On May 3, 2026, NBC Sports reported an astonishing 19.6 million viewers tuned in for the Kentucky Derby, marking it as the most-watched Derby on record.
Viewership peaked at 24.4 million during the broadcast, a significant increase of 11% from last year. The Kentucky Oaks also saw a historic average of 2.4 million viewers, quadrupling its previous record.
This year’s event continues NBC’s trend of strong ratings, with over 15 million viewers across platforms for 11 of the last 13 Derbies held in May.
Meanwhile, the U.S. military is experiencing notable changes. Currently, there are approximately 80,000 to 100,000 troops stationed in Europe, including more than 36,000 in Germany.
The Pentagon announced plans to withdraw 5,000 troops from Germany. This decision aligns with Donald Trump’s previous statements about reducing military presence abroad.
The implications of these troop reductions raise concerns about NATO security and European defense spending. Kaja Kallas remarked, “I think it shows that we have to really strengthen the European pillar in NATO.” This reflects ongoing debates regarding military commitments in Europe.
The U.S. maintains around 100 nuclear bombs across various bases in Europe, a legacy of Cold War tensions that still shapes current defense strategies.
The full impact of these troop withdrawals on NATO’s collective security and European defense readiness remains uncertain.
