Trump Claims Military Rebuilt in West Point Speech

President Donald Trump delivered a politically charged commencement speech to the West Point graduating class of 2025, asserting that he single-handedly rebuilt the U.S. military and restored its focus on defeating America’s adversaries. Wearing his signature “Make America Great Again” hat, Trump praised the cadets’ achievements while criticizing diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs, aligning with his administration’s earlier executive orders and directives to dismantle such initiatives within the Department of Defense. He condemned previous military engagements as misguided nation-building efforts and emphasized a return to the military's core missions, rejecting what he termed “social projects and political causes,” including transgender troop participation. The speech also included Trump’s repeated claims of electoral victories and political slogans, reflecting his continued use of rally-style rhetoric. Unlike his 2020 West Point address, which occurred amid military dissent and public controversy, Trump’s current speech comes at a time when the Pentagon is more aligned with his political agenda, having installed civilian leaders loyal to his MAGA movement. The event also drew some outside protestors advocating for veterans and opposing budget cuts, highlighting ongoing tensions surrounding the military and Trump’s policies.