At the prestigious United States Military Academy at West Point, where tradition, duty, and honor are the cornerstones of every ceremony, President Donald Trump delivered a speech that broke the usual mold of apolitical decorum expected at military commencements. Trump’s remarks, marked by political barbs, controversial claims, and partisan nostalgia, ignited both cheers and visible discomfort among attendees—casting a spotlight on the tension between military professionalism and political spectacle.
The graduation ceremony, held Saturday for the Class of 2025, was supposed to be a celebration of achievement and the beginning of a lifelong commitment to service. Instead, it became a forum for one of America’s most polarizing political figures to relitigate grievances, revisit conspiracies, and take direct aim at his predecessors, particularly former President Barack Obama, and America’s foreign rivals.
One of the most controversial moments of the address came when Trump claimed that the design of the United States’ hypersonic missile had been “stolen” by Russia. “They got it from us,” Trump said, suggesting, without evidence, that a “bad person” had handed the plans to America’s adversary during the Obama administration. He doubled down in an earlier interview with Fox News, alleging Obama had effectively enabled Russia’s leap in weapons development.
“I said we need the best. We need something better. So we created the super hypersonic missile. And they stole it,” Trump told the crowd, many of whom watched with polite silence or unease. Some cadets and officers later described the claims as “confusing,” “inappropriate,” or simply “bizarre” for a graduation event.
The Department of Defense has never corroborated Trump’s allegations. Experts point out that both Russia and China have independently pursued hypersonic technology for years, and the United States has only recently accelerated its own development in the field.
Trump’s speech pivoted sharply between praise for the military and diatribes against inclusion policies. While he hailed the cadets for their commitment and sacrifice, he also lambasted the military’s initiatives to improve diversity and equity, mocking what he referred to as “woke” policies and drag performances.
“We liberated our troops from divisive and demeaning political trainings,” Trump said, drawing loud applause from some parts of the audience but also visible discomfort from others.
He also repeated one of his recurring campaign talking points: opposition to transgender athletes participating in women’s sports. “We will not have men playing in women’s sports, if that’s OK,” he said, again receiving a mix of cheers and head-shakes.
Kahena Wilhite, 22, who was attending to support a friend in the graduating class, described the atmosphere as “tense.” According to Wilhite, several Black and Indigenous attendees walked out during the speech after Trump praised historically discriminatory housing policies like those in Levittown.
“It was meant to be a celebration. But it turned into a campaign rally,” Wilhite said. “I think a lot of people were hoping he would just keep it about the cadets.”
Most cadets approached by the press declined to comment directly on Trump’s more incendiary remarks. Many emphasized that the day should remain focused on achievement and brotherhood.
“It’s such an honor. The whole company is here to support the graduating class,” said a second-year cadet who identified himself only as Torres. Dressed in ceremonial white with gold trim, Torres shrugged when asked about the political nature of the speech. “It was on-brand, I guess.”
Cadet George Montras, 23, was more forthcoming. He admitted he “enjoyed parts of the speech about winning,” but avoided weighing in on Trump’s broader claims.
“That’s what really matters here—winning, whether it’s sport or academics,” he said.
Others were more candid, though off the record. A senior officer described the speech as “theatrical,” while a major said it “sure had them on their toes.” One lieutenant colonel in the chaplain corps, choosing to focus on the positive, said he was glad the military had been emphasized, regardless of politics.
Trump’s presence at West Point was not unprecedented—he had delivered a commencement address there in 2020 as sitting president—but this return marked his re-emergence as a central figure in the 2024 political scene, as he seeks a second term.
Critics noted the irony of Trump’s repeated calls for military strength and service given his own draft deferment during the Vietnam War. Trump had received a medical exemption based on alleged bone spurs, a diagnosis that has long been questioned.
His remarks about wanting a West Point gold ring, typically reserved for alumni of the institution’s grueling four-year training program, drew laughter from the crowd. “Can I have one of those rings?” Trump quipped. “I deserve one after today.”
A special forces lieutenant colonel in the audience laughed aloud. “You can’t make this up,” he muttered.
General Stephane Richou of France, attending as part of a visiting delegation, struck a diplomatic tone. “The link between the commander-in-chief and the army for these youngsters is important,” he said. “The ceremony itself was very moving.”
Tom McGill, 75, attending in support of his grandson, expressed cautious support for Trump, even as he winced at some of the speech’s turns.
“People have got to give him a chance on foreign policy,” said McGill, whose grandson is entering a non-combat intelligence role. “At least he’s not afraid to talk tough.”
Meanwhile, critics argue that Trump’s return to the military spotlight signals a disturbing trend in the politicization of the armed forces.
“This is a ceremony for cadets who worked for years to earn those commissions,” said Rachel Kleinfeld, a senior fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. “To make it about partisan grievances is disrespectful to their service.”
As the ceremony drew to a close, cadets tossed their caps in the air, a symbol of triumph, unity, and the beginning of their journey as officers. The red MAGA hat Trump wore during the event lingered in stark contrast to the crisp, uniformed discipline surrounding him.
In a speech that was supposed to honor service, the spectacle served instead as a reminder of the divisions that now cut through even America’s most time-honored institutions.
For many of the cadets, the focus remained on camaraderie and commitment, regardless of the headlines.
“We support each other,” said a graduating cadet as the military band struck up its final march. “No matter who’s giving the speech.”
