GOP Senators Freak Out When Asked About Trump’s Military Parade Costing $45 Million

Some Republican senators seemed really uncomfortable when asked a basic question: would they be going to Donald Trump’s military parade in Washington, D.C., and were they okay with its estimated \$45 million cost? Most avoided answering directly. Some didn’t respond at all. Some just stared into space. Others quickly got into elevators to dodge the question.

Senator Todd Young from Indiana wasn’t happy to be asked. When pressed, he didn’t answer directly about the cost. Instead, he shifted to talking about a completely different bill involving trillions of dollars. When a reporter pointed out he hadn’t actually answered the question, Young snapped, saying he answered the question he *wanted* to answer.

Senator Deb Fischer from Nebraska said she wouldn’t be in town but wished she could go. When asked about the parade’s cost, she walked into an elevator and avoided further comment.

Senator Ted Budd from North Carolina didn’t say a word—he just smiled, waited in silence, and stepped into an elevator.

Others were similarly evasive. Senator Mike Lee from Utah said he might go but admitted he didn’t know anything about the parade’s cost. Senator Jim Risch from Idaho said he had plans in Boise and dodged any questions about the money, saying, “That’s all you’re going to get.”

Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith from Mississippi brushed it off completely, saying she doesn’t do interviews in the hallways, even though that’s where most reporters talk to senators.

Senator Tom Cotton from Arkansas gave a blunt “No comment” and repeated it.

Why all the hesitation? Probably because the parade is a politically sensitive topic. While it’s being promoted as a celebration of the U.S. Army’s 250th birthday, it’s also scheduled right around Trump’s 79th birthday and looks a lot like a tribute to him. It’ll feature thousands of soldiers, 150 military vehicles, and over 50 aircraft. At the same time, people across the country plan to protest Trump’s actions on immigration and his decision to use the military in U.S. cities. These “No Kings Day” protests are happening in every state—just not in D.C.

Republicans have often criticized government spending under Trump, so it would look bad to support a \$45 million parade that isn’t really necessary. But criticizing it might upset Trump, so many of them are just avoiding the issue.

Still, a few were willing to defend the cost. Senator Markwayne Mullen from Oklahoma said the Army deserves a celebration and that he supported it, though he wouldn’t attend because it’s his wedding anniversary.

Senator Jim Justice from West Virginia was all for it, saying he thinks America should put on a big show to impress the world. He didn’t mind the cost, arguing that a small, modest event wouldn’t have the same impact.

Senator Rand Paul from Kentucky stood out as the only Republican willing to speak out against the parade. He said it was too expensive and sent the wrong message. For him, images of military parades bring to mind authoritarian regimes like North Korea or the old Soviet Union—things he doesn’t believe America should be copying.

So, while the official line is that the parade is to honor the Army, behind the scenes it’s clearly more complicated—about money, politics, and not upsetting the former president.