Tom Boggioni
May 25, 2025
RAW STORY
U.S. President Donald Trump wears a 'Make America Great Again' (MAGA) hat as he attends the commencement ceremony at West Point Military Academy in West Point, New York, U.S., May 24, 2025. REUTERS/Eduardo Munoz
During a panel discussion on MSNBC on Donald Trump's commencement speech to cadets at West Point on Saturday, MSNBC's Alex Witt pointed out that the president broke with tradition by leaving immediately after.
Following the speech, which has become notable for the president discussing the usefulness of "trophy wives," Trump was escorted off-stage and left without taking part in either saluting or shaking hands with graduating cadets as previous presidents have done –– including President Joe Biden last year.
"Here's something else that some are going to call inappropriate," the MSNBC host addressed to former Barrack Obama HUD Secretary Julián Castro. "Because Trump skipped the tradition of past presidents who shake the hand of each graduate as they receive their diploma. In fact, last year, President Biden stood for more than an hour and returned the salute of over 1000 West Point graduates."
She added, "In contrast, Trump left yesterday before diplomas were even handed out," before pointing out the Vice President J.D. Vance spoke at the U.S Naval Academy and did stick around to greet each graduate.
"What are the optics here?" the MSNBC host pressed her guest.
"Well, I mean, I think what you can say about Trump is that he's full of himself," Castro replied. "He's self-absorbed, doesn't really care about the graduates that he's addressing, speaks in platitudes and, you know, says all of the right words in a speech to congratulate them but doesn't really care.
"That's why he's disrespecting them by wearing a MAGA hat, not shaking their hands, not taking the time," he continued. "I mean, you know, if you're a parent, they're in the audience and you're watching and this is the day that you've been looking forward to. And your son or daughter, look what they're accomplishing –– you have to find this so disrespectful."
You can watch below or at the link.
'Get him some ADHD medicine': Jasmine Crockett (D-TX) trashes Trump's West Point speech
David Edwards
May 25, 2025
RAW STORY
U.S. President Donald Trump gives a speech, during the commencement ceremony at West Point Military Academy in West Point, New York, U.S., May 24, 2025. REUTERS/Nathan Howard
Rep. Jasmine Crockett (D-TX) mocked President Donald Trump after he aired his political grievances to cadets during a rambling commencement speech at West Point over the weekend.
During his rant, Trump complained that he had been "through more investigations than Alphonse Capone" and noted that "a lot of trophy wives [don't] work out." He also complained about "drag shows" in the U.S. armed forces.
"I am tired of it," Crockett said Sunday in response to the president's diatribe. "I mean, he literally sounds like someone who is broken out of the insane asylum. Like, he just be all over the place."
"Like, get him some ADHD medicine, if nothing else, because I don't know where he's ever going to go," she continued. "And I don't think that those that have gone through West Point expected to have their commander-in-chief address them and start talking about trophy wives or start talking about how he had so many investigations."
"What a great reminder that you are not qualified to be the person that potentially will command us as troops to go into war. Like, that is not instilling confidence whatsoever. And honestly, our troops deserve better. Our graduates deserve better. We as a country deserve better."
Crockett argued that the speech was a sign that Republicans should question Trump's mental capacity.
"We know when it comes down to his criminality, he is not qualified to serve," she observed. "But this is just absolutely deplorable."
Watch the video below from MSNBC or click the link here.
U.S. President Donald Trump gives a speech, during the commencement ceremony at West Point Military Academy in West Point, New York, U.S., May 24, 2025. REUTERS/Nathan Howard
Rep. Jasmine Crockett (D-TX) mocked President Donald Trump after he aired his political grievances to cadets during a rambling commencement speech at West Point over the weekend.
During his rant, Trump complained that he had been "through more investigations than Alphonse Capone" and noted that "a lot of trophy wives [don't] work out." He also complained about "drag shows" in the U.S. armed forces.
"I am tired of it," Crockett said Sunday in response to the president's diatribe. "I mean, he literally sounds like someone who is broken out of the insane asylum. Like, he just be all over the place."
"Like, get him some ADHD medicine, if nothing else, because I don't know where he's ever going to go," she continued. "And I don't think that those that have gone through West Point expected to have their commander-in-chief address them and start talking about trophy wives or start talking about how he had so many investigations."
"What a great reminder that you are not qualified to be the person that potentially will command us as troops to go into war. Like, that is not instilling confidence whatsoever. And honestly, our troops deserve better. Our graduates deserve better. We as a country deserve better."
Crockett argued that the speech was a sign that Republicans should question Trump's mental capacity.
"We know when it comes down to his criminality, he is not qualified to serve," she observed. "But this is just absolutely deplorable."
Watch the video below from MSNBC or click the link here.
Trump 'on brand' with anti-woke rant at army officer graduation
Agence France-Presse
May 25, 2025
Donald Trump attends the commencement ceremony at West Point. REUTERS/Nathan Howard
Attendees at a graduation event for new US army officers Saturday tried to brush off inflammatory remarks by Donald Trump, but said they were unsurprised by the president's rhetoric.
