President Donald Trump, wearing his signature “Make America Great Again” hat, delivered a fiery speech at the first military commencement address of his second term on Saturday. Addressing the West Point cadets, he praised their academic and physical achievements while diving headfirst into politics. Trump took credit for America’s military strength, boasting about the “mandate” he believes he earned in the 2024 presidential election.
At Michie Stadium, Trump declared the cadets as the graduates of the most elite military academy in human history, emphasizing their role as officers in the world’s most powerful army. He claimed to have rebuilt the military like never before in his first term, highlighting his administration’s achievements and pushing an America First agenda for the U.S. military. The president emphasized the military’s core mission of defeating America’s adversaries, protecting the flag, and eschewing distractions like drag shows and foreign cultural transformations.
Trump criticized past political leaders for embarking on nation-building campaigns that he deemed unnecessary, vowing to clear the military of ideas he deemed divisive and political. He highlighted his efforts to remove transgender concepts and critical race theory from military training, focusing on bolstering the armed forces against external threats. The president’s address, while acknowledging individual cadet accomplishments, also delved into political territory, with Trump touting his electoral victories and asserting his right to pursue his agenda. He concluded by urging the graduating cadets to embrace change, take risks, and never give up, promising continued success for the country with their leadership.
