Latest news with #USArmy250th
Yahoo
05-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Melania Trump Wears New York-made Adam Lippes Suit for U.S. Army Grand Military Parade
As thousands continued to march in 'No Kings' protests in cities nationwide, President Donald Trump and the First Lady kicked off the celebrations of the U.S. Army's 250th anniversary with the Grand Military Parade Saturday night. The much-anticipated multimillion dollar event started early due to a rainy forecast, and it followed a day of festivities in the Beltway. Fireworks were planned to cap off Saturday's all-day celebration, which marked the establishment of the U.S. Army on June 14, 1775, by the Second Continental Congress. With George Washington serving as its first commander, it was then known as the Continental Army. More from WWD Former 'Project Runway' Designer Identified as Fatal Victim in Shooting at 'No Kings' March in Salt Lake City WWD's Late Gossip Columnist 'Suzy' to Be Celebrated at Kent State University Museum Show FN 80: Even Before Trump's Tariffs, Rising Production Costs in China Shifted the Sourcing Landscape More than 6,000 soldiers, WWII Sherman tanks, Black Hawk helicopters and various other military vehicles and aircraft were part of the proceedings. The anniversary extravaganza coincided with the 79th birthday of President Trump, who stuck with his favored unofficial uniform of a navy suit, white shirt and red tie. The First Lady also kept things conservative wearing an ivory and navy pinstriped double-breasted blazer with silver-tone buttons and a coordinating long skirt from Adam Lippes. The Buffalo-born designer was also her resource for the navy and white ensemble that she wore to her husband's swearing-in ceremony in January. Just as that tailored navy silk wool coat, coordinating pencil skirt and an ivory silk crepe blouse were made in New York City, so too was the ivory suit that she wore to Saturday's parade. The 55-year-old former model polished up the look with Christian Louboutin denim pumps. Her ensemble was believed to have been purchased in an Adam Lippes store in New York City. The Lippes-designed pinstriped jacket retails for $2,490 on Farfetch's site. While Jill Biden, Michelle Obama, Hillary Clinton, Laura Bush and several other former first ladies were known to work directly with designers personally or via staffers to choose specific outfits for key appearances, FLOTUS' stylist Herve Pierre is a frequent retail shopper. That became a more common practice during Trump's first administration after some American designers spoke out about not wanting to dress the First Lady, if asked. Although Vice President JD Vance's wife Usha was born in California, she has purchased some clothes for key appearance in the tristate area. The strapless Shoshanna architectural black dress that she chose for the premiere of 'Les Miserables' at the Kennedy Center earlier this week was made in New York. The $635 frock was bought by her stylist at the Windswept Boutique in New Jersey. On Saturday, the Second Lady sported a short-sleeve white blouse, and red pants that coordinated with her young daughter Mirabel's fire engine red dress. While her husband opted for the standard navy suit, white, shirt and red tie, their sons Ewan and Vivek were more dressed down in buttoned-down shirts and pants. Lippes is known to be a more low-key designer than some of the out-and-about fashion forces, who are highly active on social media and on New York City's social scene. Having developed a quiet luxury brand and opened stores in New York, Palm Beach and Houston, the designer has been working in the industry for a few decades. He first connected with Pierre in the mid-1990s, when they both worked at Oscar de la Renta, who suited up both Democratic and Republican first ladies during his lifetime. After Donald Trump's inauguration in January, Lippes told WWD that he had learned from de la Renta that 'there was no greater honor than to dress a first lady, whether for the inauguration or on down. Oscar is widely credited as styling Mrs. Clinton, but it was Mrs. Bush before that. And Oscar was actually friendly with both,' Lippes said at that time. 'So I've always had a far-reaching respect for the first family that was certainly instilled in me from Oscar. 'We dress who's in power' was I think maybe what he used to say. 'That's my job,'' he continued, 'In the ability to showcase what we can do, there's no greater stage.' While the First Couples were pretty much business casual at the U.S. Army's celebratory parade, the hundreds of thousands of 'No Kings' marchers and protesters that turned up in New York City, Los Angeles, Chicago, Boston, Boise and other U.S. cities were dressed more casually with many wearing T-shirts, sweatshirts, jeans and sundresses. The day of 'No Kings' protests was organized by a group called 50-50-1. Media requests to 50-50-1 were unreturned on Saturday. Best of WWD Kate Middleton's Looks at Trooping the Colour Through the Years [PHOTOS] Young Brooke Shields' Style Evolution, Archive Photos: From Runway Modeling & Red Carpets to Meeting Princess Diana The Most Memorable French Open Tennis Outfits With Serena Williams, Naomi Osaka & More [PHOTOS]
Yahoo
22-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Performances you missed from the U.S. Army's 250th birthday parade
