his words or actions.
I suggest somebody give the President some toy army men and tanks so he can have a play parade.
26
The parade makes a nice sequel to a the reality show and Hebert's review of "Moon Over Parador"
Trump's America is now "every comic cliché Hollywood has ever created about Latin America. The country is led by bemedaled buffoons, ruled by nepotism, tamed by a corrupt army, inhabited by seething mobs of chanting peasants, entertained by endless national holidays and given solace by hot-blooded women who take their men neat. The woman in this story is played by Sonia Braga as the mistress of the departed dictator and an Eva Peron who is somewhat beloved by many of the seething masses. She quickly realizes that her lover has been replaced, of course, but rather likes this vulnerable New Yorker trying to grow into his new job."
3
Trump uses the military as a prop.
7
It was all about HIM anyhow.
13
He probably couldn't get over the sneaking suspicion that Macron's parade was staged to out-do him : his ego can't take it . Perhaps Vlad will stage one for him with fake U.S. military hardware in Moscow .
8
Blaming DC officials for canceling his ego trip of a parade is typical of this disgusting excuse for a leader. Trump has always blamed others for his failures. We need to get rid of him ASAP !
50
It seems our leader has identified more bad folks. Those who run DC are like those bad Canadians.
5
Classic narcissist. Blames everybody else for his mistakes.
The Soviet-style military parade was a stupid idea from the start. The man who dodged military service just wanted to stand up on a pulpit and enjoy a day celebrating his rise to power.
That's fine, except the United States is a free country, the president is not a dictator, czar, or emperor, and we don't work that way. He's a government employee, nothing more.
25
Maybe he was afraid of a coup?
39
Trump's bad idea is somebody else'e fault.
11
It's (sad) :))))) Trump really thinks that we do not know the military might of our nation if he didn't parade it on the streets.
Trump is worried that Americans do not appreciate what a really, really powerful man he is! :))))))))
8
If Mr Trump wants to honor the military, let the military sit on the sidelines and watch HIM walk the route. Assuming they are interested in attending, of course...it would NOT be mandatory.
11
@Jean Boling. He wouldn’t ask it, just ride in a golf cart.
There doesn't seem to be any good rationale for the proposed parade. Also, many Veterans oppose the needless display of tanks and aircraft, and the associated costs of the parade. Security alone would be astronomical. In light of the latest scandals surrounding the VA, such as the Mar A Largo crowd taking over the top management of the VA, it might be better to focus more executive resources on improving the delivery of VA health care services to the many needy veterans who depend upon the dedicated VA staff for care.
9
Trump just figured out that tax dollars wasted on a meaningless parade could be used for other things the country really needs. Now why didn't we think of that??
4
The guy who needed $105 million to put on a poorly attended inauguration, complete with a $26 million payment to a friend of his wife, thinks that the cost of putting on a full military parade is too high? I have a feeling that if he hired Don, Jr to put on the parade, the reimbursement to DC would look like small change.
11
Yes, cancellation of the parade must be a bitter disappointment for President Trump. The projected costs are a smoke screen for the real reason. Trump envisioned himself marching at the head the parade down Pennsylvania Avenue, but on the advice of Admiral Ronny Jackson, his retired White House physician, Trump bowed to the reality of his debilitating bone spurs making that march impossible. SAD.
23
Oh, but he could have ridden in a golf cart like he did last year at that European summit when all the other leaders were able to walk.
Added bonus - he would have been able to bill the govt for car rental and adding bulletproof glass.
I have another suggestion for the Dawn’s parade. I suggest that he and Putin and Kim Jong-un own stand together on the dais in Red Square. There’s plenty cobblestones and it would make a fantastic picture of the autocrats currently in power.
11
Enough already, blaming others. A poll from the Military Times, a non partisan paper, did a poll on this mess. 51 thousand troops signed in and 89 % were against it. I am a retired military and would rather spend the money on the troops . Or their families.
24
Keep him as calm as possible. Buy him several sets of toy soldiers as diverting toys to help in that endeavor. On me.
19
@Jim Steinberg I suggest his keepers tell him it’s a parade of the new Space Force — and that it’s on Mars! They can give him a specially rigged telescope with a cartoon of the “parade” running at the business end. He would swallow it hook, line and sinker, and be overjoyed when they tell him the “parade” is just for him and only a stable genius can see it.
3
Next thing you know our troops will be ordered to goose step down the parade route because the only thing this POTUS seems to respect is jack-booted thuggery. Speaking of R-E-S-P-E-C-T, it should be a surprise to no-one that a strong black woman like D.C. Mayor Bowser would be wrongfully blamed for both mismanaging the city and forcing the cancellation of his latest boondoggle, a military parade even veterans don't want. The magnitude of his petulance is truly remarkable.
18
The only "inflation" applicable is the dirigible in the form of the crying President as a baby balloon that flew over London and has garnered fundraising efforts for more of its spoiled, bratty ilk to fly over cities all across the US. We DO NOT clearly need this deplorable President smiling like a Cheshire cat as we watches, like Mussolini, a military parade which personifies self aggrandizement to the highest level. A Thanksgiving day parade with one obnoxious float. I count the days, as many others, when we can "deflate" this man child President so he will disappear from an office he is supremely unfit for-let's deflate him through our truths.
13
He's good at blaming other people, isn't he?
16
It's always the fault of "them" or "they"... never is it the fault of our wannabe dictator. Pathetic.
And will all the investigations going on, I don't believe this silly, costly parade will happen in 2019 either. And we'll all be the better for it.
18
Isn't this the type of parade they hold in the D.P.R.K. and the old U.S.S.R.?
15
What a clown. There are many more important American organizations and people who could use the $90 million saved. How about put it into education, or health care, or lowering prescription drugs, or dealing with the drug/overdose crisis, the homeless crisis or just about anything than this showy charade of fake patriotism. True patriotism, Mr. President, means caring for your fellow Americans -- not blowing your own horn, which frankly, we're all tired of.
