In what was billed as a celebration of patriotism and military might, President Trump’s latest parade in Washington, D.C., instead unveiled a troubling trifecta of commercialization, exploitation, and authoritarian glorification.
Even more disturbingly than the rain-soaked soldiers forced to march for optics, the stage itself was plastered with corporate sponsorships—from Coinbase and Palantir to Lockheed Martin and UFC—brands that have no place in what should have been a solemn, nonpartisan tribute to service and sacrifice. Multiple media outlets confirmed that these corporations helped fund the parade’s multimillion-dollar price tag, which was publicly justified as a patriotic celebration. In reality, it looked more like a cross between a weapons expo and a political rally.
This was not a show of support for our troops. It was a carefully curated spectacle of propaganda and profit.
As military personnel marched past the Commander in Chief in soaking wet uniforms, they weren’t just props for a political performance—they were also unwitting brand ambassadors, used to elevate not only Trump’s image, but also the visibility of powerful tech and defense companies. Soldiers were reduced to scenery in an authoritarian stage play—part marketing tool, part power symbol, all dehumanized.
But not everyone involved remained silent. In a remarkably subtle act of resistance, the military band performed Creedence Clearwater Revival’s “Fortunate Son,” a searing antiwar anthem famously critical of the privileged elites who dodge military service while glorifying war from a distance. With lyrics like “It ain’t me, I ain’t no senator’s son… I ain’t no fortunate one,” the song served as a quiet but powerful rebuke of the very spectacle unfolding around them. It was a protest hidden in plain sight—under the radar, but unmistakable to anyone listening closely.
This deeply disrespects the very people it claimed to honor. It’s one thing to host a national parade to boost morale or commemorate a historical event—but it’s another thing entirely to use public service members as walking billboards and ideological accessories.
And let’s not forget the broader context: the man presiding over this spectacle is a convicted felon who has lied pathologically, stoked division, enabled white supremacy, and stood by as the U.S. Capitol was attacked—only to later pardon those who fueled the violence. That parade wasn’t just a distraction; it was a stage-managed exercise in revisionism and authoritarian myth-building, funded in part by the very corporations that profit from instability and militarization.
True respect for the military isn’t about flags, slogans, or flashy parades—it’s about honoring their humanity, protecting their dignity, and refusing to use them as political or corporate instruments.
What we witnessed was not patriotism.
It was pageantry, propaganda, and profit.
And yes, soldiers were humiliated by their own Commander in Chief—while brands cashed in, a band played in protest, and the public was fed a spectacle dressed in red, white, and blue.
Shame on those who celebrated it.
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