Is a parade that aims to honor the nation considered authentic if it doesn’t air on national television?
Traditional news networks appear to be at odds regarding the appropriate reporting style for the grand military showcase orchestrated by the Trump administration in Washington D.C.’s streets. This June 14th event, featuring a celebration of the U.S. Army’s 250th anniversary, promises to be quite spectacle-worthy, showcasing various types of helicopters; Bradley vehicles; an impressive fireworks display; and a performance by the Golden Knights demonstration team via parachute jump.
While some may barely acknowledge the occasion, others will fully harness the capabilities of a national television newsroom for coverage.
ABC News, NBC News, and CBS News are not expected to interrupt their normal broadcasts for the event’s coverage based on insider information about their schedules. ABC News intends to cover the parade across multiple programs and platforms, with live streaming on ABC News Live starting at 6:00 p.m. ET on June 14. NBC News will have special event coverage led by anchors Aaron Gilchrist and Kelly O’Donnell on their streaming platform, NBC News Now.
The uncertainty among broadcasters regarding their coverage suggests that this parade may turn out to be quite an unusual event.
On one side, exhibiting military might on American soil is rare, even potentially propaganda-like, reminiscent of what usually takes place in countries like North Korea. Some Republicans seem to disapprove of this idea, comparing it to the type of action typically observed in foreign dictatorships. Rand Paul, a Republican from Kentucky, told reporters on Tuesday that he has never been fond of soldiers marching in formation with large tanks and missiles moving down the street.
As a keen observer, I can’t help but express my amazement at the upcoming event, which is estimated to cost anywhere from $25 million to $45 million, as shared by a U.S. Army spokesperson. This spectacle will undeniably cause road closures in the densely populated Washington, D.C., and there have been discussions about potential damage to the roadways due to the heavy vehicles and weaponry involved. It’s not an everyday occurrence for Americans, making it a unique opportunity for them to witness such a spectacle through coverage.
Several news organizations are eager to broadcast the upcoming parade extensively. Fox Corporation’s Fox News Channel has decided to replace its Saturday schedule with four hours of special programming. The show titled “Army 250 Parade” will air from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m., hosted by Lawrence Jones, a co-host from “Fox & Friends”, and Emily Compagno, a co-host from “Outnumbered”. They will be broadcasting live from Washington D.C. During the day, Charlie Hurt, Rachel Campos-Duffy, and Johnny Joey Jones, hosts of “Fox & Friends Weekend”, will provide updates and previews live from West Potomac Park in Washington D.C., with guests such as Secretary of the Army Dan Driscoll joining them to discuss the event.
As an ardent follower, I’m thrilled to share that Nexstar’s News Nation has an exciting plan in store for us. They are committing extensive coverage to the upcoming event, kicking off with a special evening-long program starting at 6 p.m., which Leland Vittert and Anna Kooiman will jointly anchor. This special coverage will be a heartfelt “Tribute to America.” Moreover, their morning show, “Morning in America,” will feature the Army drill team’s performances and offer a sneak peek at the military vehicles that will grace the spectacle.
ABC is opting for their usual broadcast schedule due to several reasons. This Saturday evening, they will air the UFL championship game live in prime time, a sports event that still attracts substantial, live viewership even in this streaming era. On the other hand, CBS currently has pre-scheduled re-runs of the drama “Elsbeth” and an episode of “48 Hours,” while NBC is prepared to telecast reality shows like “Destination X” and “Yes, Chef!” during their regular programming.
The Trump Administration hasn’t made significant efforts to strengthen relationships with mainstream television news networks and their parent companies. In recent times, Trump has filed lawsuits against both ABC News and CBS News due to coverage he perceived as unfavorable, with legal analysts suggesting these media companies could have emerged victorious in court. Disney paid a $15 million settlement to Donald Trump’s presidential library following an on-air statement by anchor George Stephanopoulos that incorrectly suggested Trump had been found guilty of raping writer E. Jean Carroll. While a jury did find Trump liable for sexual abuse, he continued to deny any wrongdoing. Concurrently, CBS News’ parent company, Paramount Global, is in talks for a settlement with Trump over allegations that “60 Minutes” attempted to mislead voters with excerpts from an interview with former U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris. This lawsuit is thought to be a tactic to postpone the merger of Paramount and Skydance Media, which holds significant implications for the future prosperity of Paramount, controlled by Shari Redstone.
It appears that other cable news networks are not planning extensive parade coverage. MSNBC has announced that anchor Ali Velshi will be present, and they plan to report on news as it unfolds. At this time, CNN, owned by Warner Bros. Discovery, has not provided details about their coverage plans for the event.
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2025-06-10 23:47