Salute to America celebration at National Mall, July 4, 2019. Getty // Patrick Semansky
Q1. President Trump proposed a military parade in Washington DC for June 14, the day of the US Army's 250th birthday and Trump's 79th.
Plans call for 6,600 soldiers, 150 military vehicles, 50 helicopters, Army Golden Knights parachuting to the Ellipse, and a fighter jet flyover.
The estimated cost is $10m - $40m. The last time troops paraded in DC was 1991, when George HW Bush honored Gulf War servicemembers, which itself was the largest US military procession since WW II.
Would you like this parade to happen and do you think it will?
Plans call for 6,600 soldiers, 150 military vehicles, 50 helicopters, Army Golden Knights parachuting to the Ellipse, and a fighter jet flyover.
The estimated cost is $10m - $40m. The last time troops paraded in DC was 1991, when George HW Bush honored Gulf War servicemembers, which itself was the largest US military procession since WW II.
Would you like this parade to happen and do you think it will?
male
female
rep
ind
dem
18-29
30-44
45-64
65+
Would like, and it will
33%
42%
26%
72%
17%
0%
21%
21%
45%
35%
Would like, but it won't
6%
8%
4%
8%
4%
5%
17%
1%
6%
5%
Wouldn't like, but it will
47%
37%
55%
9%
63%
78%
49%
65%
34%
44%
Wouldn't like, and it won't
10%
9%
10%
5%
11%
14%
11%
9%
9%
11%
Don't know
1%
1%
2%
1%
2%
1%
2%
2%
2%
1%
Don't care
3%
3%
2%
5%
3%
1%
0%
3%
4%
3%
Q2. Earlier this month, President Trump posted on social media "Many of our allies are celebrating May 8th as Victory Day, but we did more than any other country, by far, in producing a victorious result on World War II. I am hereby renaming May 8th as Victory Day for World War II and November 11th as Victory Day for World War I."
May 8 is currently not observed in the US, but is celebrated across Europe as V-E (Victory in Europe) Day, commemorating Germany's formal surrender in WW II. Japan did not surrender until September 2nd.
November 11th is observed in the US as Veterans Day, and in Europe as a day of remembrance for those who died in war, particularly WW I, as it marks the day of that conflict's armistice.
Last week White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt said "We are not renaming Veterans Day, it will just be an additional proclamation that goes out that day" hailing American victory in WW I.
What would you prefer?
May 8 is currently not observed in the US, but is celebrated across Europe as V-E (Victory in Europe) Day, commemorating Germany's formal surrender in WW II. Japan did not surrender until September 2nd.
November 11th is observed in the US as Veterans Day, and in Europe as a day of remembrance for those who died in war, particularly WW I, as it marks the day of that conflict's armistice.
Last week White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt said "We are not renaming Veterans Day, it will just be an additional proclamation that goes out that day" hailing American victory in WW I.
What would you prefer?
male
female
rep
ind
dem
18-29
30-44
45-64
65+
Don't care
4%
2%
4%
1%
2%
6%
9%
5%
2%
1%
Q3. The Trump administration is in talks with Qatar about accepting a Boeing 747 from that country as a gift for Trump to use as Air Force One while president, and after his presidency perhaps as an attraction in his presidential library.
Critics say such a $400 million gift from a foreign government raises ethical concerns, and that Qatar will surely expect something in return for their $400m. Trump counters, saying only a fool would turn down such a gift, and that the gift is to the Dept of Defense, not himself, since the DOD operates Air Force One.
Analysts say the plane would have to be "torn down to the studs" and rebuilt to adhere to the safety and privacy requirements of Air Force One, at a cost of tens if not hundreds of millions of dollars.
The two 747s currently serving as Air Force One are each about 35 years old. Boeing was contracted to deliver a new Air Force One last year, but production problems have pushed the delivery to 2027.
Should the Trump administration accept this gift from Qatar?
Critics say such a $400 million gift from a foreign government raises ethical concerns, and that Qatar will surely expect something in return for their $400m. Trump counters, saying only a fool would turn down such a gift, and that the gift is to the Dept of Defense, not himself, since the DOD operates Air Force One.
Analysts say the plane would have to be "torn down to the studs" and rebuilt to adhere to the safety and privacy requirements of Air Force One, at a cost of tens if not hundreds of millions of dollars.
The two 747s currently serving as Air Force One are each about 35 years old. Boeing was contracted to deliver a new Air Force One last year, but production problems have pushed the delivery to 2027.
Should the Trump administration accept this gift from Qatar?
male
female
rep
ind
dem
18-29
30-44
45-64
65+
Yes, and they will
28%
39%
21%
62%
16%
3%
19%
11%
42%
36%
Yes, but they won't
3%
3%
4%
5%
1%
3%
9%
0%
4%
3%
No, but they will
53%
44%
60%
20%
62%
81%
56%
73%
43%
43%
No, and they won't
9%
10%
8%
6%
17%
11%
14%
6%
6%
16%
Don't know
4%
3%
4%
6%
1%
2%
0%
9%
3%
1%
Don't care
1%
2%
1%
2%
3%
0%
2%
0%
2%
1%
How often would you like to see the US hold military parades, with military equipment and soldiers like those held in Russia, North Korea, and France?
12% Once a year or more
15% Every few years
13% Only after major events like military victories
46% Never
Reponse to Trump's "Salute to America" event held in DC on July 4, 2019 at the National Mall, and included presentations of military vehicles and flyovers by military aircraft. Estimated cost was $5.4m (could choose up to two)
34% Approved
34% Disapproved due to cost
31% Disapproved due to military aspect
46% Disapproved due to political aspect
Poll Comments (62)
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