President Trump’s army parade this weekend is anticipated to be a expensive show of pomp and circumstance – and it’s being bankrolled by some main Massive Tech giants.
Oracle, Lockheed Martin, Palantir, Coinbase and Amazon have not too long ago donated to America250, the nonprofit elevating funds for the nation’s semiquincentennial anniversary, the group stated.
“Many of these sponsors will support the upcoming grand military parade being held in Washington, DC, on Saturday, June 14, to celebrate the US Army’s 250th birthday,” America250 stated in a press launch this week.
Oracle confirmed it’s sponsoring Saturday’s parade, as did Exiger, an AI-powered provide chain administration firm, and Lockheed Martin, which known as it a “momentous occasion.”
Palantir, Coinbase and Amazon didn’t reply to The Put up’s requests for remark.
The nonprofit has listed a number of different sponsors on its web site, together with Coca-Cola; Phorm Vitality, an vitality drink from Anheuser-Busch; Scott’s Miracle Gro; and Stellantis auto manufacturers Chrysler, Jeep, Ram and Dodge.
The parade marks 250 years for the reason that Continental Military was fashioned to tackle the British – but it surely’s confronted substantial warmth from critics who argue it’s an over-the-top celebration for Trump’s 79th birthday, which additionally falls on Saturday.
With flyovers, fireworks, rows of tanks and army bands, it’s anticipated to value tens of hundreds of thousands of {dollars}, which Trump dismissed as “peanuts compared to the value of doing it.”
A number of America250 sponsors appeared to distance themselves from the parade, as an alternative specializing in subsequent yr’s occasions celebrating 250 years of US independence.
FedEx confirmed it’s sponsoring America250’s different occasions. A supply near the matter informed The Put up this doesn’t embody Saturday’s parade.
Walmart donated a whopping $500,000 to America250, however clarified these funds should not backing the parade.
“This funding will support the US Army’s National Museum Revolutionary War Exhibit and celebrations honoring youth who have signed up to serve in the Navy and Marine Corps,” a Walmart spokesperson informed The Put up.
“While we are not sponsors of the Army’s parade, we are providing water for attendees.”
Meta was listed as a sponsor in an America250 press launch in Might, although the Fb proprietor confirmed it minimize ties with the nonprofit in 2022.
“While we are not currently a sponsor, we have had a historical relationship with America250, and we are actively exploring potential partnership opportunities with them in the future,” a Meta spokesperson informed The Put up.
That very same yr, 4 feminine staff on the nonprofit filed a lawsuit alleging “cronyism, self-dealing, mismanagement of funds, potentially unlawful contracting practices and wasteful spending,” in addition to a poisonous, sexist work setting.
One of many plaintiffs stated she expressed considerations a few “potentially unlawful quid-pro-quio” by which Meta would give a $10 million donation in alternate for rights to map nationwide parks with drones for its “own business purposes,” the Washington Put up reported on the time.
The plaintiffs settled with America250 in 2024, in response to court docket filings.
The nonprofit didn’t reply to The Put up’s requests for remark.
A spokesperson for Meta declined to touch upon the allegations within the go well with and didn’t reply to an inquiry about whether or not a donation was made to America250 earlier than the contract was killed.
America250 was created as a bipartisan initiative by Congress after the passage of the US Semiquincentennial Fee Act of 2016.
Its members embody Lawyer Normal Pam Bondi, Inside Secretary Doug Burgum, Protection Secretary Pete Hegseth and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, in addition to Republican and Democratic senators – together with Sen. Alex Padilla (D – Calif.), who was not too long ago eliminated and handcuffed after interrupting Homeland Safety Secretary Kristi Noem’s press briefing.