Last week, Washington, D.C., transformed into a hub as it prepared to host the monumental 250th anniversary celebration of the United States Army. Against a backdrop of political discussions and public demonstrations, the city focused on commemorating this historic milestone for one of the nation's most enduring institutions. The celebration was a blend of musical performances, including country music artists, Army veterans and the esteemed U.S. Army Drill Team. Exhibitions throughout the parade showcased key military highlights from its 250-year history. Although President Donald Trump's 79th birthday coincided with the occasion, the spotlight remained on honoring the distinguished legacy and commitment of the United States Army. Here are a few of the highlights from the weekend's festivities. The U.S. Army Drill Team, a drill unit known for its precision drill and excellence, serves as 'good-will ambassadors,' per the military's website. The Drill Team is a part of the historic 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment, which is the Army's official ceremonial unit. Another captivating element during Saturday's parade was the display of military uniforms from various eras, along with commentary on technological and tactical evolutions in the military's operations. Grammy Award-winning country music legend Lee Greenwood performed his patriotic anthem, 'God Bless the USA,' capturing the spirit of the celebration. Greenwood later posted on social media about the event. Army veteran and Purple Heart recipient Scotty Hasting performed his song 'I'm America,' paying tribute to military service members. Hasting uses his music as a therapeutic outlet, in hopes of helping others struggling with loss or mental health challenges. 'For me, the demons of PTSD knock the loudest when it's quiet. When I have a guitar in my hands I find peace,' he shared on his website. Country music star Warren Zeiders performed a few of his hit songs, like 'Pretty Little Poison' and 'Ride the Lightning,' wishing the Army and the president a happy birthday. Zeiders took to X before the event, reposting a video with a military service member, highlighting the events about to take place. The celebration reached its grand finale with a breathtaking fireworks display that illuminated the night sky, concluding the U.S. Army's birthday festivities. Additional performances throughout the event included DJ Nyla Symone and Noah Hicks.
The Independent
16-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Independent
Trump's military parade was more of a kitsch day out than a dictator's display
S ome feared that Donald Trump's military parade would bring a touch of North Korea to the nation's capital. The sight of tanks rolling into the city in the same week the president deployed the troops to quell protests and delivered a deeply political speech to soldiers at Fort Bragg did little to alleviate those fears. But when the day came, it was something closer to a medium-sized town's July 4th celebration. There were families, picnics, bad weather and small crowds. There were no 20-foot missiles or long lines of intimidating military hardware. The sparse crowds that did turn out were instead treated to a history lesson about the U.S. Army to celebrate its 250th birthday (it also happened, by pure coincidence, to be Trump's 79th birthday). Some people feared the Washington, D.C., military parade would feel like something from North Korea. Instead it felt like a July 4 event. (EPA) As a regiment or unit would parade by, a voiceover told the crowd its history, and that same booming voice would intermittently follow up with a word for a sponsor. 'With thanks to our sponsor, Lockheed Martin,' the voice said after a touching tribute to the 1st Cavalry Division. Next, the same voice thanked the crypto platform Coinbase. Somewhere in the field behind, an energy drink company co-owned by Dana White, a friend of the president, was handing out free cans with the words 'screamin' freedom' on the front. People watch a military parade commemorating the Army's 250th anniversary. The weather kept some of the crowd away from the event. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson) Visitors watch members of the military march by. The event coincided with President Donald Trump's birthday. (Getty Images) The darker military parades that have become synonymous with tyrannical regimes around the world don't take breaks for corporate sponsors, nor do they sell pretzels, or have cooling tents. As Trump's favorite crooner Lee Greenwood took to the stage at sundown to sing 'God Bless the U.S.A,' the event took on a feel closer to Las Vegas than Pyongyang. More kitsch than threatening. But this event was more political than many Americans will be comfortable with. And even those who couldn't criticize the occasion doubted Trump's motives. 'This is the kind of thing that Stalin would have done. This is the kind of thing North Korea does. It sickens me that we're putting on this display just for one man's ego,' said Donna Stork, 73, who came from Hagerstown, Maryland, to protest. 'I have no problems with the Army having a celebration,' she said. 'What I do have a problem with is the implication that this is more about Trump and military might than it is about the 250th anniversary of people who fought and died for our country.' Members of the U.S. Army participated in the 250th birthday parade - which featured messages from corporate sponsors. (Getty Images) Trump and his wife, Melania, watch the fireworks that ended the parade. (POOL/AFP via Getty Images) Paul Scott, a Trump supporter who came from Dallas with his wife to watch the parade, did not appreciate the comparisons. 