Dumber To or Idiocracy? Films to Skip Trump’s Birthday

WASHINGTON, June 14, 2025

Is a military parade a fitting birthday festivity? Taxpayers are footing the bill for the lavish event in Washington D.C.on June 14th, which is expected to cost as much as $45 million.

From a big boy birthday party to a dystopian future, here’s a look at the weekend’s entertainment options.

• A military parade in Washington, D.C. is the centerpiece of the birthday celebrations for Donald John Trump, costing $45 million.
• ABC News will cover the parade starting at 6 p.m. on Saturday, while other networks have limited coverage.
• Alternatives to the parade include movies like “The Lives of Others,” “Dumb and Dumber To,” and “Idiocracy.”

The United States is set to celebrate the 79th birthday of Donald John Trump with a military parade in Washington, D.C. on Saturday, June 14, which has been widely dubbed a “big boy birthday party” for the president. The event, estimated to cost $45 million, marks the U.S. Army’s 250th anniversary. Networks like ABC News, CBS, and NBC will broadcast coverage, with some relegating it to streaming channels.

Beyond the Tanks and Soldiers

If the prospect of tanks and goose-stepping soldiers isn’t your cup of tea, there are alternatives. Here’s a curated list of films that offer a different perspective,a sort of homage to the man of the hour.

Ulrich Müehe. Photograph: AP

1. The Lives of Others (2006)

Ulrich Mühe’s Oscar-winning drama, set in 1980s East Berlin, tells the story of a Stasi officer who develops empathy for those he spies on. The film explores the choice between loyalty to an oppressive regime and doing what is right. The film had real-world consequences, inspiring some in the Israeli intelligence to refuse service in Palestinian territories due to the surveillance of innocent residents. According to the New York Times, one of the Israeli captains had a moral awakening after watching The Lives of Others. “I felt a lot of sympathy for the victims in the film of the intelligence,” the captain said. “But I did feel a weird, confusing sense of similarity, I identified myself with the intelligence workers. That we were similar to the kind of oppressive intelligence in oppressive regimes really was a deep realization that makes us all feel that we have to take obligation.”

Did you know?-“The Lives of Others” won the academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film in 2007. The film is notable for its accurate depiction of stasi surveillance techniques and its exploration of moral dilemmas within an oppressive system.

Jim Carrey and Jeff Daniels. Photograph: New line Cinema/Allstar

2. Dumb and Dumber To (2014)

This jim Carrey sequel, like some political endeavors, proved to be a misstep. Beyond the slapstick, the film’s funding drew controversy. Millions were funneled from a Malaysian government fund to make “Dumb and Dumber To,” among other films. With the return of “daddy” trump to the White House,there are concerns that money laundering coudl rise again. Project 2025, a blueprint for Trump’s second term, aims to repeal the Corporate Clarity Act, potentially making it easier to conceal the owners of limited liability companies.

Reader question:-Do you think that the use of entertainment to launder money is a serious problem that needs more attention from lawmakers and the public?

A still from 2073. Photograph: BFA/Alamy

3. 2073 (2024)

Asif Kapadia’s drama-doc “2073” is set in 2073, focusing on a world shaped by an unspecified disaster. It features Ivanka Trump ruling over a dystopian police state. Kapadia noted that the film explores the potential for the two-term presidency to fade. The movie suggests that while big military parades may endure, the future could involve living in ruins and dodging drones.

4. The Orange Man (2015)

This film follows a group of friends on a camping trip who are murdered by a disillusioned door-to-door orange salesman. the weapon of choice is his prosthetic hook and a bag of oranges.

Clive Owen in Children of men. Photograph: AJ Pics/Alamy

5. Children of Men (2006)

This dystopian thriller depicts a 2027 world facing collapse due to pollution-induced infertility. The film explores the psychological impact of societal collapse. A review in The Guardian highlights the film’s bleak portrayal of a world facing the end. A possible remake, “Children of Musk,” might save humanity through Elon Musk’s sperm donation, with his children going to Mars.

6. The Front Line (1983)

This documentary explores El Salvador’s civil war and is available on a variety of platforms.

dr strangelove. Photograph: Screen Archives/Getty Images

7.Dr.Strangelove or: How I Learned To Stop Worrying And Love The Bomb (1964)

Stanley Kubrick’s satire features a rogue American general who initiates a nuclear attack.The film reflects the Trump governance’s obsession with fluoride, with the general believing it to be part of a communist plot. An ineffectual president tries to stop the resulting doomsday scenario. This film reminds us to stop worrying and love Trump’s bombs.

Luke Wilson in Idiocracy. Photograph: Collection Christophel/Alamy

8. Idiocracy (2006)

In Mike Judge’s satire, the less smart inherit the earth. Joe, an average man, wakes up in 2505, where intelligence is not valued. Terry Crews, who played President Camacho in the film, called it prophetic. Elon Musk has shared the opening scene. Comparisons have been made between Musk and President Camacho’s showmanship. As the rule of law fades, dumbocracy takes hold.

Pro tip:-Consider watching “Idiocracy” with friends and family to spark a discussion about the film’s themes and their relevance to contemporary society. It can be a fun and thought-provoking way to spend an evening.

So, while the parade is happening, there are many alternative ways to spend your saturday.

That needs more attention from lawmakers and the public?