In terms of sheer numbers, the “No Kings” events that took place the same day as the parade dwarfed the Trump administration’s event, drawing between four and six million people, according to an estimate from data journalist G. Elliot Morris and outside analysts. The event’s organizers have put the number at more than 5 million.

Calculating crowd size can be a challenge, and estimates for both Trump’s parade and ‘No Kings’ protests vary widely.

Donald Trump threw a military parade in honor of the U.S. Army’s 250th anniversary on Saturday, June 14 (a date that happens to be the president’s birthday) to the tune of $25 to $45 million. But unfortunately for Trump, photos and videos from the big day show sparse attendance and a lack of organization from top to bottom.

President Trump’s military parade in D.C., meant to honor the U.S. Army’s 250th anniversary, triggered massive nationwide protests against authoritarianism under the slogan “No Kings.”

Army's 250th anniversary celebrated with a military parade in Washington, D.C., on Trump's birthday. 'No Kings' protests by opponents are planned across the country.

Coinciding with Flag Day, the anniversary of the adoption of the Stars and Stripes as the official U.S. flag, and the Army’s 250th anniversary, organizers say the protest is in response to President Donald Trump’s military parade , cuts to Veterans Affairs resources and other cuts to social services and federal departments.

Washtenaw County Commissioner Yousef Rabhi speaks at the "No Kings" protest against Donald Trump outside the Federal Building in downtown Ann Arbor on June 14, 2025. Ann Arbor joined cities across the U.S. in a nationwide day of defiance. (Ryan Stanton | MLive.com) Ryan Stanton | The Ann Arbor News

A wave of nationwide No Kings protests swept across major cities Saturday, drawing thousands to the streets and spotlighting a growing chorus of Hollywood voices pushing back against what they view as rising authoritarianism.