Latest news with #LeeGreenwood
Axios
3 days ago
- Politics
- Axios
Trump gets his D.C. military parade, but "No Kings" protests cast shadow
The National Mall transformed into a MAGA-ified carnival for the Army's 250th birthday parade on Saturday, but the show of military might drew a smaller crowd than anticipated. The big picture: 7,000 soldiers, 100+ tanks, cheering tourists and heavy-duty security took over downtown — against the backdrop of anti-President Trump protests nationwide and political violence in Minnesota. Trump sat on a stage of VIPs and watched the multimillion-dollar procession of troops and tanks down Constitution Avenue, followed by a concert and fireworks. "Happy birthday," country singer Lee Greenwood told Trump, who turned 79. The Army Golden Knights parachuted in — one flying a D.C. flag. By the numbers: Attendance for the country's largest military parade in decades didn't appear near the expected 200,000, AP reports. Meanwhile, millions of people joined "No Kings" rallies across America, including across the DMV. Near the White House, several hundred people joined a "Refuse Fascism" rally. "No Kings" organizers told Axios they intentionally avoided rallying in downtown D.C. to "create contrast, not conflict." In Culpeper, Virginia, police say a man intentionally drove into a crowd of protestors. The scene: It didn't rain much on Trump's parade, but the spectacle proved better TV than in-person viewing. It was painfully muggy, with poor sight lines and plenty of waiting around between columns of marching soldiers and tanks. Wearing replica period outfits, Army soldiers commemorated the Revolutionary War and Civil War, before moving into the 20th century. Flyovers included Vietnam-era helicopters. Modern tanks rolled past loudspeakers playing the melody of Van Halen's "Jump." The Washington Monument grounds had a picnic vibe with some families sitting on the grass. Thousands left early to dodge the threat of showers, but early sprinkles and hazy skies eventually became clearer and allowed for a fireworks display. Zoom in: D.C. trash crews moved in shortly after crowds were let out to begin cleaning up. Mayor Muriel Bowser declined to attend, NBC4 reported, instead sending her senior adviser. The latest: Road closures lifted at 6am Monday morning for Independence Avenue and major thoroughfares.
Sydney Morning Herald
4 days ago
- Business
- Sydney Morning Herald
Bibles, golf courses and crypto: How Donald Trump made his money in 2024
A meme coin released this year by the president – $USTRUMP – alone has earned an estimated $US320 million in fees, although it is not publicly known how that amount has been divided between a Trump-controlled entity and its partners. In addition to the meme coin fees, the Trump family has raked in more than $US400 million from World Liberty Financial, a decentralised finance company. The Trump family is involved, also, with a bitcoin mining operation and digital asset exchange-traded funds. In the disclosures, Trump reported $US57.35 million from token sales at World Liberty. He also reported holding 15.75 billion governance tokens in the venture. The wealth of the Republican businessman-turned-politician ranges from crypto to real estate, and a large part on paper is tied up in his stake in Trump Media & Technology Group, owner of social media platform Truth Social. Besides assets and revenues from his business ventures, Trump reported at least $US12 million in income, including through interest and dividends, from passive investments totaling at least $US211 million, a Reuters calculation shows. His biggest investments were in alternative fund manager Blue Owl Capital Corp and in government bond funds managed by Charles Schwab and Invesco. The disclosure often only gave ranges for the value of his assets and income; Reuters used the lower amount listed, meaning the total value of his assets and income was almost certainly higher. The disclosure showed income from various assets including Trump's properties in Florida. Trump's three golf-focused resorts in the state – Jupiter, Doral and West Palm Beach – plus his nearby private members' club at Mar-a-Lago generated at least $US217.7 million in income, according to the filing. Trump National Doral, the expansive Miami-area golf hub known for its Blue Monster course, was the family's single largest income source at $US110.4 million. The income figures provided are essentially revenue, not net profits after subtracting costs. Loading The disclosure underlined the global nature of the Trump family business, listing income of $US5 million in licence fees from a development in Vietnam, $US10 million in development fees from a project in India and almost $US16 million in licensing fees for a Dubai project. Trump collected royalty money, also, from a variety of deals – $US1.3 million from the Greenwood Bible (its website describes it as 'the only Bible officially endorsed by [country singer] Lee Greenwood and President Trump'); $US2.8 million from Trump Watches, and $US2.5 million from Trump Sneakers and Fragrances. Trump listed $US1.16 million in income from his NFTs – digital trading cards in his likeness – while first lady Melania Trump earned about $US216,700 from licence fees on her own NFT collection.