24
Whatever money there is ought to go to the veterans health and welfare fund!!!!! They served our country and the moronic so-called president did not!
27
Put in a call to your best bromance, Vlad P and get a spot for reviewing his May Day parade. You'll feel more at home in Red Square than in DC. And best of all, the real journalists are in the Gulag.
18
This from a man(child) who has never accepted blame for any of his errors.
10
HAHA, what a deflation his colossal ego must have taken!
9
I once thought that there could be no greater failure of leadership and moral authority than Nixon and GW Bush. But with each passing day, this utter lowlife in the White House shows us how it is possible to sink to depths that no one has plumbed before. A spoiled child who is now beyond redemption, the despicable trump is only looking to scorch all earth before he leaves. Can the GoP develop a spine in time to save this nation? Will they ally with the Democrats in removing this man from his office by impeaching him?
15
@Peace the worst part is that his followers still love him. the only true thing he ever said was that he could shoot someone on 5th avenue and people would still love him.
I guess POTUS heal spurs prevented him from becoming a real hero and as usual he blames others for his stupid choices. Most servicemen, I included do not need a parade to honor our military service. Trump at every utterance, shows the world how unfit and unstable he is. Republicans, it is time you got off your keister and started to stand for America and not the misguided flag wavers and malcontents that feed off bigotry. What has happened to the America that the world once looked up to?
10
"Now we can buy some more jet fighters". Oh my heavens and am I too demanding or do these not sound like the words of an imbicile?
10
This is typical of third world and dictator led countries to show off their military might. Trump wants to use Tax payers money to satisfy his ego because he believes he owns the country. He is making this Unites States Kingdom.
12
This ridiculous parade was yet another vehicle set up by Trump to stroke his fragile ego. Good riddance!
16
Too bad. All the man wanted was to ride around in a tank and *maybe* fire some anti-aircraft missiles at journalists. Now he'll never be happy!
12
Reading the comments looks like everybody agrees. If Trump wants a parade he can pay for it out of the millions of dollars he's leveraged the Presidency for. He just never stops spending our money; and you thought democrats were big spenders? Check the budget bill. Over a trillion and a half over ...are you serious? And pass out tax breaks like you looted a candy store.
Is your head spinning yet? Vertigo.
18
Does this man never stop whining?
30
This breaks my heart. I was so looking forward to a parade led by a bunch of emaciated bleached blondes in their KellyAnne Conway minutemen outfits goosestepping down the streets shouting, "But what about Hillary!"
26
Bush got a military parade; Macron gets military parades; Putin gets military parades--even Hitler had military paraders! Why can I have a military parade? (pout)
13
Trump: blame, threaten, scold, demean, rant, brag, complain, preen, strut, rail, denounce, blame and threaten again.
26
You know what would save a lot of money, whether now or in 2019? Not throwing meaningless parades that no one (including the military) requested or was very enthusiastic about. Even if Trump managed to get it done at a fraction of the estimated cost, say, a "mere" $10M instead of $90M... W-H-Y? At least be creative about it. Trump could try foregoing a few weeks at one of his resorts and let some veterans have the run of the place (for FREE, Mr. President... please don't charge it to the U.S.) instead. No marching, no saluting, no pomp and circumstance and no photo-ops or speeches to a captive military audience. Just let them enjoy themselves and be truly "at ease." Meanwhile, as a show of support for the troops, maybe Trump could make an extra effort to be as dignified as possible for at least a weekend or two and not spoil the gesture.
It's a bit unconventional, but isn't that what Trump is all about?
12
Why not find a community in a friendly red state somewhere and create a local parade with members of the American Legion, National Guard, first responders, and similar organizations? Instead of a massive and expensive operation have President Trump join others somewhere in Kentucky, Oklahoma, or Idaho for a genuine American celebration of our veterans. Maybe it would be without jet flyovers or heavy tanks but he could score populist points riding on a fire truck. And he could walk among the military comrades he never had.
15
Trump "saves" $92 million and says think of all the jet fighters we can buy. They are between $60 and $160 million according to https://www.quora.com/What-is-the-cost-of-a-modern-jet-fighter.
Another confirmation of Trump's stable genius.
12
Trump's knowledge of what things cost helps to explain his 4 bankruptcies. Maybe he thought he could just not pay the DC government like he has in so many other places.
33
Of course, it would be expensive. But surely just pennies compared with Mr. Trump's burgeoning purse: he can pay for it himself, and he can sit there by himself and cheer for himself as he watches it pass him by.
8
Good. We don’t need a military parade anyway. It was just one more thing our Supreme Leader wanted as he fortified his autocratic government. Proof: he blamed the DC city council and not the fact that this was a waste of money and not what America does.
18
The Times missed out on “advisor” Kellyanne Conway’s take: “We don't need a parade to celebrate all this president has done for those brave men and women in uniform, And all the people who are so anti-American — America was never great, abolish ICE, spitting on men and women in uniform, disrespecting the flag when they have the opportunity. I'm very proud to work for a man who loves this country and the men and women in uniform, parade or no parade."
Does that include the rollback of regulations where lender ripoffs of military personnel are concerned? Spitting? It’s 2018, lady, not 1968.
37
Trump should notice that only armies ranking from 2 and onward, need to show some credibility thru parades. The number one is exempted.
4
"Mr. Trump, who enjoys military history..." I'll bet a dollar he knows very little about any kind of history. I'm wondering when he is going to start wearing a uniform ... like all the great despots.
28
The definition of a parade relates to a a "public procession, especially one celebrating a special day or event and including marching bands and floats." There is no celebration with this administration rather this is one hot mess of a political nightmare supporting a puppet president -- a puppet to Russia and unfortunately a puppet to our Republican Congress. Wake up America -- sad times.
9
The stable genius with bone spurs stayed out of the military and is now upset he doesn't get a military parade. It's an insult to our vets who have served our country!
55
No worries, there will be several parades in the upcoming years: parades of citizens marching to the polls to oust this Traitorous draft dodger and his accomplices in the Republican Congress out on their keisters.
