Trump Honors West Point’s Elite Athletes and Legacy in Commencement Speech

President Donald Trump delivered a rousing commencement address at West Point on Saturday, celebrating the academy’s storied legacy and its standout athletes. With his trademark enthusiasm, Trump gave a nod to the men’s lacrosse team, which soared to the No. 1 national ranking last year—a historic first for Army. “That’s a tough sport, folks, and they dominated,” he said, his voice brimming with admiration.

Turning to the gridiron, Trump hailed the Army Black Knights football team for their stellar season, including back-to-back victories over Navy (20-17 and 17-11) and a crushing 23-3 win against Air Force. He singled out graduating quarterback Bryson Daily, dubbed “Captain America,” for his leadership in driving the team to a top-20 national ranking and their longest winning streak since 1949. “I saw him play—NFL material, but he chose service over stardom,” Trump noted, inviting Daily to the stage for a brief, heartfelt speech. “Go Army football!” Daily declared, earning cheers from the 1,002 graduating cadets.

Trump, ever the showman, marveled at Daily’s physique, joking, “I tapped his shoulder—it’s like hitting steel!” He praised Daily’s commitment to becoming an infantry officer, calling it “service at its finest.” The president also reflected on West Point’s unparalleled prestige, describing it as “the most elite military academy in history.”

Beyond athletics, Trump used the platform to critique past foreign policies and pledge to restore merit-based systems, vowing to eliminate critical race theory, DEI initiatives, and men competing in women’s sports. His focus on traditional military values resonated with the cadets, who represent the future of America’s armed forces.