Trump's speech at the West Point Military Academy veered between attacks on transgender people and army diversity, equity and inclusion policies to slamming his predecessors.
An infantry major who declined to give their name said that Trump "sure had them on their toes" with his speech, but when asked about the political content said: "it was my first commander-in-chief's speech" -- so had nothing with which to compare.
Trump railed against past army efforts to promote integration and tolerance, claiming that after he dismantled such policies, troops were no longer forced to perform drag shows overseas.
"(I) liberated our troops from divisive and demeaning political trainings," he said.
Cadet George Montras, 23, said that he enjoyed parts of Trump's speech about "winning" -- but did not take a view on the more overtly political content.
"(Winning) really matters here, whether it is sport, academically, whatever," he said.
On whether the speech was unusually political, Montras insisted that "it was pretty on brand" for Trump and he was unsurprised.
- 'Unravelled' -
The event was a jarring mix of precision regimented military ceremony against a backdrop of Trump's freewheeling remarks.
Graduates threw their hats into the air and marched accompanied by a military band, while Trump wore a red "make America great again" cap and joked about incompetent senior officers.
One non-military attendee said Trump's rambling speech "was good then it just kind of unraveled."
General Stephane Richou, visiting with a delegation of other senior officers from France, described Trump's speech to the graduating class as "interesting."
"I was fascinated by the ceremony," he told AFP describing the "link between the commander-in-chief and the army for these youngsters" as an advantage.
A lieutenant colonel in the US army chaplain corps who declined to be named said that the day was about "the joy of serving."
Trump attended the New York Military Academy private school but avoided the Vietnam war draft through a medical exemption.
Declining to comment on the more controversial elements of the speech, the chaplain said "it was very encouraging" to hear Trump emphasize the importance of the military and that "it was a good time to become an officer."
At one point, Trump baselessly alleged that former president Barack Obama had given hypersonic missile technology to Russia, which prompted a large jeer from the non-graduating cadets assembled to see their classmates graduate.
- 'Divisive' policies -
There was also enthusiastic applause and cheering in the crowd when Trump rehashed his objection to transgender people competing in women's sport.
"We will not have men playing in women's sports if that's OK," he said after vowing to stamp out "divisive" inclusion policies in the military.
A special forces lieutenant colonel in the stands laughed out loud when Trump suggested in an off-the-cuff remark that he wanted a West Point gold ring, reserved for alumni of the grueling four-year course.
Kahena Wilhite was supporting a friend who graduated despite racking up 286 hours of disciplinary punishment time.
Describing Trump's words unfavorably, the 22-year-old said a number of Black and indigenous people left the stands in protest during the speech, which included praise for Levittown housing developments that formerly excluded non-white owners.
On whether it was a safe time to become an officer under Trump, Tom McGill, 75, from Baton Rouge, Louisiana said he was relieved that his grandson was going into an army support role.
"He's going into intelligence, I don't know if they see any action," he said, stressing that commentators have "got to give (Trump) a chance" on foreign policy.
Cadets that did speak to AFP stressed that the day was meant to be apolitical, and that they were excited to support their classmates.
"We're here to support each other," said a second-year cadet who gave his name as Torres and wore a pristine white uniform with a white peaked cap with gold trim.
"It's such an honor. The whole company is here to support the graduating class."
a number of Black and indigenous people left the stands in protest during the speech
Agence France-Presse
May 25, 2025
Donald Trump attends the commencement ceremony at West Point. REUTERS/Nathan Howard
Attendees at a graduation event for new US army officers Saturday tried to brush off inflammatory remarks by Donald Trump, but said they were unsurprised by the president's rhetoric.
Trump's speech at the West Point Military Academy veered between attacks on transgender people and army diversity, equity and inclusion policies to slamming his predecessors.
An infantry major who declined to give their name said that Trump "sure had them on their toes" with his speech, but when asked about the political content said: "it was my first commander-in-chief's speech" -- so had nothing with which to compare.
Trump railed against past army efforts to promote integration and tolerance, claiming that after he dismantled such policies, troops were no longer forced to perform drag shows overseas.
"(I) liberated our troops from divisive and demeaning political trainings," he said.
Cadet George Montras, 23, said that he enjoyed parts of Trump's speech about "winning" -- but did not take a view on the more overtly political content.
"(Winning) really matters here, whether it is sport, academically, whatever," he said.
On whether the speech was unusually political, Montras insisted that "it was pretty on brand" for Trump and he was unsurprised.
- 'Unravelled' -
The event was a jarring mix of precision regimented military ceremony against a backdrop of Trump's freewheeling remarks.
Graduates threw their hats into the air and marched accompanied by a military band, while Trump wore a red "make America great again" cap and joked about incompetent senior officers.
One non-military attendee said Trump's rambling speech "was good then it just kind of unraveled."
General Stephane Richou, visiting with a delegation of other senior officers from France, described Trump's speech to the graduating class as "interesting."
"I was fascinated by the ceremony," he told AFP describing the "link between the commander-in-chief and the army for these youngsters" as an advantage.
A lieutenant colonel in the US army chaplain corps who declined to be named said that the day was about "the joy of serving."
