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Fact check: Was fortunate son played at trumps military parade

Checked on June 17, 2025

1. Summary of the results

Yes, "Fortunate Son" by Creedence Clearwater Revival was played at Trump's military parade. Multiple sources confirm this fact, with detailed reporting from entertainment and news outlets [1] [2] [3]. The song's inclusion at the event was widely documented and became a significant talking point due to its ironic nature.

The song was part of the parade's musical program, and its performance was captured and reported by various media outlets. Sources confirm that the event took place and that "Fortunate Son" was indeed part of the musical selections [1] [3].

2. Missing context/alternative viewpoints

The original question lacks crucial context about why this musical choice became controversial and newsworthy:

  • "Fortunate Son" is explicitly an anti-war protest song that criticizes wealthy individuals who used their privilege to avoid military service during the Vietnam War [1] [3]
  • John Fogerty, the song's author, has publicly opposed Trump's use of the song at his rallies, calling it "confounding" given the lyrics' meaning about wealthy draft dodgers [4]
  • The irony was not lost on observers, as Trump himself received multiple draft deferments during the Vietnam War, making him precisely the type of "fortunate son" the song criticizes [1] [3]
  • Some interpreted the song's inclusion as potential trolling or protest by military personnel or event organizers, though this remains speculative [1] [2]
  • Other unauthorized music was also played, including "Barracuda" by Heart, whose members also objected to the usage [5]

Who benefits from different narratives:

  • Trump and his supporters benefit from framing this as simply patriotic music at a military event
  • Critics and protest movements benefit from highlighting the ironic contradiction between the song's message and Trump's background
  • Media outlets benefit from the controversy and discussion it generates

3. Potential misinformation/bias in the original statement

The original question itself is factually neutral and contains no apparent misinformation. However, asking the question without context could be misleading because:

  • It treats the event as routine when the musical choice was actually highly controversial and widely discussed for its ironic implications [1] [3]
  • It omits the significant backstory that makes this fact newsworthy - namely the song's anti-establishment, anti-privilege message being played at an event honoring a president who exemplified the very privilege the song criticizes
  • The simple yes/no framing misses the broader cultural and political significance that made this moment notable enough to generate multiple news articles and analyses

The question appears genuine rather than deliberately misleading, but answering it without the full context would provide an incomplete picture of why this became a significant cultural moment during Trump's presidency.

Want to dive deeper?
What was the setlist for Trump's military parade?
Why was Fortunate Son chosen for Trump's military parade?
What is the history of Fortunate Son being played at military events?
How did John Fogerty react to Fortunate Son being played at Trump's parade?
What other songs were considered for Trump's military parade setlist?