18
Trump, and the mind of a child.
Johnny had a pony at his birthday party, so I want one, only bigger at mine.
18
That's like cancelling the St. Patrick's Day parade in Compton, then blaming the LA city council because the permits are too expensive.
6
When he eventually holds his parade , sometime ,somewhere do you think he will include a Erik Princes mercenaries
8
Great! So now to appease his desire for pageantry, the American taxpayers get to fund a free ride to Paris for the grifters.
16
On reading this, lot of thoughts played pinball in my head:
1) It's an insult to our military to have them parade in front of a draft dodger. If ever held, it would not be in honor of the military but to inject some temporary feelings of virility to an old man...similar to the men who are beyond their prime and drive red sporty cars.
2) If Mr. Trump desires a parade, I'm sure he can pay for one. Clowns, jugglers, acrobats and mermaids in floats may be willing to accommodate his wish.
3) When Bin Laden was killed under Mr Obama's watch, there were no parades nor ostentatious revelries. In fact, the Navy SEAL amongst those who conducted the mission was quoted as saying a parade was a bad idea.
4) Military parades are/were held by countries like Russia, China, North Korea, Egypt, Iraq (under Saddam) etc. Hardly a group of nations we would like to emulate. The fact that France holds a military parade on July 14th is ridiculous since (let's be honest here) it has seldom won a war in recent history.
5) If this administration is serious in honoring our military, it should increase spending on VA hospitals, PTSD treatment, homelessness and other ways to take care of our young men/women who are sent to war by old men.
15
If his ego need a parade that bad and he is so “wonderfully “ rich why not just pay for it himself. $90M why that’s just chump change for such a “beautiful “ business genius with lots of words.
9
I am ready and eager to pay whatever the cost would be of getting the London Trump Baby Balloon FedEx-ed to Washington, inflated with helium, and then drawn down the entire length of Pennsylvania Avenue to a reviewing stand in front of the White House. I think I can guarantee the President that the crowds and the cheering would be YUGE!!
31
I am sure it has not escaped anyone's attention that in placing blame for the failure of his ridiculous parade fiasco on local officials, trump has denigrated the skills of the Mayor of Washington, D.C., a female, African-American and a Democrat saying that the city is "poorly run"? At least he hasn't called her a "dog"....yet!
SAD!
23
...and just when did Donald Trump start to care about how much something costs?
...especially when it's on someone else's dime...?
There's more back-story to be uncovered here.
23
Maybe it's not all about him.
Surely, he can see this . . . .
2
Does this man ever responsibility for anything!
4
Maternal grandfather was drafted as a WW I Browning machine-gunner and became all too familiar with French trenches, German artillery,...and mustard gas. Think Meuse-Argonne, St. Mihiel, Belleau Wood, etc. Paternal grandfather built airstrips on miserable, remote Pacific islands in WW II and dodged Japanese snipers, but not a severe case of malaria. This thin-skinned, imbecilic, vindictive, bone-spur coward wants to spend millions on a parade to stoke his ego. He can't leave fast enough for me.
32
Instead of a parade, why doesn't Donnie John go the Vietnam Memorial so can see what he so artfully dodged.
41
Detected errors in his soul.
8
Apparently, Trump thinks the presidency is a big fat prize that he won. And the prize entitles him to do whatever he likes with his new shiny toy. Of course this parade has nothing to do with veterans. He saw a parade, loved it and wants a big shiny one for himself. How dare anybody dare to tell him he can’t have it?
Imagine his own vision of himself at his parade; standing proudly at attention, saluting his own glorious parade, the very embodiment of a winner. He might even be wearing a brand new specially designed Commander in Chief uniform! Gold medals…. and, (wait for it) a big sash like Miss Universe! Mark Burnett could make that happen. OR, even better, he could ride at the head of the parade standing at salute (of course) in a special shiny jeep.
How sweet that would have been for Trump! Being told “no” must be a huge blow to his ego especially since the fact that the President works for the people isn’t even close to the horizon for Trump.
35
He always has to blame someone else for his problems.
20
Military parades are the hallmark of dictatorships. I would hate to waste money on the useless display of weapons. I would rather see it used to make the life of maimed veterans a little more tolerable. At the present time every war we have been involved in was useless and unjustified. Meanwhile China is quietly and strategically spreading its tentacles all over the globe securing resources and lands. What do we get in exchange, cheap useless and lousy products that lasts from a few days to six months at most. What a lousy deal !
2
He's already such good friends with Kim Jong-Un, so why doesn't he just go there and enjoy the North Korean military parades if he likes them so much? In the U.S. we don't do military parades without great wartime victory. If you don't like it, leave.
9
Has this President ever accepted responsibility for any action he has taken in his life?
17
Maybe Rocket Man can lend us some of his goose-steppers for a day, at a very reasonable rate. He and Trump have a very special relationship you know. But North Korean soldiers on our soil you say! Why not, we already have the Russian, North Korean, Chinese and Iranian military lurking in our infrastructure?
8
@stan continople
Right? Even someone like Jeffrey Dahmer was famously able to admit, "I carried it too far, that's for sure," when arrested for murder (not to mention cannibalism). By contrast, the Trump administration can't even admit to bad party planning.
Poor Donny Two Scoops won't get his parade.
Perhaps General Mattis could just order a red, white and blue Bouncy Tent from Amazon- probably do the trick!
20
I suspect that the biggest reason he wants to postpone this celebration past Nov. 10 is because of the anticipated blue wave that is expected to hit on Nov. 6. It just wouldn't be good timing for the Trumpies.
5
They'll probably schedule it so that it's on His birthday. He'd be happier with that, I'm sure. And it would have historical precedent.
5
May Day could work...
