Donald Trump cancels military parade because of ‘ridiculously high’ price

By Gabriella Muñoz - The Washington Times - Friday, August 17, 2018

President Trump cancelled the military parade on Friday and blamed local D.C. politicians for wanting a price “so ridiculously high.”

The local politicians who run Washington, D.C. (poorly) know a windfall when they see it. When asked to give us a price for holding a great celebratory military parade, they wanted a number so ridiculously high that I cancelled it. Never let someone hold you up! I will instead…
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 17, 2018

The president said he will lower costs by attending a parade at Andrews Air Force Base and Paris’ military parade. The savings could go toward more fighter jets, Mr. Trump said.

….attend the big parade already scheduled at Andrews Air Force Base on a different date, & go to the Paris parade, celebrating the end of the War, on November 11th. Maybe we will do something next year in D.C. when the cost comes WAY DOWN. Now we can buy some more jet fighters!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 17, 2018

On Thursday, the Pentagon announced the Veterans Day parade was postponed until 2019.

Earlier in the day, CNBC released a report that said the parade could cost $92 million. Initial estimates had the price tag at $12 million. Secretary of Defense James N. Mattis denied that report and said he has not seen the full cost estimate for the event.

“I have not seen an estimate for $92 million,” Mr. Mattis told AP reporters, “Whoever told you that is probably smoking something that’s illegal in my state but not in most states.”

The American Legion called on the president to cancel the parade Thursday night after the exuberant price tag was reported.

“The American Legion appreciates that our President wants to show in a dramatic fashion our nation’s support for our troops,” National Commander of The American Legion Denise Rohan said in a statement. “However, until such time as we can celebrate victory in the War on Terrorism and bring our military home, we think the parade money would be better spent fully funding the Department of Veteran Affairs and giving our troops and their families the best care possible.”