Key Points:
- President Trump addressed University of Alabama graduates, blending motivational advice with political commentary.
- While well-received by many, his speech also drew protests from student groups and civil rights organizations.
- The event marked Trump’s first commencement-style speech of his second term, amid his celebration of 100 days in office.
President Donald Trump delivered a high-profile address to graduating students at the University of Alabama on Thursday evening, combining motivational advice with pointed political remarks during a ceremony that drew both cheers and protests.
The event, held ahead of the university’s official commencement on Friday, was Trump’s first address to a graduating class in his second term. Speaking in a packed arena alongside university President Stuart Bell and former football coach Nick Saban, Trump praised Alabama as “a state that knows how to win” and told students they were entering the “golden age of America.”
“Don’t consider yourself a victim. Consider yourself a winner,” Trump said. “In America, we reject the idea that anyone is born a victim. Our heroes take charge of their destiny.”
While much of Trump’s message focused on encouragement and perseverance, he also touched on several political topics, including inflation, immigration policy, and the judiciary. He criticized President Biden’s administration and lamented the legal challenges facing his own policies. “The last four years were not good for our country,” he said. “We were run by people who didn’t have a clue.”
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Trump’s remarks were met with enthusiastic applause from many in the audience, especially when he highlighted his tariffs and border policies. However, outside the arena, students and activists gathered for a “Tide Against Trump” rally, organized by the university’s College Democrats and featuring former senator Doug Jones and ex-presidential candidate Beto O’Rourke.
The Alabama NAACP also criticized the decision to invite Trump, arguing that his presence was divisive and reminiscent of past exclusionary rhetoric. “Students of color should reflect on how to make America more inclusive, not listen to a speaker who undermines that goal,” said NAACP Alabama President Benard Simelton.
Despite the controversy, University President Stuart Bell emphasized that the evening was about celebrating the achievements of the Class of 2025. “This ceremony offers a meaningful opportunity to reflect on the connection between academic inquiry and civic leadership,” Bell said.
After Alabama, Trump is scheduled to spend the weekend in Florida at his Mar-a-Lago resort, following a campaign-style rally earlier this week in Michigan.