The Age
4 days ago
- Business
- The Age
Bibles, golf courses and crypto: How Donald Trump made his money in 2024
A meme coin released this year by the president – $USTRUMP – alone has earned an estimated $US320 million in fees, although it is not publicly known how that amount has been divided between a Trump-controlled entity and its partners. In addition to the meme coin fees, the Trump family has raked in more than $US400 million from World Liberty Financial, a decentralised finance company. The Trump family is involved, also, with a bitcoin mining operation and digital asset exchange-traded funds. In the disclosures, Trump reported $US57.35 million from token sales at World Liberty. He also reported holding 15.75 billion governance tokens in the venture. The wealth of the Republican businessman-turned-politician ranges from crypto to real estate, and a large part on paper is tied up in his stake in Trump Media & Technology Group, owner of social media platform Truth Social. Besides assets and revenues from his business ventures, Trump reported at least $US12 million in income, including through interest and dividends, from passive investments totaling at least $US211 million, a Reuters calculation shows. His biggest investments were in alternative fund manager Blue Owl Capital Corp and in government bond funds managed by Charles Schwab and Invesco. The disclosure often only gave ranges for the value of his assets and income; Reuters used the lower amount listed, meaning the total value of his assets and income was almost certainly higher. The disclosure showed income from various assets including Trump's properties in Florida. Trump's three golf-focused resorts in the state – Jupiter, Doral and West Palm Beach – plus his nearby private members' club at Mar-a-Lago generated at least $US217.7 million in income, according to the filing. Trump National Doral, the expansive Miami-area golf hub known for its Blue Monster course, was the family's single largest income source at $US110.4 million. The income figures provided are essentially revenue, not net profits after subtracting costs. Loading The disclosure underlined the global nature of the Trump family business, listing income of $US5 million in licence fees from a development in Vietnam, $US10 million in development fees from a project in India and almost $US16 million in licensing fees for a Dubai project. Trump collected royalty money, also, from a variety of deals – $US1.3 million from the Greenwood Bible (its website describes it as 'the only Bible officially endorsed by [country singer] Lee Greenwood and President Trump'); $US2.8 million from Trump Watches, and $US2.5 million from Trump Sneakers and Fragrances. Trump listed $US1.16 million in income from his NFTs – digital trading cards in his likeness – while first lady Melania Trump earned about $US216,700 from licence fees on her own NFT collection.
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Crowd Sings Along to Lee Greenwood's ‘God Bless the U.S.A'
The parade crowd sang along and swayed to country singer Lee Greenwood's closing performance of 'God Bless the U.S.A.' Greenwood and his song have been a feature at Trump campaign rallies over the years.
CBC
7 days ago
- Politics
- CBC
Trump's military parade is costing millions and, potentially, something more valuable, critics say
Social Sharing Donald Trump's long-desired military parade was only confirmed six weeks ago, but it now arrives in a week that has raised alarm among military experts and Democrats over the politicization of American troops. According to The Associated Press, Saturday's parade in Washington will feature synchronized flyovers of military aircraft, along with the processions of tanks, historical re-enactments and marching soldiers Singer Lee Greenwood, famed for God Bless the U.S.A., is on tap to perform during the nationally televised ceremony, and Trump will address the crowd from a custom viewing stand. At one point, it is expected he will be handed an American flag by a parachutist. The event is expected to conclude with fireworks, weather permitting. The display comes just days after Trump deployed 700 marines and 4,000 of California's National Guard troops to respond to protests in Los Angeles that emerged over his administration's raids targeting unauthorized residents. Gary Barthel, a former U.S. Marine Corps officer and managing partner of the Military Law Center in California, called the response to the L.A. protests a "gross overstep" that threatens the constitutional right of assembly, speaking with CBC News this week. Barthel said that the protests "do not fit the legal description of an insurrection that would require the military to be activated to support local law enforcement." While Trump might ultimately prevail in what the Pentagon envisions as a 60-day deployment in L.A. — a legal battle is currently playing out — it is the first time a U.S. president has called in the National Guard to a state without the permission of its governor in 60 years. WATCH l Administration hasn't justified military response for L.A., analyst says: Sending military to L.A. a 'gross overstep' by Trump administration: Ex-marine | Hanomansing Tonight 3 days ago Duration 6:45 Gary Barthel, a former U.S. Marine Corps officer calls the Trump administration's move to mobilize the National Guard and the marines to Los Angeles in response to anti-ICE protests 'illegal' and a 'gross overstep.' Democrats insulted at Fort Bragg