"A Quinnipiac University poll released in February showed ... Just 18% said that expenditure was a good use of government dollars; 75% said it was a bad way to spend federal dollars. ... To put a fine point on it: The military parade idea was an albatross from the start. ... Trump needed a way to cut bait on the military parade. The cost estimates that began leaking out this week were the perfect exit strategy for Trump. Lay the blame on a local, Democratic-controlled government, banking on the built-in belief among many Republicans that Democrats love to spend money unwisely." - CNN, 17Aug2018
7
If draft-dodger Trump wants a military parade, he can go to Moscow and watch the parade in Red Square. Inasmuch as he is on their side, he would feel more at home there. And it would be so much cheaper.
12
$90 million for a draft-dodging sociopath's ego trip. What is not to like?
14
Originally planned to be a massive display of force in the nest of our government just days after the midterm elections smacked of an impending coup led by Trump. Perhaps publishing that belief recently precipitated the cancellation. We might have averted a planned coup attempt. Thank you Times.
6
#45 doesn't fall far from the "Trump the businessman tree."
"I am the greatest," when it a rare project succeeds.
"It's their fault," when it fails.
7
"Now we can buy some more jet fighters!"
Interesting how he couldn't imagine investing that money into improved physical and mental health for veterans. It was scheduled on Veterans Day. But President Trump needs to flaunt the power he feels in ordering fighter jets.
11
I can’t help but think that President Trump’s hidden reason for wanting a military parade is simply so he can view them ALL and think “They all report to ME”! He’d probably say it aloud and preen like peacock he is.
6
That's what happens when you actually think about the consequences ... granted it's an unfamiliar activity to Trump but even he had to concede it wasn't a "great" idea at even half the costs.
3
At least our so-called president is consistent: he takes credit for everything and responsibility for nothing.
20
To trolls and Trump insulting DC's fiscal management - a $2 billion SURPLUS and AAA rating show what the flip side of 6 bankruptcies looks like.
16
The problem here is that, for someone as out of touch with reality as Trump, $21.6 million doesn't sound like that much money. He figures the parade will get good ratings - so what?
7
Could it be the real reason that Trump's big Military Parade is put on hold is that it not something our military is gung ho about? Trump's way. If so, Trump has to blame someone for the change in plans. How about the Mayor of Washington, DC who is a black woman? America is not yet a military junta, but I am sure he sees it differently.
5
The idea DC is poorly-run is laughable on one level; pathetic, on another. As a resident, I and many others enthusiastically applaud the fine job Mayor Bowser is doing.
This is just another example of the president taking tamper tantrums to new depths.
8
How much health care could be provided to those in ned for $95M?
9
@wbj - At the VA? About one checkup.
Good grief!
Washington, DC is ringed with a dozen and more of military installations, forts and air bases to say nothing of the Pentagon. How much would it cost to just round up a couple of nearby infantry divisions, run up the cadets from West Point and Annapolis to march down Pennsylvania Avenue and have a squadron of fighter jets (which are on duty 24/7 anyway) fly over the White House? Throw in the Marine Corps band and the honor guard from Arlington National Cemetery and you have a parade.
The thing doesn't have to look like the Carnival in Rio.
1
@CABOT
What about security, crowd control, and general logistics? It's not necessarily the military personnel that make the event expensive.
7
@Brad Blumenstock
Brad, good point. The cost would (should?) be no more than all the other marches and demonstrations that are held weekly in DC.
@CABOT
yes, all that and still an utter waste for a fundamentally anti-American event, presided over by the biggest joke of a "president" in U.S. history.
4
This is wonderful news for the American taxpayers. Now we won’t have to foot the bill for something so ridiculous and is most widely known to be done in countries led by dictatorships such as North Korea and the former Soviet Union. I think that as a country we are better than needing to do that!
8
Thank goodness! If he wants to honor the military, put more money into their care. No one wants to watch him gloating, basking, turning ever more orange while he claims respect for something he got out of with a foot issue - a foot which did not stop his playing lacrosse. I'd say he was a hypocrite but that's a big grownup word.
11
Maybe he could have it at Mar a Lago. That way he could bill the taxpayers instead of letting DC do it.
4
After all, Trump is the Commander-in-Chief so there's no way he'd pass up wearing some sort of military uniform full of ribbons and badges, and of course, 'his' Purple Heart that someone gave him. Imagine it, and him so seriously saluting... and be grateful for another reason that the parade was cancelled.
8
It never made any sense to spend one cent on a parade with no discernible purpose but to Photoshop a five-time draft dodger into General Eisenhower.
That this ludicrous a notion could have gotten the traction it did before the plug was finally pulled is an indictment of each and every one of its proponents.
Correction: Of its sole proponent.
8
We don't need any Parade for Trump or any Walls with his name on it! This is the last thing people of the USA need. And, we are not going to pay for it! Let Trump pay his own way for a change!
5
Let’s just buy Trump a couple of GI Joes and sit him in a quiet corner.
20
@Llewis - That's a good idea. It seems he has only been playing with Barbie dolls his whole life.
9
@tom harrison
Where did you hear that? Did Barbie violate the NDA?
3
@Matt - Malibu Ken wrote about it in his book - Penthouse Barbie
Although the parade never took place it was still the most attended parade in history. It was a bigly success. Incredible!
18
DC is racking up the wins this year! 1st the Caps took the NHL Championship and now this!
Sweet!
5
I really was looking forward to seeing what kind of uniform he would wear.
8
Womp-womp!
Apparently, there's news afoot of military vets holding a 5-K run on the day that Trump's silly parade was supposed to happen. The vets will run the 5-K to commemorate Commander Bone Spurs five deferments.
What a sorry excuse for a human!
10
Trump stiffs contractors and files bankruptcy at the drop of a hat, so it's completely understandable that he wouldn't know what anything costs.
11
I can't believe we are forced to discuss this nonsense seriously. I mean, this is the United States of America, not North Korea!
But then again, to elect someone like Trump president of the United States (the most powerful man in the world) and expect to not be humiliated is like jumping into a lake and expect to not get wet. The horror had already occurred when we elected him president, what he does as president, we can only try to endure.
