Trump Alabama commencement: Trump delivers a speech to Alabama grads, mixing inspiration with political jabs and personal anecdotes. The special commencement event, held ahead of the university’s official graduation ceremonies, drew both praise and protests.
Applause and Ad-Libs in Crimson Tide Country
Alabama, a deep-red state that supported Trump in all three of his presidential campaigns, welcomed the Republican leader with enthusiastic cheers. Trump opened his remarks with encouragement, calling the Class of 2025 the “first graduating class of the golden age of America.” But the moment of unity was brief.
Soon, the speech transformed into a familiar mix of political grievances and culture war talking points. Trump mocked transgender athletes with a grunting impression of a female weightlifter, repeated false claims of a rigged 2020 election, and criticized judges for interfering with his immigration policies.
“They all hated me in my first term, and now they’re kissing my ass,” he said, referring to tech billionaires.
Life Lessons Mixed With Partisan Rhetoric
Despite the campaign-style tone, Trump did offer ten pieces of personal advice. Among them were, “Think of yourself as a winner,” “Be an original,” and “Never, ever give up.” He urged graduates to work hard, describing how he launched his first hotel deal in his twenties.
“Now is the time to work harder than you’ve ever worked before,” he said. “Find your limits and then smash through everything.”
The event was optional for graduates and not part of the official ceremony schedule. University President Stuart Bell reminded attendees that the evening was intended to celebrate academic and civic achievement.
Nick Saban Joins the Stage
Beloved former Crimson Tide football coach Nick Saban also spoke at the event. He shared a story about his 2018 visit to the Oval Office, praising Trump for being a gracious host. Saban’s appearance drew loud applause from the crowd, reinforcing the deep ties between football and state pride in Alabama.
Backlash and Counter-Rallies
Just a mile away, students and political leaders held a “Tide Against Trump” rally, led by former presidential candidate Beto O’Rourke and ex-Senator Doug Jones. Both criticized Trump’s use of the graduation stage to push his political agenda.
“The power of people works in this country, even against Donald Trump,” O’Rourke told the crowd.
The Alabama NAACP also denounced Trump’s appearance, saying his policies harm universities and minority students.
Aidan Meyers, a junior at the university, said, “I felt betrayed that the university was willing to put up with someone who has made it clear that they hate academia.”
Next Stop: Mar-a-Lago and West Point
Trump is expected to spend the weekend at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida. Later this month, he’s scheduled to deliver the commencement address at the U.S. Military Academy in West Point, New York.
Source: AP News
