Trump at West Point graduation lauds "Golden Age" as anti-DEI and pro-defense
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President Trump walks the field prior to addressing graduates of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point in Michie Stadium on Saturday. Photo: Michael M. Santiago/ Getty Images
President Trump gave the commencement address for the U.S. Military Academy at West Point on Saturday, in his speech refusing to cut the $1 trillion military budget and praising who he called the "first West Point graduates of the Golden Age."
The big picture: The speech follows the president's directive via Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to launch a nationwide review of military academies targeting for cuts any initiative perceived to enhance diversity, equity and inclusion.
What he's saying: Trump referenced his anti-DEI focus, bragging that he's "liberated our troops from divisive and demeaning political trainings."
- "There will be no more critical race theory or transgender for everybody forced onto our brave men and women in uniform or anybody else for that matter in this country," the president said, promoting his bans on transgender service members and "men playing in women's sports."
Zoom in: He also championed building up the Armed Forces, "a build up like we've never had before," Trump called it.
- He promised new "stealth planes" and again publicized his mass deportation plan and promised Golden Dome missile defense shield to be completed before he leaves office.
- Then, he moved on to promoting his trade policies, accusing other countries of "ripping off" America.
- "You have to watch what we're doing on trade," he said.
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