President Donald Trump delivered a politically charged address at the United States Military Academy in West Point, New York, on May 24, 2025, diverging from traditional graduation speeches with remarks extending over an hour.
Donning his red “Make America Great Again” hat, Trump addressed 1,002 graduates, blending congratulations with political grievances and stories about golfers, real estate, and organized crime figures.
This event marked Trump’s second appearance at West Point, following his 2020 address that drew scrutiny. This time, he departed via a side staircase, heading to his Trump National Golf Club in Bedminster, New Jersey, before noon.
Trump emphasized his administration’s efforts against diversity, equity, and inclusion in the military. He claimed to have liberated troops from what he called divisive trainings, stating there would be no more critical race theory or transgender policies, following his January executive order denying the existence of transgender, intersex, and nonbinary individuals in government operations. Read more here.
Policy changes have been implemented at West Point and other academies, leading to the disbandment of student organizations like the Asian-Pacific Forum Club and the Society of Women Engineers Club. Faculty were instructed to remove terms such as “feminist” from syllabi.
Trump’s speech included discussions unrelated to military matters, highlighting stories about golfer Gary Player and real estate developer William Levitt as examples of hard work and life’s cautionary tales.
Trump compared his legal challenges to those of Al Capone, stating, “I was investigated more than the great late Alphonse Capone,” emphasizing his investigations exceeded those of the notorious gangster before his presidency.
The president promoted his immigration policies, claiming the country faced an invasion over the past four years. His comments followed a federal judge’s order to return a wrongfully deported Guatemalan man. Trump expressed hope for continued deportation efforts.
Trump highlighted his November 2024 election victory, stating it gave his administration a mandate to implement their agenda. He praised military spending and a trillion-dollar budget that he refused to cut.
The Class of 2025 included 252 women, with Joanna K. Halfhill as valedictorian. The event marked the 45th anniversary of the first female graduates. Trump invited graduates on stage, recognizing achievements such as Cadet Chris Verdugo’s record-breaking march and quarterback Bryson Daily, whom he dubbed “Captain America.”
Trump reiterated his administration’s immigration stance, crediting himself for record peacetime recruitment levels, although numbers had been improving before his return to office.
Some military observers expressed concern over the partisan nature of Trump’s speech. Graham Parsons, a former professor at West Point, described the situation as creating “real whiplash” for the academy community.
Trump’s address occurred amid an examination of military academies for content deemed inappropriate under anti-DEI directives, with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth overseeing the removal of incompatible materials.
Trump concluded by urging graduates to think big and work hard, highlighting their role in the world’s greatest army. He then left to address matters involving Russia and China, promising continued American victories.
The ceremony featured traditional elements like the hat toss and recognition of outstanding cadets, including the Army lacrosse team’s top national ranking and the football team’s victories over Navy and Air Force.
