Trump Tells West Point Graduates They’re Entering a ‘Golden Age’ of the U.S. Military
During a commencement address at the United States Military Academy on Saturday, President Trump told the graduating class they were stepping into a new “golden age” of American strength—one he credited to his efforts to restore the military and transform the country.
Addressing around 1,000 cadets at West Point, Mr. Trump criticized what he called past “nation-building crusades” in foreign countries that, in his words, “wanted nothing to do with us.” He condemned previous leadership for imposing “absurd ideological experiments” on the armed forces and the nation.
Dressed in a dark suit, a magenta tie, and his signature red “Make America Great Again” cap, Mr. Trump stood beside Lt. Gen. Steven W. Gilland, the superintendent of the academy, for the ceremony.
In his speech, Trump emphasized his campaign to eliminate diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives across government institutions, including the military. He framed these efforts as essential to making the country “worth fighting for again.”
Claiming credit for a revitalized military, Trump said the armed forces were now stronger than ever, with increased recruitment, higher morale, and a renewed commitment to national defense. The audience applauded several remarks, particularly when he spoke against transgender athletes participating in women’s sports and championed merit-based hiring over diversity-focused policies.
Early in his second term, Trump signed a series of executive orders targeting programs designed to combat systemic racism—policies he denounced as divisive and un-American.
He accused previous administrations of using the military for social and political agendas while neglecting border security and draining U.S. military resources in overseas conflicts.