Former President Donald Trump delivers the commencement address at the United States Military Academy at West Point on Saturday. While he articulated his vision for the military’s long-term future, his speech quickly took an unexpected turn into political commentary. He dubbed it a “defining moment in the army’s history.” That places these new officers at the helm of addressing unprecedented challenges in extraordinary ways.
Trump delivered his address while wearing a red “Make America Great Again” campaign hat. He lauded the achievements of eight cadets who developed their own designs and prototypes during their time at the academy. He highlighted their ingenuity and dedication, pointing toward a promise to continue to cultivate innovation from the bottom up, in the military’s rank-and-file.
Trump took to the world stage to declare unapologetically that the United States is the “hottest country in the world.” He pointed to his administration’s accomplishments as the rocket fuel powering this extraordinary status. He highlighted America’s return at the top of what he portrayed as an American economic boom and a resurgent American power and influence around the world.
To make his case, the former president told a story about William Levitt, the genius behind Levittowns. He employed this story to illustrate his perspective on purpose, ardor and achievement. He remarked that Levitt experienced dissatisfaction despite his successes, stating, “it didn’t work out too well, and that doesn’t work out too well, I must tell you, a lot of trophy wives, it doesn’t work out.” Trump noted that while Levitt may have found temporary happiness, “it made him happy for a little while at least.”
One aspect of Trump’s address that we were looking for were some sharp speeches on the military’s current course. He claimed that enemies would back down if we pursued a strategy of “peace through strength.” He argued that America’s military posture should be a testament to our resolute intent. He declared, “as much as you want to fight, I’d rather do it without having to fight,” emphasizing a preference for diplomacy backed by military readiness.
The ex president specifically targeted his predecessors for engaging the military in dubious missions. He wasn’t shy about voicing his displeasure with what he termed meaningless meetings. He stated, “the job of the US armed forces is not to host drag shows or transform foreign cultures,” referencing Joe Biden’s decision to halt drag shows on military bases earlier this year.
In addition to his criticism of current policies, Trump reiterated an unfounded claim regarding Russia’s alleged theft of U.S. hypersonic missile technology during Barack Obama’s presidency. He claimed, “The Russians stole it, something bad happened. We’re now building them, lots of them,” and added, “We are building them right now. We had ours stolen. We are the designers of it. We had it stolen during the Obama administration.”
Trump targeted the diversity, equity, and inclusion programs that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth recently dismantled. He remarked on the end of these initiatives, stating, “All of that’s ended, strongly ended. They’re not even allowed to think about it anymore,” indicating his belief that such programs distracted from military readiness.
Trump announced his participation in an expansive military parade scheduled for June 14 to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the nation. This event displays an all-too-visible pride and unity in the military. It also underscores his formative influence over our national discourse on defense and foreign policy.