8
I suggest that if Trump wants a parade in 2019 he and his family stay in DC for the next 12 months and work. The accrued savings on POTUS and friends travel and security would make a dent in the cost. He could also donate 5% of revenue from TrumpDump venues, 10% from his DC hotel, to add to the fund. Also, maybe it would be a good idea for Barron and Javank'a children to go to DC public schools and the whole family to have Sunday picnics at public parks in DC so they could get to know their neighbors. Does NO ONE in the Armed Forces Command and/or Congress have the guts to stand up to this nut !
13
Hooray for Muriel Bowser!! I'm not a D.C. resident, but I wish I was so I could vote for her. The best thing you can do for a child throwing a tantrum is to take away his toys, and she just took away $21.6M of them. Sorry, Spoiled Donny, I hope your bathtub battleship sinks as well.
9
Trump "enjoys military history."? If our Boy President has read even 1 book on military history I would be astonished. What he enjoys are self aggrandizing demonstrations that feed his insatiable ego.
9
He orders up a parade out of thin air because he was bedazzled by a French celebration, and then he blames someone else when the cost estimate comes in??
Good grief.
18
So the president is going to France to watch a military Parade:while he's there, he should learn from Macron about the other great things that France can afford, like universal health care, free schools and universities, 35 hours work week, 35 days paid vacation. You know the socialist stuff, in a European capitalist society.
24
Blame, lash out, blame... Truly, The Buck Passes Here.
What a little, insecure, vicious man.
15
If that buffoon really want to parade, why not let him march along the walls of the Vietnam Memorial. He can honor those that he was too cowardly to support and to serve with.
30
In my lifetime, I have never witnessed such incompetence, such egregious behavior, such stupidity of a person in power. My 12 year old son has more self control, is more respectful, and has more understanding of the workings of the U.S. government than Trump. SAD.
27
@Dee Well, regarding bad behavior, there’s my dog. Bad dog.
Super! Now that the sham military parade has been cancelled, there will be ample room down Pennsylvania Avenue past the White House for PROTEST TRUMP parades.
10
Finally someone put their foot down and said no to one of Trump's ridiculous requests.
26
I recently had a facebook friend post Tucker Carlson ranting about how we spend more on refugee housing than military veterans housing and "OMG, this is terrible." I pointed out that this was a Fox New red herring meant to stir up anti-outsider sentiment but that in fact no money from veterans programs were going to refugees. Also that it was our choice as a country not to do more for our veterans. I also asked if she thought that veterans are better cared for under the "responsible to no one" Mar Lago caretakers? Silence.
How much you want to bet that Tucker does another piece explaining why NOT spending $90 million on a parade is bad for our veterans? The idiot will probably post that too. The connector buttons in the brains just don't connect anymore.
19
This was to be, by far, the biggest waste of taxpayer money any Administration had embarked upon. Why not help Veterans. Disabled Veteran? Homeless Veterans? Drugged Addicted Veterans? People who actually served this country.
23
@Tony Watson
The tax cut for the wealthiest = a much bigger waste of taxpayer money.
It would be cool if the French didn't invite him.
21
Macron will invite him. Because Macron LOVES humiliating Trump, by touching, hugging, kissing and sharing affection with his beautiful wife, in front of all the cameras, while Melania stares at the ground and curtly swats her husband's hand away from even the slightest touch in public. For the French, it is high comedy gold to humiliate Trump in public, in this way.
8
Too bad it is canceled. I wanted to see Trump in his dictators "fake" uniform/medals like Idi Amin.
20
@ jpope
well Putin couldn't make it so he had to blame the capital of the country because it had to be canceled. Besides he wanted another taxpayer paid trip to France. Going for just a parade is a sorry reason for the expense to a struggling country. No healthcare & non livable wages but president can travel overseas to a parade because his own country won't give him one.
2
“Mr. Trump, who enjoys military history...”
What is the source of this absurd statement? He does not read. His “schooling” was a series of grandfathered, serial wave-throughs by faculty at Fordham and Penn after they cashed daddy Freddy’s checks.
And, for a president who “enjoys military history,” how are his five granted deferments from serving in Vietnam explained? I enjoy conducting Wagnerian operas and Bruckner’s symphonies even though I have never done so in my life.
“Mr. Trump, who enjoys military history...” was not fact-checked. How did this glaring editorial comment get by the editors?
30
For something so inconsequential other than to stroke the tortured ego of the president, even one dollar of tax payers' money would have been too much.
The parade would perhaps have made him feel as glamorous as Kim Jung Un, or Vlady Putin.
Sorry Donald. You have a long way to go.
21
This was such a hideously bad idea.
11
Our Early Morning SitRep from Commander-in-Chief:
"..Maybe we will do something next year in D.C. when the cost comes WAY DOWN. Now we can buy some more jet fighters!"
Top Job complains about DC Mayor's $21.6M portion.
Top Job promises next year's pricetag will be "WAY DOWN".
"officials acknowledged that the event could cost more than $90 million"
Top Job could pay for ONE F-35 .. OR .. Top Job could dial back his BURN RATE of taxpayer dollars at his golf courses and he might conclude the remaining 29 months for $90 million. (Yeah, I'm laughing while crying, too.)
To date, 136 daytime visits to golf courses with evidence of playing golf on at least 62 days. Estimated cost to taxpayers: $74 million.
https://trumpgolfcount.com/
10
If Little Donald won't pay for his big parade with all of his military toys and toy soldiers, maybe Mexico will pay for it.
9
Maybe he can get Mexico to pay for it.
30
thank you for today's installment of America: Suicide Watch.
16
Oh, come on! "Mr. Trump, who enjoys military history . . . ." Mr. Trump HATES history because he has neither the patience, the curiosity, nor the intellectual capacity to READ it! "Enjoys military history"! PUHLEASE!!!
39
Yeah that was a real whopper the Times snuck in there. They still treat him with kid gloves, even after all this time. "Enjoys military history" my foot. He enjoys telling debunked fake stories about General Pershing and pig's blood to his rabidly anti-Muslim audiences at his cult rallies, is more like it.
