President Trump to address graduates at University of Alabama and West Point
WASHINGTON ― President Donald Trump said he will deliver commencement addresses this spring at West Point and the University of Alabama, marking what would he his first speeches to graduates of his second term.
Trump announced the plans in a post late on April 21 on his social media platform Truth Social, adding to "stay tuned" for dates and times.
The graduation for the 2025 class of the U.S. Military Academy in West Point, New York is scheduled for May 24. The University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa, Ala. has graduation ceremonies set for May 2 through May 4.
In a statement, the University of Alabama said Trump won't speak at a formal graduation ceremony but rather a ticketed event at Coleman Coliseum on May 1, the day before the ceremonies begin. All spring graduates will have an opportunity to attend, the school said.
"The University of Alabama is honored to have been selected as one of the universities President Donald J. Trump will visit to deliver a spring commencement address," the university said in the statement.
Delivering graduation ceremonies at one of the nation's five military academies is a common ritual for U.S. presidents.
Trump's appearance at the University of Alabama will take him to a state with one of his strongest base of supporters. Trump attended an Alabama-Georgia football game at the University of Alabama in September during his 2024 presidential campaign.
Trump gave seven commencement speeches during his first term including at West Point in 2020. Trump's first commencement address was at Liberty University in Lynchburg, Va. in 2017.
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(This story has been updated with more information.)