More seriously, to some, was a Trump speech given earlier this week at the U.S. army military installation at Fort Bragg, N.C. Reports emerged that boos were heard among the troops after Trump made references to the media, as well as Democratic politicians such as former president Joe Biden, California Gov. Gavin Newsom and L.A. Mayor Karen Bass. Tom Nichols, retired professor at the U.S. Naval War College, expressed dismay in Atlantic magazine, where he is a columnist, and on MSNBC, that senior military officials haven't spoken out about the politicized display. "We pride ourselves on an apolitical, non-partisan military that serves the constitution ... we don't have a military that is out there hooting and nodding and laughing and ridiculing a former commander-in-chief, a sitting governor, a mayor of a major city. That's playing with political fire," Nichols told MSNBC's Morning Joe program. Trump at one point asked the assembled, "Do you think this crowd would have showed up for Biden? I don't think so." But according to which obtained internal 82nd Airborne Division communications, the event was highly choreographed — with more than a wink to political preferences. "If soldiers have political views that are in opposition to the current administration and they don't want to be in the audience then they need to speak with their leadership and get swapped out," one note to troops read, according to the website founded in 1999 to deliver news for the U.S. service member and veteran community. Parade to cost government at least $25M In addition, the site reported, a pop-up shop selling Trump merchandise was on site. The parade was initially conceived as a July 4 event, but Trump found occasion this year to add it onto a long-planned celebration of the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Army that coincides with Flag Day and his own 79th birthday. "No event can fully capture our gratitude for those who have worn the uniform, but this grand parade will ensure our veterans and active-duty service members are recognized with the respect and magnificence they deserve," White House spokesperson Anna Kelly said in a statement. Private donations from companies like Lockheed Martin, Amazon and UFC are helping defray some of the costs, but the government is expected to spend $25 million to $45 million US, according to AP. "If it was really about celebrating military families, we could put $30 million toward helping them offset the cost of their child care, food assistance and tuition," said Illinois Sen. Tammy Duckworth, who lost both legs in combat in 2004. Several Democrats have pointed out what they say is hypocrisy coming from Trump and Republicans, who have supported widespread cuts across several federal agencies including the Pentagon and Veterans Affairs. "In a moment of crisis for all of our veterans, the VA's system of health care and benefits has been disastrously and disgracefully put on the chopping block by the Trump administration," Democratic Sen. Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut said at a news conference in March. In addition, the deployment of troops in Los Angeles could cost $134 million, a Pentagon official told lawmakers on Capitol Hill this week. When Trump activated the National Guard just hours after protests began, it was the first time it was activated without a governor's permission since 1965, when President Lyndon B. Johnson sent troops into Alabama, according to the Brennan Center for Justice. Democrats have pointed out the irony between the two examples — Johnson was, in effect, protecting the right of assembly for civil rights protesters, while Trump's move was intended to stamp out protests. The White House justified the response as necessary because of the threat of widespread violence. While there has been sporadic looting and destruction of property and several vehicles, L.A. has seen much more dangerous, deadly demonstrations. At this point, the only known lengthy hospitalization was suffered by a journalist shot by a rubber bullet, which often have metal in their core, and likely came from law enforcement. Will peaceful protesters be met with 'big force'? Trump also delivered a stark warning for the Washington parade. "We're going to celebrate big on Saturday," he said this week. "If any protesters want to come out, they will be met with very big force." WATCH l Trump's weekend warning: Trump says protestors disrupting Flag Day to be met with 'very heavy force' 21 hours ago Duration 1:17 Trump did not distinguish between peaceful protesters and troublemakers committing violence, though the White House press secretary later took umbrage at the suggestion the president doesn't support the First Amendment, which spells out the right to peaceful assembly. Trump first made noises about a military parade in his first term, having been wowed by a 2017 Bastille Day celebration while in France. Parades in the U.S. outside of wartime are unusual. Washington hosted a victory parade in 1991 after the first Persian Gulf War. It included 8,000 troops, tanks, Patriot missiles but also representatives of the international coalition that had been led by the U.S. in that battle. According to the weather forecast, it may literally rain on Trump's parade. The White House has said it will go on rain or shine, but an army official said this week that if lightning occurs, it would have to be at least delayed for the safety of the tens of thousands expected to attend.
