Donald Trump delivered a strikingly unconventional commencement address today to the graduating class of the United States Military Academy at West Point, blending political rhetoric, off-the-cuff remarks, and personal anecdotes into a speech that deviated sharply from the traditional tone of such events.
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Wearing a red "Make America Great Again" hat as he approached the podium—a striking departure from typical presidential decorum—Trump opened his remarks with a story about a personal acquaintance and his so-called "trophy wife."
“He ended up getting a divorce. Found a new wife. Can you say a trophy wife? It didn’t work out too well,” the President told the assembled cadets. “A lot of trophy wives. It doesn’t work out. It made him happy for a little while at least. He found a new wife. He got a big yacht.”
The anecdote set the tone for a speech that oscillated between political commentary and meandering reflections.
Turning to military policy, Trump touted what he called the “liberation” of the armed forces from what he described as divisive ideologies.
“We’ve liberated our troops from divisive and demeaning political trainings,” he said. “There will be no more ‘critical race theory’ or ‘transgender for everybody’ forced onto our brave men and women in uniform or anybody else, for that matter, in our country.”
The President emphasized that military promotions and appointments under his administration would be based on merit rather than identity politics.
“We’re a merit-based country again,” Trump declared, drawing applause from segments of the audience.
In a moment that drew raised eyebrows among observers, Trump shifted to question the logic of stealth aircraft technology, musing aloud:
“The whole stealth thing—I’m sort of wondering. We shape a wing this way, they don’t see it, but the other way they see it? I’m not so sure.”
He also revisited a familiar theme of personal grievance, comparing his legal scrutiny to that of one of America’s most infamous criminals:
“I was investigated more than the great, late Alphonse Capone. Alphonse Capone was a monster. He was a very hardened criminal. I went through more investigations than Alphonse Capone. Now I am talking to you as President. Can you believe this?”
Trump concluded the address by briefly pivoting to international trade, telling the cadets:
“You have to watch what we’re doing on trade. I know it’s not your primary thing. We are making deals with other nations that nobody thought would be possible. The reason is very simple. They respect us again.”
The address, while cheered by many of his supporters, drew criticism from some observers who viewed it as overly political for a military graduation. Others praised the President’s off-script style and emphasis on military pride and national strength.
The speech will undoubtedly fuel further debate over the blending of politics and military traditions—a topic that may shape headlines well beyond West Point’s parade grounds.
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