Trump Speech at West Point, May 2025

Last Saturday, Donald Trump gave the 2025 commencement address at West Point. While I disagreed with some of Trump’s political messages, I took stock in the life lessons he communicated and the way he connected with the cadets.

Trump’s speech ran nearly an hour and focused on characteristic themes of America First, military strength, and national focus. In classic Trump style, he freelanced and wove personal anecdotes into broader points. He critiqued past U.S. policies and recent wars while emphasizing border control and renewed national sovereignty. He closed with six pieces of advice for the cadets—do what you love, think big, work hard, hold onto your culture, keep faith in America, and take risks—sharing a personal story with each. Throughout, Trump kept the audience engaged, even calling several cadets to the stage by name, giving the event a personal and rally-like energy.

For comparison, I later watched Ronald Reagan’s 1981 commencement address at West Point—a more concise 25-minute speech. Reagan focused on the re-emergence of American strength and the nation’s global responsibilities during the Cold War. He avoided partisanship and emphasized unity, declaring, “In recent weeks one could say there were no Democrats or Republicans in Congress—just Americans.” He urged cadets to see themselves as defenders of liberty in a divided world, spoke of America’s role in promoting peace and democracy, and delivered well-crafted jokes that drew laughter from the crowd.

Both speeches succeeded in their own ways. Trump energized cadets with the clarity of American self-interest; Reagan elevated them with a moral mission of American leadership. It was interesting to watch both—not just for content, but for how they reflected the priorities and personalities of the men delivering them.

Postscript:
At my own West Point graduation in 1989, Vice President Dan Quayle took the stage in a light drizzle that quickly turned into a heavy downpour. His speech was long, and I (like the other cadets) was totally soaked. And as we received our diplomas, the weather stole the show—our underwear showed through our drenched, white cadet slacks. It may not have been stirring or historical, but like Trump’s and Reagan’s addresses, it was definitely memorable.

SEE EACH SPEECH BELOW:

TRUMP (see timestamp 9:05 & 11:08, 12:05, 14:00, 49:45)