4
He could pay for it
30
@Eric Key, he'd probably try to charge admission.
He would not - and has a habit and history of stiffing people.
Good grief. The national embarrassment continues. He spends most of his time playing golf, watching TV and trolling on Twitter, and he thinks taxpayers should foot the bill for a pointless military parade to soothe his fragile authoritarian ego?
If he’s so “rich”, he can pay for it himself instead of passing the bill to taxpayers. Typical Trump: talk bigly and carry no stick. What a loser.
32
Thank you all you US soldiers who stand up against this pathetic sociopath by telling him how little you think of that grotesque parade of his ego. A truly strong military salutes to the constitutional values of our country, not to a clown who has consistently defiled them.
13
Donald Trump really reminds me of the spoiled little girl Veruca Salt, a character from Roald Dahl's, "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory."
"But daddy, I WANTED A PARADE! It's the fault of ____________________________ (fill in the blanks) that I can't have one!"
So much whining.
20
Translation:
“Well then, I'll go to Paris and watch their parade, you're so mean” “And, you're just saying it's way too expensive ‘cause you don't want me to have it” I hate you!
30
So when does he start awarding himself medals and rank? Generalissimo Trump?
Come on, everyone knows that without the shackles of Congress and the Judiciary Trump would definitely model himself on a tinpot dictator that craves the pomp and power of his army marching past (“My generals...”).
Gaddafi had an obsession with gold, cash and attractive women half his age, just sayin’...
8
I went to bed November 8, 2016, in the United States and woke up the next morning in Venezuela.
45
Americans should not be celebrating anything regarding how great we are while this imbecile remains in office.
36
Save the money for your collusion trial, Donald
23
How Much??? Why do we need a parade I'snt trumps head big enough. Here I am struggling to pay bills and buy food and you want a parade?? For how much?? could I have just a thousand dollars???
7
So cadet Bone Spur, the 5-time draft dodger wants a parade.
Methinks he should wait, Mueller will parade him out of the WH.
38
@evric Now THAT'S a parade I'd attend!
7
Will this petulant child-president never stop whining and blaming? It's pathetic, transparent, tiresome, and embarrassing to our country, for which many good men and women have fought and died. For god's sake, Donald, grow up!
7
Now if only Little Donny would cancel his presidency.....
22
I don’t care why he cancelled the parade. I'm glad it's not happening because it's the dumbest idea ever!
22
Amen.
5
Just what we need.
A Military Parade!
What joy to see the troops, armed to the teeth, prepared to do Trump’s bidding - launch a war anywhere, any time, probably at the request, not of our former allies, but our Muscovite Friends!
The ones that have bankrolled the leveraged Trump family corporations since 1983, after US banks stopped lending to a man foolish enough to build two Atlantic City casinos within blocks of each other on an already-crowded Boardwalk, the second, the Taj, built with such bad taste that it made the rest of the city attractions look like fine museums.
Funny thing about a lever. Easy to hold in place, but if you just let go for a fraction of a second, the world it’s moved comes tumbling down in an instant, faster than any house of cards.
So let’s forget about the truth, and a President in such trouble that we’re in for worse than a Saturday Night Massacre, and spend money on more Bread and Circuses.
Incidentally, I bet the parade figures left out the cost of repaving Washington. A single tank from a Reserve armory rolling down the street in Vineland, NJ in 1995 or so, during a Memorial Day parade, a light tank equipped with rubber “street pads” left a trail of potholes all along the short downtown route.
Now think of the damage done by scores of heavy tanks and mobile missile launchers, pulled off duty of “guarding” this country so a little Trumpinik* can bounce up-and-down with joy showing off off his toys.
*Trumpinik, Yiddish petulant 2-yr old.
15
So boring Trump wants a parade in his honor (what it's really about). The mummers will do it for free.
7
I wonder what the difference is, in concept, between this proposed military parade and the flyovers in formation of military jets over sports stadiums during playoff games? They are both unnecessary public displays of military hardware for, I think, the same purpose. How does the cost of those flights to the Federal government, incurred each year, compare to the cost of a one-time parade in DC? Probably a lot more money than $92,000,000 can be saved by scrapping the parade AND these flyovers
11
Nothing is ever about others in Donnie's world.The parade would be for Donnie, the narcissist. His fantasy, bedazzled in regalia, some flashy medals, an American bald eagle perched on his shoulder, elevated above all others on his own little podium...
Another real-time example of the POTUS' style of leadership - lie, blame, and try to shame...
Trump 101 - Never ever trust a pathological liar.
9
Oh my, the Ego takes a bashing. Why else would he want such a thing if only to get a nod and wink from his bosom buddy in russia.
4
D.C. city government is full of corrupt folks who run the place as a personal piggy bank.
3
The president enjoys military history, esp. when he makes it up.
https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/donald-trump-civil-war-monument/
16
Our whiner in chief. Does Trump ever take responsibility for anything? Whine, whine, whine, whine. It's pitiful.
13
The purpose of the our military is to protect our nation , not entertain a senile President !
29
Poor President Bone Spurs.
18
@miller
He even has a Purple Heart!
1
Oh, boo hoo.
No big parade.
Well, sorry, Captain Bonespurs, but you gave all the money to your buddies and yourself.
You want a parade?
Pay for it yourself.
We're tapped out.
28
Yea!!! It was an outrageously stupid idea by "our" seriously mentally ill Liar In Chief that had no purpose whatsoever other than as mental health therapy for him. As an American, a veteran, and a taxpayer, I am delighted this dog and pony show was cancelled but am concerned that each and every Congressperson and Senator did not denounce this nonsense when President Potty Mouth first shot off his mouth about it. Let's all remember the "silent bunch" come November and sweep them out to instead hire people with with sense and backbones who understand they work for US and who will not grovel before President Potty Mouth.
9
Since you're so rich, Mr. Trumpty, why don't you pay for the military parade yourself? And while you're at it, all the Kings Horses and all the Kings Men will knit you the finest cloak ever which you can wear as you perch atop an Abrams tank plying down Pennsylvania Avenue. Let's hope that they're aren't any Pennsylvania priests around.
