"Trump Praises West Point Cadets, Takes Credit for U.S. Military Might in Commencement Address."
"Trump Praises West Point Cadets, Takes Credit for U.S. Military Might in Commencement Address."
West Point, New York – Former President Donald J. Trump delivered the much-anticipated commencement address at the United States Military Academy at West Point. Trump lauded the graduating cadets and his own administration's record on military strength and defense spending at the same time.
Trump used the occasion to emphasize the cadets' individual sacrifices as well as his perspective on the resurgence of the American military during his time in office at the ceremony, which was carried out with a great deal of pomp and tradition. Trump praised the graduates' discipline, bravery, and dedication to service in his address to the crowd of cadets, families, faculty, and military leaders. Trump declared, "You are the future defenders of our great nation." "You embody the highest ideals of duty, honor, and patriotism." While Trump frequently deviated to emphasize his own role in bolstering the U.S. armed forces, the majority of the speech followed the customary themes of encouragement and national pride that are typical of commencement addresses for military personnel.
He made mention of his administration's record-high defense budgets, efforts to upgrade equipment, and the formation of the Space Force, the newest military branch. When I took office, our armed forces were in decline. Trump asserted, "It was depleted." We rebuilt it to be stronger and bigger than ever. Our warriors received the resources, funding, and respect they deserved. The former president emphasized the $2.2 trillion in authorized defense spending during his time in office, which included investments in cutting-edge submarines, new fighter jets, and missile defense systems. Additionally, he credited himself with enhancing the lives of service members through pay raises and healthcare reforms for veterans. Trump stated, "Our soldiers shouldn't have to fight with old equipment or bureaucracy that slows them down."
"That's why we cut the red tape that kept them from getting the best, and we made sure they had the best." Although the speech was well-received by the audience, it had political undertones that showed Trump's continued involvement in national discourse even after he left office. Even though he didn't attack political opponents directly, his comments about the military's state before and after he took office were veiled criticisms of previous administrations. Observers noted that Trump's message, which incorporated patriotism and a narrative of restoration, appeared to be crafted to appeal to his primary supporters. He stated, "We brought back American strength." "We demonstrated to the world that strength brings peace and that the United States military will always be the leader," Trump returned to the cadets as the ceremony progressed and thanked them for enduring one of the most rigorous academic and physical training programs in the world. He praised their resilience and acknowledged the unique difficulties they faced, particularly those who trained during the COVID-19 pandemic.
He stated, "You trained in unprecedented times of uncertainty and hardship." However, you never faltered. That is what distinguishes West Point." He urged the cadets to stick by the Constitution and uphold the values they had sworn to protect at the end of his speech. Trump stated, "You are warriors, but you are also stewards of freedom." "Lead with strength, integrity, and wisdom at the same time. America has faith in you. The audience, which included family members and senior military officials, responded with admiration and applause. A lot of cadets said that it was an honor to have their achievements recognized in such a prominent way. “It’s always a privilege to hear from our nation’s leaders, and we appreciate the recognition of the hard work and dedication required to get to this point,” said Cadet First Captain Emily Harper, the highest-ranking member of the Corps of Cadets. Within the confines of West Point, the focus remained on the graduating class and their upcoming service, despite the diverse political responses to Trump's remarks.
Prepared to face the complex global challenges of modern warfare and national defense, graduates in 2025 will now enter active duty. Trump's words hung in the air as they threw their caps into the air, echoing an age-old custom: "Go forth with courage." Use everything you have to defend this nation. And never forget that you are the best in America.
