President Donald Trump reportedly blamed Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth for what he viewed as a disappointing military parade held June 14, 2025, to commemorate both the Army’s 250th anniversary and his 79th birthday, according to biographer Michael Wolff.
Wolff appeared on The Daily Beast Podcast and claimed Trump was furious with the tone of the parade, which took place on Constitution Avenue in downtown Washington, D.C. The President allegedly wanted a menacing show of force but instead received what Wolff described as a festive display.
According to Wolff, Trump was particularly upset with the soldiers’ demeanor during the parade. The biographer indicated that Trump accused the military personnel of having too good a time, waving and enjoying themselves rather than projecting the intimidating military image he desired. Wolff stated that “He’s p***ed off at the soldiers.”
Social media users noted that the soldiers appeared to march out of sync as they made their way down the parade route. The event drew criticism online for sparse crowds and what observers characterized as listless performances by the marching troops.
Wolff claimed Trump held Hegseth responsible for the parade’s execution and confronted him in a heated phone call afterward. During this conversation, Trump allegedly questioned why the tone was wrong and demanded to know who staged the event. The biographer indicated that Trump expressed frustration that the parade failed to convey his intended message of being commander-in-chief of a formidable military force.
The parade was scheduled despite weather forecasts predicting rain, though the precipitation never materialized. Trump later told reporters on Sunday that the event was a tremendous success with a fantastic audience, emphasizing that forecasters had given it a 100 percent chance of rain but the weather remained clear and beautiful.
The military demonstration coincided with nationwide protests called “No Kings” demonstrations, which drew significant participation across the country. The American Civil Liberties Union reported that over five million people participated in approximately 2,100 rallies and protests nationwide on the same day, expressing opposition to Trump’s immigration policies.
White House Communications Director Steven Cheung responded forcefully to Wolff’s claims, calling the biographer a liar and a proven fraud. Cheung indicated that Wolff routinely fabricates stories from his imagination, attributing this to what he characterized as a severe case of Trump Derangement Syndrome that has affected the author’s mental faculties.
The multi-million dollar parade featured thousands of soldiers marching alongside tanks past bleachers that appeared largely vacant in social media posts. Critics online compared the lackadaisical marching style to a casual walk rather than a formal military demonstration.
Wolff, who has authored several books about Trump, suggested that the actual attendance was significantly lower than Trump’s claims. While the President asserted without evidence that over 250,000 people attended, Wolff estimated the crowd at closer to 40,000 people.
The biographer indicated that attendees were actually celebrating the military’s 250-year history more than Trump’s birthday. However, this celebratory atmosphere apparently conflicted with Trump’s vision of projecting strength and authority through the military display.
Following the parade, Trump indicated plans to intensify immigration enforcement in major Democratic cities. In a lengthy post on Truth Social the next day, he suggested expanding such enforcement efforts, claiming without evidence that these cities use undocumented immigrants to boost their voter demographics.
The reported tension between Trump and Hegseth over the parade’s execution highlights the President’s focus on the symbolic aspects of military displays and his expectations for how such events should project American power. The contrast between Trump’s public praise and his alleged private criticism underscores the importance he places on controlling the narrative around major events during his administration.