11
@KPMD
You haven’t been paying attention. ALL of Trump’s businesses and buildings were paid for with OTHER people’s money!
3
Yay.
6
Is there anything more galling than a draft dodger wanting a military parade? Every time this traitor goes before a military audience to talk about how great he is I (an Army veteran) want to puke. Face it toddler Donnie you are a coward through and through. How many of your rubes ever served? They all talk big like you but are just spineless clowns like their demented leader.
17
Hahahahahahahaha!
6
This parade was always about drumpf's ego. Everything in this administration is about drumpf's ego.
And, as usual, he immediately lashes out to blame another party.
Good On 'ya, Mayor Bowser for setting him straight. Now, if we only had a few rethuglicans with your spirit.
9
This man is certifiably barking mad.
18
Maybe we should all chip in and send him a set of toy soldiers to play with.
19
It was a stupid and moronic idea in the first place.
12
Just more smoke and mirrors from "The Apprentice DC Office" clown show.
9
What are you, a 5 year old? For once, act like the President of the United States. Just pathetic.
19
Trump must be slipping. He forgot to blame Obama, Crooked Hillary, CNN, the ‘failing New York Times,’ the ‘witch hunt,’ his ‘weak, pathetic Attorney General,’ a ‘Mexican judge,’ radical Islamic terrorists, MS-13, Jeff Bezos and amazon, Angela Merkel, the Chinese, NATO countries that ‘ripping us off so badly,’ the ‘immigrants from s—thole countries pouring into our country to commit crime,’...
Anyone and anything but our ‘’leadership’ and its own self-destructive, willful ignorance, abject stupidity and incompetence, bigotry and resentment.
14
I wonder if Trump actually knows why the French have a big parade on Bastille Day. I mean, somehow I doubt he'd approve of having poor folks and liberals and commies and such riff-raff overthrowing a gilded monarch.
18
Trump is a fool.
17
Now is the time for all reasonable people to VOTE.
If it's a just boring old primary in a gerrymandered state on a day when we already have too many things to do, VOTE. If we don't like any candidate, we can select the less or least bad choice and VOTE. If our state is working hard at voter suppression, we can jump through all the hoops and VOTE. If we aren't registered, we can get registered so we can VOTE. If we are tired to near death of all the political horse manure, we can hold our noses and VOTE. If we don't have time to decide, we can talk to someone we trust and VOTE.
We can fix this, but only if good and reasonable people VOTE.
On Tuesday, November 6th, 2018, with primary votes behind us, we must VOTE. On Tuesday, November 3, 2020 it's rinse and repeat.
Our current fix has proven what happens when too many good people fail to VOTE.
Federal. State. Local. School. If there's so much as a vote for assistant dog catcher WE NEED TO VOTE.
13
@gc Great to see another concerned, engaged Arizonan. I couldn't agree more...
2
@gc
The time to vote was November 8, 2016. But Americans were so full of themselves that 95 MILLION registered voters didn’t even bother to vote.
The misogyny and sexism of Americans was nauseating. They actually thought that a Yale Law grad, former First Lady, a US Senator, and Secretary of State was as “evil” as a con artist with bankrupt casinos.
Anyone who didn’t vote for Hillary Clinton is responsible for the mess we are in. Neil Gorsuch is going to be around a LONG time on the Supreme Court and Kavanaugh may be joining him!
2
I hope that what really happened is the generals, the joint chiefs, told him to shove it.
10
When Trump is in prison for life there will be no more Twitter account and public communication from him; it can't come soon enough.
8
Yes, a fake bone spur will not be rewarded this year. Let’s not forget next year, we must spur on the opposition.
5
The only parade I want to see is the one conducted by civilians celebrating the day Trump is no longer President.
15
Once again he fixes a problem of his own creation.
9
Just about the only morsel of good news in the time 45 has been in office.
There are so many better ways to honor our active military and veterans: quality healthcare, job programs, education, housing, etc.
Daughter and wife of veterans.
Ruth Hendry
4
The only smart thing he's done, and he blames it on someone else. I think nothing more needs to be said.
10
The bemused comments here are inspiring. People apparently believe that the more farcical Trump becomes, and the more childish and deranged he looks, the larger the price he’ll pay. Nope. His cult doesn’t care how ridiculous he looks. He’s theirs and they love him and they always will (until they discover, if they ever do, how badly they’ve been had). Anybody who thinks otherwise is in for a big surprise in November 2020.
6
@ADN
why does the trump base not kick in all the extra money they have gotten from the tax cuts in big wage increases & buy him the parade? They could hold it in an abandoned soybean field & ban the press from covering it. He could wear that new uniform that is bright white with gold braid & lots of ribbons & medals.
1
Sad but true.
What's the song? I Love a Parade?
All I hear coming out of Trump's mouth is, I love trump.
6
Parade cancelled? And America was so looking forward to seeing The Donald all suited out in his pretend general uniform covered in "medals."
9
Maybe Trump really does enjoy military history. He doesn't need to read books about it. He watches a lot of TV, so he probably does what I do: channel surf, land on a half-over documentary on some epic battle, satisfy my/his short attention span, and absorb a few historical factoids totally out of context.
5
theDon's 'logic' .. the troops are on duty 24/7, and the planes need a fly by and tanks a drive by for a celebratory post election CIC Review on PA Ave, thus its all those added costs tagged on by the city and states.
4
The pain goes on.
The folly goes on.
The show goes on.
As in that story about an Emperor not wearing any clothes.
People miss, I think, the moral of the story.
It ends in the air. It was meant to.
The Emperor realizes at the close, "My goodness! I am altogether NAKED. I'm not wearing a STITCH of clothing."
Well and good.
But that's not the END. Not really.
The END comes when our hapless Emperor--deluded by his own folly, his own vanity--realizes nonetheless, "The show MUST go on. I MUST continue walking along--ignoring the stares, the smirks of every human being on the street."