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Abraham Lincoln: The Long Road to Leadership
Abraham Lincoln’s journey to leadership was not a straight path paved with privilege or certainty. It was a long, uneven road marked by hardship, failure, patience, and moral growth. Born into poverty and shaped by loss, Lincoln rose not through inherited power but through resilience and a deepening sense of justice. His life story is a testament to how character is forged over time, and how leadership often grows out of struggle rather than success. Lincoln was born on February 12, 1809, in a small log cabin in Hardin County, Kentucky. His parents, Thomas and Nancy Lincoln, were poor farmers who owned little land and even fewer possessions. The frontier life was harsh and unpredictable, and young Abraham learned early the realities of physical labor. He helped clear fields, split rails, and work the soil, developing the strength and endurance that would later become legendary. Yet it was not physical work alone that shaped him—it was loss. When Abraham was just nine years old, his mother died from milk sickness, a tragedy that left a deep emotional scar. The quiet, thoughtful boy grew more introspective, learning early how fragile life could be. Formal education was rare on the frontier. Lincoln attended school only sporadically, totaling less than a year of classroom learning. But he possessed an intense hunger for knowledge. He borrowed books whenever he could—reading the Bible, Aesop’s Fables, Shakespeare, and books on history and law. He read by firelight after long days of labor, teaching himself grammar, logic, and storytelling. This self-education sharpened his mind and gave him a powerful command of language, a skill that would later define his leadership. As a young man, Lincoln left home and moved to New Salem, Illinois. There, he tried his hand at various jobs: store clerk, postmaster, surveyor, and finally lawyer. Many of these early efforts ended in failure. His first business collapsed, leaving him deeply in debt for years. He lost elections, struggled financially, and endured periods of deep sadness. Yet each setback strengthened his resolve. Lincoln developed a reputation for honesty—earning the nickname “Honest Abe”—and for fairness in his dealings with others. People trusted him not because he was flawless, but because he was sincere. Lincoln’s first steps into politics came in the Illinois state legislature, where he served multiple terms. He was not a fiery revolutionary but a careful thinker who believed in progress through law and debate. During this period, he also trained himself in the practice of law, riding the legal circuit across rural Illinois. In courtrooms and taverns, Lincoln listened to people’s concerns, learned their values, and understood the rhythms of ordinary American life. These experiences grounded his leadership in empathy and realism. The issue that would ultimately define Lincoln’s legacy—slavery—was one he approached with moral seriousness and caution. He personally believed slavery was wrong, but he also understood the deep divisions it caused in the nation. Rather than calling for immediate upheaval, Lincoln argued that slavery should not expand into new territories. His belief was rooted in the idea that the nation could not endure permanently half slave and half free. This position brought him national attention during the famous debates with Senator Stephen A. Douglas in 1858. Although Lincoln lost that Senate race, the debates revealed his clarity of thought, moral conviction, and ability to speak to the conscience of the nation. In 1860, amid rising sectional tensions, Lincoln was elected the 16th President of the United States. His victory was achieved without carrying a single Southern state, highlighting how divided the country had become. Soon after his election, several Southern states seceded from the Union, and the nation stood on the brink of collapse. Lincoln entered the presidency at its darkest hour, facing a civil war that threatened the very existence of the United States. Lincoln’s leadership during the Civil War was tested daily. He was mocked for his appearance, criticized for his decisions, and blamed for the immense suffering the war caused. He faced generals who disobeyed him, politicians who doubted him, and citizens who lost faith. Yet Lincoln remained steady. He believed the Union must be preserved, not for power, but for the principle that a democratic nation could survive internal conflict. Over time, Lincoln’s thinking on slavery evolved. What began as a desire to limit its spread grew into a firm commitment to its abolition. In 1863, he issued the Emancipation Proclamation, declaring freedom for enslaved people in Confederate-held territories. Though limited in immediate effect, it transformed the moral purpose of the war. The fight was no longer only about saving the Union—it was about human freedom. Lincoln’s greatest strength as a leader was not dominance, but humility. He listened to opposing views, admitted mistakes, and learned from experience. His speeches reflected this depth of character. The Gettysburg Address, delivered in just a few minutes, redefined the war as a struggle for equality and democratic ideals. His Second Inaugural Address showed compassion even toward the defeated South, urging the nation to heal “with malice toward none, with charity for all.” Tragically, Lincoln would not live to see the full reconstruction of the nation he fought to preserve. He was assassinated in April 1865, just days after the Civil War effectively ended. His death shocked the nation and turned him into a symbol of sacrifice and unity. Abraham Lincoln’s long road to leadership teaches us that greatness is rarely born—it is built. It is built through hardship, patience, learning, and moral courage. Lincoln did not rise because he never failed; he rose because he never stopped growing. From a poor boy in a log cabin to a president who reshaped a nation, his life remains one of the most powerful examples of leadership grounded in humanity, perseverance, and principle.
By The best writer a day ago in History
Comments (1)
You covered a lot of ground here. Trump's claims about rebuilding the military are debatable. I wonder how much of that was really his doing and how much was already in the works. Also, the Space Force - is it as revolutionary as he made it seem? And those defense budgets - were they well-spent or just for show?