Overview

• President Donald Trump delivered a commencement address at West Point on May 24, 2025, combining personal anecdotes with policy messaging.
• Trump shared the story of William Levitt, a real estate mogul who lost his fortune and momentum after selling his company and remarrying, to warn graduates about life choices and perseverance.
• He cautioned graduates against marrying “trophy wives,” using Levitt’s personal struggles as an example of distractions that can derail success.
• The speech highlighted Trump’s administration’s defense priorities, including a $1 trillion budget and the rollback of diversity initiatives in the military.
• Trump’s unconventional rhetorical style, including his tangents on personal life advice, sparked mixed reactions from the audience.