'You're a part of the tired media. We are exhausted with you,' he said. 'Go yell at everybody you want to yell at. We love hearing that you personally think that Donald Trump is North Korea's dictator. You're insane, not me.' Tanks, armored personnel carriers and artillery rumbled down Constitution Avenue, a rare sight in the U.S., which has rarely in modern history had to prove its military strength to anyone. Trump's parade was planned long ago, but it happened to come at the end of an eventful week in which the president trampled norms and tested laws governing his control of the U.S. military. He dispatched troops to Los Angeles to handle relatively minor protests and threatened to do the same to cities across the country. He gave a deeply politicized speech to soldiers at Fort Bragg, during which he criticized political opponents to the cheers of the enlisted behind him. After all that, Saturday's parade seemed like a relatively tame use of the world's most powerful military force. For many, though, especially veterans, it was a chance to pay tribute to their fallen comrades and to receive thanks for their own service. 'I retired from the Army 30 years ago and I came to honor all the people that came before me, all the friends that I've lost,' said Van Beal, 70, who first joined the Army in 1978, 'and just to be here because it's only going to be one 250th, so it's a wonderful opportunity.'
South China Morning Post
16-06-2025
- Politics
- South China Morning Post
Despite growing anger, Trump marches on with his projections of power
There was nothing wrong with the idea that America might want a 250th anniversary celebration of the US Army. The celebration that US President Donald Trump finally got after pushing for it since his first term could have been billed as a front-running event connected to the country's 250th birthday, since we are almost one year away from that significant date. Advertisement And for those longing for a break from the blood sport that US politics has become, the event did not end up as Trumpian as might have been expected. Although the president was positioned between two tanks on his reviewing stand – a set piece that made him appear as the central figure – he still managed to get through his speech without repeating election lies or lashing out at his political enemies . A gold star for him. Beginning with a historically costumed fife and drum corps and then continuing through the eras of battle machinery, the presentation did not veer into political territory unless you were watching on Fox News, where Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth offered commentary including: 'The haters can hate. Let them. We don't care.' The Trump-friendly Newsmax offered up commentary that would make North Korean leader Kim Jong-un blush. Meanwhile, major broadcast media such as CNN toggled between images of the parade and the millions of Americans at 'No Kings' demonstrations that proceeded from Bucksport, Maine to Los Angeles, where police used tear gas and flash bangs to disperse protesters. The nationwide demonstrations knocked the parade off the top headlines. A shooting during a march in Salt Lake City that left one person critically injured pushed Trump's event further below the fold. Advertisement The president must have known in the run-up to the parade how large and widespread the protests against him were shaping up to be. If he didn't, the political assassination of Minnesota lawmaker Melissa Hortman and her husband, which Minnesota Governor Tim Walz called an act of 'targeted political violence', should have given him the message that the nation needed a salve.
Yahoo
15-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Melania Appears to Doze Off During Trump's Birthday Military Parade
As President Donald Trump's birthday parade kicked off to sparse crowds and muted enthusiasm, all eyes were on those in Trump's inner circle who managed to make an appearance (those who didn't included his daughter Ivanka and her husband, Jared Kushner). Commenters on social media were quick to note that at several points throughout the parade, First Lady Melania Trump appeared to almost be dozing off, or at least resting her eyes at multiple intervals. At the very least, she looked incredibly bored, as did Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. Seated between them, Trump looked disappointed or disconcerted—whatever he was feeling, the sour expression on his face suggested it was not an overly positive emotion. Nearby on the stage, cameras caught Secretary of State Marco Rubio yawning as he leaned back in his chair while watching the $45 million proceedings go by. Attendees in the crowd were likely incredibly bored, too. As The New York Times reported, there were no speakers along the parade route, resulting in videos where the parade is so quiet all that can be heard is the squeaking of tanks as they roll down the street. As a result of the lack of speakers, attendees began leaving soon after the parade ended, meaning many missed Trump's speech, which the Times noted was on the shorter side. In his brief speech, Trump defended the decision to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the establishment of the United States Army, telling the crowd, 'Every other country celebrates their victories. It's about time America did, too.'
