Raining on his parade: trump's military blunder

A clear majority of Americans are opposed to the US President’s army parade, and his handling of immigration and the economy Martin Burns 12 June 2025 President Donald Trump prays during a

commencement ceremony on the parade field, at the United States Military Academy in West Point Junes 2020. Photo: Alex Brandon/Associated Press/Alamy _Byline Times_ is an independent,

reader-funded investigative newspaper, outside of the system of the established press, reporting on ‘what the papers don’t say’ – without fear or favour. FOR DIGITAL AND PRINT EDITIONS,

PACKED WITH EXCLUSIVE INVESTIGATIONS, ANALYSIS, FEATURES, AND COLUMNS…. Polling released by the _Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research_ – a respected non-partisan

organisation based at the University of Chicago – suggests that 60% of Americans believe that President Donald Trump’s proposed military parade, due to commemorate the 250th anniversary of

the founding of the US Army on 14 June, is not a good use of public funds. Notably, the date of the parade coincides with Trump’s birthday, raising questions about whether the event is a

national celebration or a personal vanity project. The proposed show of military strength would include aircraft flyovers and troop displays through the streets of Washington DC – echoing

Trump’s controversial 2019 “Salute to America” celebration held on Independence Day. According to reporting by _ABC News_, the US Army expects the parade to cost between $25 million and $40

million – a figure critics argue could be better spent on veterans’ services, public infrastructure or military readiness. Across political lines, opposition to the parade is substantial.

Among Democratic voters, 80% believe it is a poor use of public money. Among Independents – a key voting bloc in US elections – 72% agree. Even within the Republican Party, which remains

Trump’s political base, only 65% support the idea. The AP/NORC polling also highlights broader dissatisfaction with Trump’s leadership. Sixty per cent of respondents disapprove of his

overall job performance – a figure that rises to 71% among Independent voters. It’s time to shake off our ‘Trump denial syndrome’ and wake up to the clear and present danger posed by the

President, argues Alexandra Hall Hall Alexandra Hall Hall Immigration – long seen as one of Trump’s core political issues – has also become a source of division. According to the poll, 53%

of Americans disapprove of his handling of immigration. Among Democratic voters, this figure rises sharply to 84%, with 62% of Independents also expressing disapproval. Only among Republican

voters – 83% of whom approve of his immigration policies – does Trump retain significant support. The economy – another pillar of Trump’s political identity – is no longer a stronghold

either. The polling suggests that 60% disapprove of his economic leadership, with one in four Republicans (25%) rating his performance poorly. This erosion of support comes despite Trump’s

claims that his presidency ushered in historic economic growth, low unemployment and strong stock market returns prior to the Coronavirus pandemic. Adding a touch of irony, _The Washington

Post_ has reported that the planned parade might be disrupted by thunderstorms. While such weather-related uncertainty is outside Trump’s control, it adds to a string of unfavourable

developments for the President. Beyond the question of whether the parade goes ahead, the broader message of the polling is clear: a majority of Americans disapprove not only of a

high-profile military spectacle, but of Trump’s leadership more broadly – on policy, performance and principles.