Donald Trump delivers speech for West Point graduates; Where did the US President go to high school?
On May 24, 2025, Trump delivered a commencement address at the United States Military Academy at West Point, marking his second appearance at the institution. In his speech, Trump emphasized themes of national pride, military readiness, and leadership, while also highlighting his administration's defense policies and initiatives.
Wearing a red MAGA (Make America Great Again) hat, the Republican president told the 1,002 members of the class of 2025 at the US Military Academy that the United States is the 'hottest country in the world' and underscored an 'America First' ethos for the military.
What did Trump say in his speech?
Addressing the graduating crowd at the Michie Stadium, Trump said, 'In a few moments, you'll become graduates of the most elite and storied military academy in human history. And you will become officers of the greatest and most powerful army the world has ever known. And I know, because I rebuilt that army, and I rebuilt the military. And we rebuilt it like nobody has ever rebuilt it before in my first term.'
Emphasizing more on his personal achievements and bashing the previous Biden government, Trump continued, 'We're getting rid of distractions and we're focusing our military on its core mission: crushing America's adversaries, killing America's enemies and defending our great American flag like it has never been defended before.
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He also added, 'The job of the US armed forces is not to host drag shows or transform foreign cultures,' referencing drag shows on military bases that the previous Democratic President Joe Biden's administration halted after Republican criticism.
While he staunchly criticized past administrations for subjecting 'the armed forces to all manner of social projects and political causes while leaving our borders undefended and depleting our arsenals to fight other countries' wars,' the US President noted that the cadets were graduating at a 'defining moment' in Army history.
Trump's advice during the address included doing what they love, thinking big, working hard, holding on to their culture, keeping faith in America, and taking risks. In a nod to presidential tradition, Trump also pardoned about half a dozen cadets who had faced disciplinary infractions.
Did Trump go to West Point?
While the President did deliver a passionate speech for the West Point graduates, Trump himself did not attend the United States Military Academy at West Point.
Instead, he completed his secondary education at the New York Military Academy (NYMA), a private boarding school located in Cornwall-on-Hudson, New York. Trump enrolled at NYMA in 1959 at the age of 13 due to behavioral concerns and graduated in 1964. During his time there, he was actively involved in sports, including varsity soccer, baseball, and football, and held leadership positions, such as serving as a captain of the varsity baseball team.
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