I verily believe, that's where our President is right now.
His "moral authority" is eroded. I suspect--though I do not know--his so-called "base" may be crumbling. Like the banks of the Red River in a thunderstorm. People who declared themselves ardent Trump supporters a year ago--
--do so no longer. They blush to hear his name. They turn away crimson-faced. They have nothing to say.
BUT. . . .
. . .the show--that never-ending reality show that is not only Mr. Trump's administration. . . .
. . .but in a very real sense, his LIFE. . .
. .that show MUST go on. I expect it will. In some form or other.
But it seems the big military show is off. Well, take heart, Mr. President.
Get on YouTube. Look at video clips of the RUSSIANS doing the same thing. Parading all that military hardware. It's almost the same thing.
Almost.
Isn't it?
8
What did the gallant warrior, Old Bone Spurs, the defender of Queens, hope to accomplish with this display? Perhaps one more step toward despotic behavior, wanting a reality show for Kim and his boss Putin to rave over, or, spend more of our money on a pure waste of resources.
Should this spectacle happen how many triple super patriots and Trump supporters will line the parade route with their confederate flags in honor of his dotardness?
7
"Mr. Trump’s dream of a military parade with tanks barreling down the streets and fighter jets flying above him has faced resistance" is crazytown c-r-a-z-y. Where's my PaWADE?!??
This money should go anywhere but a parade: fund care for veterans or fund public schools so that people have more career options than Wal-Mart or the military in poor communities.
He's not touting war to keep us safe, he's pushing to build new weapons to inflate his employment numbers and pay off his donors - and look like one of the militant strong men he so admires.
It's funny in the scariest of ways.
9
While I know the "$92 million" is magic money that doesn't sit in an account somewhere, it's worth noting that that sum equals about 25,000 average-sized Pell Grants. Which would benefit the country more: a dumb parade or helping 25,000 people get college educations?
12
I have a much better use for that $21.6 to 90 million. Use every cent to ensure the electronic voting systems in EVERY American county are protected against any and all forms of hacking, and nefarious expunging of voters from the registered voter rolls.
Assign cyber experts to an ASAP audit of each county's voting system - especially those highlighted "at high risk". This protects the most cherished franchise of the United States citizenry - Voting. A military parade honoring Donald Kim Jong-Trump is a waste - just like POTUS Trump.
Emergency is already on "red alert" - please read:
https://statescoop.com/states-with-most-vulnerable-voting-systems-named-...
Most vulnerable (Tier I and II) are: Florida, Georgia, Delaware, New Jersey, Louisiana, South Carolina, Arizona, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, New Hampshire, Tennessee, Texas, Wisconsin. Please notice: How many of these states are "Red" and where Republicans are most vulnerable?
Military parades in front of a despot (Trump) don't make the United States "great". It's megalomania and narcissism on national display. Voting and our democracy is what really makes our nation great. North Korea and Russia have meaningless elections, but great military parades. Our country is so much better than this, but only if Republicans really are bonded to their solemn oath of upholding and protecting the Constitutional rights of every American.
7
Ms. Bowser for DC mayor! Oh, she already has that job....Ms. Bowser for president of the USA!
4
I think that the real reason he nixed the parade was that Congress would not agree with his plan to award himself the Congressional Medal of Honor to wear on the new Commander in Chief uniform that he has already had made for himself.
Plus, Melanie told him the jodhpurs look ridiculous.
3
Instead of a military parade trump should walk down a Pennsylvania Avenue so we can see how those heel spurs are doing.
10
@ErnestC
When he was over in London I saw him floating in the air and there were no bonespurs anywhere to be seen!
Praise the Lord! He's CURED!!!!
4
DC right on. So proud...and our really HUGE celebration will come when Agent Orange is led into court in an orange jump suit.
2
I wish President Enemy-of-the-People would stop dividing America. There are some very fine people on both sides of this very, very important debate.
9
As if a few tanks and fighter jets would really impress a potential adversary. Is there really a country somewhere that is planning on going to war with us, but will change its mind because 20 tanks parade down the streets of DC?
5
Why would someone who avoided the draft want a military parade for?
6
I suggest that the extended Trump family get dressed up in some appropriate Gilbert & Sullivan military-like uniforms and march around the grounds of the White House.
The Secret Service could shoot off fireworks.
I am sure that some band out in Trump-land would be happy to provide the music.
POTUS would have to be careful not to injure his bone spurs.
6
@Fred
Excellent post Fred, now how do I get "He's the very model of a modern Major General" out of my head?
Because Mr. trump has cited cost as the reason for canceling we can safely assume that cost had nothing to do with the actual reason for cancelling.
A more likely scenario is that Mr. trump thought better of the optics of a military parade after an electoral rout where his authoritarian / wannabe-dictator personality was roundly rejected.
10
And perhaps someone was not giving him a cut.
I believe Mayor Bowser. But, of course, with Donald Trump...it is always someone else's fault.
6
Trump may feel the need to overcompensate for personal inadequacies, but our veterans and serving military personnel don't. Maybe if he had done one courageous act in his life this useless character would have an iota of understanding of how we might truly honor people who get sent to die so we all can continue to go shopping and cuddle up in our warm beds. What am I saying? That understanding would require empathy; sociopaths don't know empathy. Sad.
5
“Others have said it may not be the best use of the Defense Department’s money.“
No, it is not the best use of taxpayers money, where is the DoD getting its money from?
10
Aw, the poor Commander-in-chief. He doesn't get his photo-op to show off his toys to the world. What a disappointment it must be for him.
Thankfully, grown-ups prevailed.
At least, for now.
9
Finally!! The parade would have been a total waste of money. Use that money to help homeless veterans!!
I suspect that the negative backlash, especially from veterans,and the military got to Mr. Trump.
4
He's not doing it because he's afraid of the negative affect it will have on the mid term elections, so although he always wants to grandstand, he realizes this is not the time, so he's forced to do this.
10
But he’s got to have someone to blame and deflect away from him.