President Donald Trump delivered a politically charged commencement address at the United States Military Academy at West Point, New York, on May 24, 2025, that stretched over an hour and veered far from traditional graduation remarks. Speaking to 1,002 graduates while wearing his signature red “Make America Great Again” hat, Trump mixed congratulations with political grievances and rambling anecdotes about professional golfers, real estate developers, and organized crime figures.
The ceremony marked Trump’s second appearance at West Point, following his controversial 2020 address that drew scrutiny after he struggled to walk down a ramp from the stage. This time, the president exited via a side staircase rather than the front ramp, departing before noon to head to his Trump National Golf Club in Bedminster, New Jersey.
Trump used the platform to highlight his administration’s efforts to eliminate diversity, equity and inclusion programs across the military. He told the assembled cadets that he had liberated troops from what he termed divisive political trainings. The president declared there would be no more critical race theory or transgender policies in the military, building on his January executive order that sought to deny the existence of transgender, intersex and nonbinary individuals throughout government operations.
The policy changes have already taken effect at West Point and other military academies. The institution disbanded several student organizations, including the Asian-Pacific Forum Club, the National Society of Black Engineers, the Native American Heritage Forum, the Society for Hispanic Professional Engineers, and the Society of Women Engineers Club. Faculty members received instructions to remove terms such as “feminist” and “systemic racism” from their course syllabi.
Trump’s speech took numerous detours from military matters. He spent considerable time discussing retired professional golfer Gary Player, whom he described as an example of hard work overcoming physical limitations. The president recounted how Player, despite being smaller than his competitors, achieved success through relentless effort and exercise routines that were ahead of their time.
In perhaps the most eyebrow-raising portion of his remarks, Trump launched into a lengthy discussion about real estate developer William Levitt, widely considered the inventor of modern American suburbs. Levitt, who died in 1994, became the subject of what Trump positioned as a cautionary tale about losing momentum in life. The president described how Levitt sold his successful company, divorced his wife, and remarried what Trump called a “trophy wife,” noting that such arrangements typically don’t work out well.
Trump also referenced his legal troubles, comparing himself to notorious mob boss Al Capone. “I was investigated more than the great late Alphonse Capone,” Trump told the graduates, adding that Capone was a monster and hardened criminal, yet he had endured more investigations than the infamous gangster before becoming president.
The president used the occasion to promote his immigration policies, claiming the country had been invaded over the previous four years by people who shouldn’t be present. His remarks came hours after a federal judge ordered his administration to return a Guatemalan man who had been wrongfully deported to Mexico. Trump expressed hope that courts would allow his deportation efforts to continue.
Throughout the address, Trump repeatedly emphasized his November 2024 election victory, claiming it provided his administration with a mandate to implement their agenda. He told the cadets they were the first West Point graduates of America’s “golden age” and praised his administration’s military spending, mentioning a trillion-dollar military budget that he refused to cut.
The Class of 2025 includes 252 women, with the valedictorian being Joanna K. Halfhill. The graduation occurred on the 45th anniversary of the first class to include female graduates. Trump brought several graduates on stage during his remarks, including Cadet Chris Verdugo, who set a record by completing an 18.5-mile march in 2 hours and 30 minutes, and quarterback Bryson Daily, whom Trump referred to as “Captain America.”
Trump’s immigration comments reflected his administration’s broader border policies. He praised the crackdown on immigration and promised to continue removing individuals he deemed undesirable from the country. The president also took credit for what he described as record peacetime military recruitment levels, though recruitment numbers had been improving before his return to office.
Military observers and former faculty members expressed concern about the partisan nature of Trump’s remarks at the historically nonpartisan institution. Graham Parsons, a former West Point professor who resigned after criticizing the impact of Trump’s policies, described the situation as creating “real whiplash” for the academy community.
The president’s speech occurred amid his administration’s broader examination of military academies for content deemed inappropriate under anti-DEI directives. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has overseen efforts to remove books, courses, and programs considered incompatible with the administration’s vision for military education.
Trump concluded his remarks by advising the graduates to think big, work hard, and never give up. He told them they were becoming officers in what he called the greatest and most powerful army the world has ever known. The president then announced he was leaving to deal with matters involving Russia and China, promising continued American victories.
The ceremony featured the traditional hat toss by graduates and recognition of outstanding cadets, including acknowledgment of the Army lacrosse team’s achievement as the number one ranked team in the country. Trump also honored the football team’s victories over Navy and Air Force, highlighting the athletic accomplishments alongside academic achievements.