Trump attended the New York Military Academy private school but avoided the Vietnam war draft through a medical exemption.
Declining to comment on the more controversial elements of the speech, the chaplain said "it was very encouraging" to hear Trump emphasize the importance of the military and that "it was a good time to become an officer."
At one point, Trump baselessly alleged that former president Barack Obama had given hypersonic missile technology to Russia, which prompted a large jeer from the non-graduating cadets assembled to see their classmates graduate.
- 'Divisive' policies -
There was also enthusiastic applause and cheering in the crowd when Trump rehashed his objection to transgender people competing in women's sport.
"We will not have men playing in women's sports if that's OK," he said after vowing to stamp out "divisive" inclusion policies in the military.
A special forces lieutenant colonel in the stands laughed out loud when Trump suggested in an off-the-cuff remark that he wanted a West Point gold ring, reserved for alumni of the grueling four-year course.
Kahena Wilhite was supporting a friend who graduated despite racking up 286 hours of disciplinary punishment time.
Describing Trump's words unfavorably, the 22-year-old said a number of Black and indigenous people left the stands in protest during the speech, which included praise for Levittown housing developments that formerly excluded non-white owners.
On whether it was a safe time to become an officer under Trump, Tom McGill, 75, from Baton Rouge, Louisiana said he was relieved that his grandson was going into an army support role.
"He's going into intelligence, I don't know if they see any action," he said, stressing that commentators have "got to give (Trump) a chance" on foreign policy.
Cadets that did speak to AFP stressed that the day was meant to be apolitical, and that they were excited to support their classmates.
"We're here to support each other," said a second-year cadet who gave his name as Torres and wore a pristine white uniform with a white peaked cap with gold trim.
"It's such an honor. The whole company is here to support the graduating class."
D. Earl Stephens
May 25, 2025 9:00AM ET
RAW ST0RY
Donald Trump attends the commencement ceremony at West Point. REUTERS/Nathan Howard
Sometimes, all this is just too damn much to take.
Sometimes, just the thought of the grotesque Donald Trump being in the vicinity of the United States of America much less our White House makes me shake with rage ...
So when I read on Saturday morning that the revolting, America-attacking wretch had given the commencement address to our cadets at West Point, my heart began beating with a runaway rage.
I saw red.
I pulled myself away from my desk and tried to compose myself.
Then I returned and started typing, because when I saw this vile coward used this grotesque visit to honor himself, I decided a few things needed saying ...
This hideous man … his childish, red, made-in-China hat pulled tight over the dead ferret he tapes to his head each day, spent this morning lying to these cadets, and the world, about all he is doing for them, while benefits to veterans like myself and millions of others are being jeopardized, so he can repay billionaires and fascists like Vladimir Putin who helped lift his two-ton, lying ass into office.
Trump needs to stay far away from our military, and closer to all those fawning suckers he cheats on and berates on his golf courses.
Instead, he actually said this out loud to impressionable young men and women today, who enlisted to defend this country not burn it down:
“And you will become officers of the greatest and most powerful army the world has ever known. And I know, because I rebuilt that army, and I rebuilt the military. And we rebuilt it like nobody has ever rebuilt it before in my first term.”
My God …
This orange lowlife has done nothing but DISGRACE that army. He doesn’t know a single, damn thing about army values, navy values, or ANY values, because the only thing he truly values — the only thing he has EVER valued — is himself.
As a sailor, who read Stars and Stripes newspaper in the 1970s, and then became the managing editor of that great, editorially independent newspaper many years later, I had the honor of being a part of our military, and understand it, and them, better than that ghastly, country club bully ever will.
Morally busted lowlifes like Trump are the enemy of that culture, not the example.
He has NEVER had what it takes to serve his country, because above all, he is a liar and a coward, who uses America as his personal ATM.
The fact is, he is an America-attacking draft-dodger, who has called our fallen "suckers and losers" and did nothing for three hours while law enforcement officers in uniform were stomped to near death during the worst attack on our Capitol since 1812.
He could have called in the National Guard in minutes to stop that January 6th attack, but didn't for one reason, and one reason only: He was hoping it would prevail.
He has belittled true heroes like the late John McCain, and disgraced Arlington National Cemetery more times than I can count. He did nothing after the professional propagandist he chose to lead our military shared stop-secret information on his cell phone to God knows who, jeopardizing countless lives in our military that he alleges he cares so much about.He is an enemy of the United States of America.
He is serial-liar and a cheater.
A racist.
A phony.
A punk.
A convicted felon.
A woman-abuser.
This dangerous bullshit that he somehow loves our country or our military needs TO STOP RIGHT NOW.
He provably hates both.
He loves our country like an arsonist loves a burning house.
Duty, honor, country?
Give me a damn break. He doesn't have even the foggiest idea of what these things truly mean.
He can go straight to hell.
I SPIT ON HIM.
(D. Earl Stephens is the author of “Toxic Tales: A Caustic Collection of Donald J. Trump’s Very Important Letters” and finished up a 30-year career in journalism as the Managing Editor of Stars and Stripes. You can find all his work here, and follow him on Bluesky here.)
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