Whoopi Goldberg Blasts Donald Trump for Birthday Bragging Amid ongoing ‘No Kings’ Protests

Whoopi Goldberg Slams Trump for Celebrating Birthday Amid ‘No Kings’ Protests

On the June 13, 2025, episode of ABC’s The View, co-host Whoopi Goldberg sharply criticized President Donald Trump for his planned birthday celebration, which coincides with a controversial military parade in Washington, D.C., on June 14. The parade, marking the U.S. Army’s 250th anniversary and Flag Day, has drawn widespread backlash from activists organizing nationwide “No Kings” protests, who view it as a self-aggrandizing display of power. Goldberg’s remarks, delivered with her signature candor, underscored the growing tension between Trump’s administration and its critics.

The military parade, estimated to cost between $25 million and $45 million, will feature over 7,000 soldiers, 150 military vehicles, 50 helicopters, and a fireworks display, according to the Associated Press. Critics, including the “No Kings” movement, argue that the event is less about honoring the military and more about Trump celebrating his 79th birthday with a “made-for-TV display of dominance.” The parade’s timing has fueled accusations of authoritarianism, with organizers like the 50501 Movement and Indivisible calling for a “nationwide day of defiance” to counter what they describe as Trump’s ego-driven spectacle.

Goldberg, who has consistently refused to say Trump’s name on air since his first term in 2016, didn’t hold back during the discussion. Addressing the parade, she lambasted its lavishness, especially in light of recent budget cuts affecting veterans’ services. “This is a man who’s throwing a multi-million-dollar party for himself while veterans are losing support,” she said, echoing co-host Sunny Hostin’s point that the parade’s cost is “distasteful” given the reported layoffs of 6,000 veterans’ affairs employees. Goldberg’s frustration was palpable as she called the event “a slap in the face to Americans who are struggling.”

The “No Kings” protests, planned in nearly 2,000 cities and towns across the U.S., aim to reclaim the narrative on June 14. Organizers, including groups like MoveOn and Black Voters Matter, are avoiding Washington, D.C., to focus on a flagship rally in Philadelphia, emphasizing a “people-powered movement” over Trump’s militaristic display. “The flag doesn’t belong to Trump. It belongs to us,” the movement’s website declares, urging protesters to wave American flags and reject “thrones, crowns, and kings.”

Goldberg’s co-host Ana Navarro also announced her intention to join the “No Kings” protests, calling the parade an act of “hypocrisy” that aligns more with authoritarian regimes like North Korea than American tradition. “When you’re the biggest military force, you don’t need to show off,” Navarro said, referencing the parade’s estimated $45 million cost and additional expenses for deploying National Guard troops to counter protests. Co-host Joy Behar added a jab at Trump’s past, noting his avoidance of military service due to “bone spurs” and questioning the parade’s necessity.

Trump has defended the parade, insisting it’s a celebration of Flag Day and the Army, not his birthday. “I view it for Flag Day, not necessarily my birthday,” he told NBC’s Meet the Press. However, critics, including Goldberg, aren’t buying it. “If this isn’t about his ego, why does it have to be on his birthday?” she questioned on The View, prompting cheers from the studio audience. Her remarks align with her history of vocal opposition to Trump, including a viral 2024 warning that he aims to be a “dictator for life.”

The “No Kings” protests are expected to draw thousands, with significant gatherings planned in cities like San Francisco and Oakland, where over 4,000 people have RSVP’d. Organizers emphasize nonviolent action, encouraging speeches, marches, and flag-waving to contrast with the D.C. parade’s militaristic tone. The movement’s leaders, such as Indivisible’s Ezra Levin, have criticized the parade’s cost amid cuts to programs like Medicaid, calling it a symbol of Trump’s “heinous” agenda.

Goldberg’s outspoken critique adds to her ongoing feud with Trump, who has previously called her “filthy dirty” and “disgusting” at campaign rallies. In response, she’s leaned into her defiance, once quipping, “You hired me four times—how dumb are you?” Her latest comments reflect a broader sentiment among Trump’s opponents, who see the parade as a flashpoint in a larger fight against perceived authoritarianism.

As the nation braces for June 14, the contrast between Trump’s parade and the “No Kings” protests will likely dominate headlines. For Goldberg and her View co-hosts, the message is clear: the fight for America’s values extends beyond the airwaves, into the streets, where thousands will rally to say, “No kings.”