President Donald Trump delivered a spirited and unapologetically patriotic address to the graduating Class of 2025 at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, telling the 1,002 cadets before him, “You are winners. Every single one of you.”
Speaking under sunny skies to a crowd that greeted him with chants of “USA, USA,” Trump praised the academy as the “most elite and storied military academy in human history.” The commencement marked his first military graduation address of his second term in office—a symbolic return to familiar themes of military strength, national pride, and American exceptionalism.
“Let me begin by saying congratulations to the West Point Class of 2025,” he said. “Today I can proudly say: mission accomplished, great job.”
Throughout his remarks, Trump leaned heavily into a message of restoring traditional values and reshaping military priorities. He issued a sharp rebuke of past foreign policy decisions, pledging to eliminate what he called divisive ideology from the ranks—specifically targeting critical race theory, DEI initiatives, and gender policies that he argued undermine combat readiness.
“The job of the U.S. is not to host drag shows or transform foreign countries. It’s not to spread democracy at the point of a gun,” Trump declared. “The military’s job is to dominate any foe and annihilate threats to America—anytime, anywhere.”
The former commander-in-chief, now again holding the reins of the Oval Office, doubled down on his doctrine of “peace through strength,” vowing to pursue a massive military expansion aimed at deterring global threats without engaging in endless conflict.
“If the United States is under attack, the Army will obliterate our opponents with overwhelming strength and devastating force,” he said. “That’s why this nation has begun a colossal buildup of the United States armed forces—a buildup like you’ve never had before.”
In a lighter moment, Trump invited a standout cadet to the stage after revealing the cadet had “smashed” an international record during an 18.5-mile march, celebrating the individual’s determination and grit. He also tipped his hat to Army football, acknowledging recent wins over Navy and Air Force and lauding the team’s national rankings.
The legacy of West Point loomed large in the backdrop, with Trump reflecting on its deep history of producing military legends like Gen. George Patton and Gen. Douglas MacArthur, as well as former U.S. presidents Ulysses S. Grant and Dwight D. Eisenhower. He also noted the academy’s broader influence in the civilian world, pointing to alumni who have gone on to lead Fortune 500 companies like AOL, Procter & Gamble, and Johnson & Johnson.
The day before, Vice President JD Vance addressed graduates at the U.S. Naval Academy, warning of a “new and very dangerous era” as America faces rising global threats from China, Russia, and beyond. Vance echoed the administration’s emphasis on clearly defined military objectives and a more focused approach to defense strategy.
Together, the two speeches offered a unified message from the Trump administration: a call for strength, clarity, and a renewed commitment to defending America with honor, discipline, and power.
