President Trump proclaimed Thursday that the University of Alabama’s spring graduating class is the first of “the Golden Age of America,” arguing that the students could become “the greatest generation” of Americans.
“You’ve done a lot of winning. Winning is a good thing to do,” Trump told the class of 2025 at the university known for its powerhouse athletic programs. “But today I’m also asking you to look forward to something very, very bright and more promising.”
“And it’s going to be an even more promising tomorrow – I promise you that.”
“You’re the first graduating class of the Golden Age of America,” Trump declared.
The president touted his historic first three months back in the White House as a beacon of what the future has in store.
“100 days, yesterday, 100 days … and we’ve done things that nobody thought were even possible,” Trump continued.
“You’re graduating at an exciting time for our nation,” he added. “A period of both extraordinary change and incredible potential.”
The president predicted that the new graduates will see “unbelievable growth” in the country “very soon.”
“You’re going to see it starting very, very soon. The whole world is talking about it,” Trump said.
Later, the commander in chief expressed optimism that grads could become a part of the “greatest generation” of Americans to ever live.
“I think you have a chance to be the greatest generation in the history of our country, because we’re turning it around,” Trump said.
The president was introduced by legendary former Alabama Crimson Tide football coach Nick Saban.
“It’s a special moment for me,” the seven-time national championship-winning coach said of introducing Trump.
“But I got to be honest with you,” Saban added. “I feel like I’m the warm-up band for the Rolling Stones.”
Trump’s address marks the first time in 18 years that the University of Alabama has brought in a commencement speaker for graduation festivities.
The last commencement speaker offered by the school was Alabama businessman James T. Stephens, in the spring of 2007, and he used the platform to criticize the US war in Iraq – drawing boos and even some laughter, according to the Tuscaloosa News.
Ahead of his remarks, Trump indicated that he was looking forward to speaking at “the Great University of Alabama.”
“They put all of their nine Graduations into one, so I better do well,” the president wrote on Truth Social. “These are tremendous people. I won the State by 45 points.”
“No pressure!”
Trump’s appearance was billed by the university as a “special commencement address” that would not impact formal graduation ceremonies planned through the weekend
“Previously planned college-specific commencement ceremonies where graduate names will be announced and degrees conferred are still scheduled for May 2-4,” the university said.
Alabama, including its law school, is graduating some 6,700 students this spring.
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