On Tuesday, the Washington Post reported that at Donald Trump’s direction, the Pentagon has begun planning a large-scale military event in Washington inspired by France’s Bastille Day parade. Well, Donald might want a silly parade, but on social media many of his fellow Americans weren’t having it.
“The marching orders were: I want a parade like the one in France,” a military official told The Washington Post. “This is being worked at the highest levels of the military.”
Twitter was divided but not entirely along familiar party lines. Liberals were lockstep against the idea, but while many supporters were all in, even some of his biggest fans didn’t like the idea. Opponents noted the financial burden of such an event, and still others pointed out that parades like the one Trump reportedly wants look straight-up like dictator-type stuff.
Fox News contributor Britt McHenry tried to label opposition to military spectacle as some kind of liberal hippocrisy. “What about all the liberals who love marches? I’d rather see that than women wearing unicorn & p***y hats,” he said. “Let’s be honest here.” Sure, ok man.
Others pointed out that Trump’s military bluster comes in contrast to his five medical deferments (four for college, one for bone spurs) during the Vietnam war draft. “Brought to you by the 5x draft dodger,” tweeted Amy Siskind.
“The American military is awesome. Mighty displays of military power marching through civilian streets in the United States are not,” tweeted outspoken Trump booster Ben Shapiro.
Or, as Oscar-winner Patricia Arquette bluntly put it, the parade idea is “a classic early Hitler move.”
Things that dictators do… https://t.co/W2bCn5eskS
— Keith Boykin (@keithboykin) February 6, 2018
Trump wants a Soviet-style military parade, something weak leaders do to try to look strong. https://t.co/HmL7TVGDnV
— Garry Kasparov (@Kasparov63) February 6, 2018
Brought to you by the 5x draft dodger:
“….officials say they have begun to plan a grand military parade later this year showcasing the might of America’s armed forces.” https://t.co/9UJksxeaeu— Amy Siskind ?️? (@Amy_Siskind) February 6, 2018
Oh my god… he wants to be Kim Jong Un… https://t.co/a0Rwj4rfaH
— Joy-Ann (Pro-Democracy) Reid ? (@JoyAnnReid) February 7, 2018
The #Pentagon is trending because of a possible military parade? What about all the liberals who love marches? I’d rather see that then women wearing unicorn & p***y hats. Let’s be honest here.
— Britt McHenry (@BrittMcHenry) February 7, 2018
At Trump’s direction, the Pentagon is planning large-scale military parade inspired by Bastille Day celebrations, per WaPo.
The cost of shipping equipment and hardware to D.C. could run in the millions and military officials are unclear how to pay for it. https://t.co/3PvlPBVNEw
— Kyle Griffin (@kylegriffin1) February 6, 2018
Would the parade be during the shutdown Trump is hoping for? If so, would soldiers have to march for free? Would not applauding be treason? It's hard having a senile criminal emperor! So much to keep up with!
— Mark Harris (@MarkHarrisNYC) February 7, 2018
https://twitter.com/BySteveReilly/status/961023631085264900
The American military is awesome. Mighty displays of military power marching through civilian streets in the United States are not. https://t.co/HH2JZbW7uq
— Ben Shapiro (@benshapiro) February 6, 2018
In a classic early Hitler move Trump will have a military parade & try to embolden his crazed followers.
— Patricia Arquette (@PattyArquette) February 7, 2018