Staff Reports
President Trump delivered a powerful message to West Point’s graduating class this weekend, sharing a cautionary tale about a real estate mogul who lost everything. He described meeting Bill Levitt, a once-successful developer who went bankrupt and sat alone at a party. Trump told cadets Levitt’s downfall came from losing his “momentum” – a lesson about fighting to stay on top in life and battle.
The commander-in-chief mixed personal stories with tough truths about America’s challenges. He recalled building his empire through relentless hustle, contrasting it with Levitt’s defeat. Trump urged cadets to never surrender their drive, saying quitters “disappear like dust in the wind” while warriors make history.
Trump celebrated rebuilding America’s military after what he called “disaster years” under weak leadership. He highlighted new missile defense systems and a focus on protecting borders first. “Our enemies tremble at our strength again,” he declared, drawing cheers for plans to remove “invaders” and criminal aliens.
The president slammed “woke” military policies that prioritize diversity over victory. He vowed to purge classrooms of “brainwashing” about race and gender, demanding soldiers focus on dominating enemies – not pronouns. “You’re here to annihilate threats, not attend sensitivity training,” Trump thundered.
Emotional moments came as Trump praised the “courageous patriots” before him. He thanked parents for raising “real American lions” instead of “iPad zombies.” Cadets got life advice: cherish family, ignore haters, and marry someone who “loves America as much as you do.”
Though critics mocked Trump’s freewheeling style, cadets responded to his raw honesty. When he joked about Democrats trying to jail him, the future officers laughed. When he growled about crushing ISIS in three weeks, they roared approval. The speech felt more locker room pep talk than political lecture.
Trump’s central warning about momentum resonated most. He told graduates America itself risks becoming like Levitt – once great, now struggling – unless strong leaders fight for its renewal. “Momentum isn’t a gift,” Trump concluded. “It’s something you seize through blood, sweat, and total belief in your cause.”
The speech ended with a call to defend America’s heritage against “those who want to erase it.” Trump left cadets with a final thought: “When you’re old and gray, you’ll tell grandkids you were there when we saved this nation – and they’ll salute you forever.”
