Oracle, Amazon, Lockheed Martin quietly funding Trump’s military parade

President Trump’s upcoming military parade is set to be a lavish and expensive affair, with funding coming from major Big Tech companies. Oracle, Lockheed Martin, Palantir, Coinbase, and Amazon have all made donations to America250, the nonprofit organization responsible for raising funds for the nation’s 250th anniversary celebrations.

The parade, scheduled for Saturday, June 14th in Washington, DC, is in honor of the 250th anniversary of the US Army. Several companies, including Oracle, Exiger, and Lockheed Martin, have confirmed their sponsorship of the event. Other sponsors listed on the America250 website include Coca-Cola, Phorm Energy, Scott’s Miracle Gro, and Stellantis auto brands Chrysler, Jeep, Ram, and Dodge.

Despite the historical significance of the parade, critics have raised concerns about its extravagant nature, especially since it coincides with President Trump’s 79th birthday. The event is expected to feature flyovers, fireworks, tanks, and military bands, with a price tag reaching tens of millions of dollars.

While some sponsors have distanced themselves from the parade, focusing instead on next year’s events celebrating US independence, others like FedEx and Walmart have clarified their involvement. Walmart, for example, donated $500,000 to America250 but specified that the funds were not for the parade.

Meta, the parent company of Facebook, was initially listed as a sponsor but later cut ties with America250 in 2022. The organization has faced controversy in the past, with allegations of mismanagement and wasteful spending leading to a lawsuit by four female employees. The lawsuit was settled in 2024.

America250 was established as a bipartisan initiative by Congress, with members including prominent figures like Attorney General Pam Bondi and Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Despite the challenges and controversies surrounding the organization, its mission to commemorate the nation’s 250th anniversary remains a significant and historic undertaking.