Trump’s West Point Speech Blends Praise, Politics, and Grievances

President Donald Trump delivered his first commencement address of his second term on Saturday at a service academy, praising the achievements and career decisions of the graduating West Point cadets while also shifting into a campaign-style discussion of his political accomplishments and long-held grievances.

"In just a few moments, you will become graduates from the most prestigious and celebrated military academy in history," Trump stated during the ceremony at Michie Stadium. "You will also become officers in the most formidable and powerful army the world has ever seen. I can say this with confidence because I revitalized that army and strengthened the military. We accomplished that like no one else had during my first term."

Donning a red “Make America Great Again” hat, the Republican president addressed the 1,002 members of the class of 2025 at the U.S. Military Academy, declaring that the United States is the “most exciting country in the world” while emphasizing an “America First” philosophy for the military.

“We are eliminating distractions and concentrating our military on its primary mission: defeating America’s adversaries, eliminating America’s enemies, and defending our remarkable American flag more vigorously than ever,” Trump stated. He subsequently remarked that “the role of the U.S. armed forces is not to organize drag performances or alter foreign cultures,” referring to drag shows on military bases that were stopped by Democratic President Joe Biden’s administration following criticism from Republicans.

Trump stated that the cadets were graduating during a crucial time in Army history, criticizing previous political leaders for sending troops into “nation-building missions in countries that showed no interest in us.” He mentioned that he was removing concepts related to transgender identities, “critical race theory,” and forms of training he deemed divisive and political from the military.

He asserted that past administrations had subjected the military to various social initiatives and political agendas while neglecting to secure our borders and diminishing our capabilities to engage in wars fought by other nations.

At times, his statements resembled those typically found in a political address, ranging from his evaluation of the nation at the time he departed from office in January 2021 to his commentary on last November’s triumph over Democrat Kamala Harris, asserting that voters bestowed upon him a “great mandate” which “allows us to proceed as we wish.”

Often shifting the spotlight onto himself, he reiterated some of his rally catchphrases, including the assertion that he has undergone more investigations than mobster Al Capone.

At one moment, the crowd listened as Trump, famous for his tendency to stray off-topic, mentioned “trophy wives” and yachts while recounting a story about the late real estate mogul William Levitt, a billionaire friend whom Trump claimed lost his momentum.

However, the president also took moments to recognize the accomplishments of individual graduates.

He called Chris Verdugo up to the stage and highlighted that he completed an 18.5-mile march on a bitterly cold night in January in just two hours and 30 minutes. Trump had the nationally ranked men’s lacrosse team, which briefly held the No. 1 position during the 2024 season, stand to be acknowledged. Trump also invited the Army’s star quarterback, Bryson Daily, to the microphone, where he commended Daily’s “steel-like” shoulder. Trump later used Daily as an illustration to support his argument against transgender women competing in women’s sports.

In a tribute to presidential customs, Trump also granted pardons to around six cadets who had encountered disciplinary issues.

He expressed to the graduates that “you had the opportunity to pursue anything, you could have gone anywhere,” and that “perhaps landing top positions on Wall Street or in Silicon Valley wouldn’t be a bad choice. However, I believe what you are doing is superior.”

His counsel for them included pursuing their passions, thinking ambitiously, putting in effort, honoring their culture, maintaining faith in America, and embracing risks.

“This is a period of remarkable transformation, and we do not require a corps of officers who are career-focused and compliant,” Trump stated. “We need patriots with courage, vision, and determination.”

Just off campus, approximately thirty-six protesters assembled before the ceremony, waving small American flags. One person in the group displayed a sign reading “Support Our Veterans” and “Stop the Cuts,” while others held plastic buckets featuring the slogan: “Go Army Beat Fascism.”

On Friday, Vice President JD Vance addressed the graduating class at the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland. In his speech, Vance stated that Trump is focused on ensuring U.S. troops are sent into action with specific objectives, in contrast to the "undefined missions" and "open-ended conflicts" seen in the past.

Trump delivered the commencement speech at West Point in 2020, during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic, when the academy required cadets to spread out across the nation to travel, risking exposure on public transport, and ultimately arriving in New York, a hotspot for the virus.