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Earlier this week, I penned an article examining the outlook of House Minority Leader, Rep. Hakeem Jeffries (NY-08). His perspective on America and the world seems to starkly contrast with the optimism and hopeful vision championed by Donald Trump and the Republican Party.
In a demonstration of this contrasting vision, President Trump delivered a commencement address at the Coast Guard Academy in New London, Connecticut, on Wednesday. His speech painted a picture of a confident and assertive America, one that does not shy away from celebrating its successes.
President Trump’s message was clear and resonant. Unfortunately, it’s a narrative that many graduates across the nation might miss, given that universities are often criticized for their perceived bias. This issue was highlighted by RedState’s Ben Smith in a report published on Sunday.
It’s a situation that some find downright absurd.
RELATED: Universities Frequently Advocate for Diversity, Yet Their Choice of Commencement Speakers Often Tells a Different Tale
Our national strength is back, our morale is back […] confidence is back, and, above all, American is back, BIGGER and BETTER… pic.twitter.com/1pd9JyXKH5
— Townhall.com (@townhallcom) May 20, 2026
President Trump to the graduating cadets at the @USCGAcademy:
“The Class of 2026 is graduating at an incredible, exciting time for our nation […]
Our national strength is back, our morale is back […] confidence is back, and, above all, American is back, BIGGER and BETTER and STRONGER than ever before.
We have a STRONG, GREAT, RESPECTED country again”
You tell ‘em, Mr. President. That’s a message that most graduating students around the country won’t be hearing because our universities have become hopelessly biased, as RedState’s Ben Smith reported Sunday:
A new analysis from The College Fix found Democrat or Democrat-leaning speakers outnumber Republican or Republican-leaning speakers by roughly 6-to-1 at the nation’s Top 100 universities. The outlet identified just six Republican or right-leaning keynote speakers compared to 38 Democrat or Democrat-leaning speakers at major undergraduate commencement ceremonies.
Ridiculous.
MORE: Universities Talk About Diversity Constantly. Their Commencement Speakers Tell a Different Story
Hakeem the Extreme: Bitter Jeffries Unloads Rage at Voters, Athletes, and Reality
Trump, speaking at the Academy for the first time since 2017 during his first presidency, wasn’t done. Unlike liberals, the president thinks we need to apologize to no one:
Trump reminds the world why we are #1 💪
“In this administration, we don’t apologize for American power or wealth.
We want to maximize it. We take advantage of it. We unleash it. And we wield it to pursue our country’s glorious destiny and our beautiful American dream.” pic.twitter.com/XMSoVwoMNV
— Townhall.com (@townhallcom) May 20, 2026
During his remarks, Trump noted that the graduating class was “blessed with many tremendous athletes,” and he asked two of them to join him on stage:
First, Trump introduced Broock Desta, the academy’s all-time leader in receptions, yards and touchdowns.
“Do we have a little NFL future here? Maybe? I don’t know, usually that could happen when you’re leading by that much,” Trump said of Desta.
Desta also played for the academy’s basketball team his senior season, but he was a true star on the gridiron. In 36 career games, Desta caught 29 touchdowns while also rushing for one and throwing another. He racked up 3,487 receiving yards on 234 catches.
Next to the stage was women’s lacrosse star Abby McAllister, the women’s lacrosse program’s all-time leader in assists and points.
“Are you that good?” Trump asked jokingly before adding, “That’s a big record.”
He also noted that his 2019 executive order changed the game by allowing graduates of military academies to go pro before fulfilling their active-duty requirement. “It has made such a difference,” he said. “It’s also made a big difference in recruiting. That’s why your teams are better today than they used to be…”
The president left with a parting gift for the new grads: he absolved them of (some of their) sins:
.@POTUS jokes with graduating cadets at the @USCGAcademy who “may have spent a little bit too much time” at the local bar:
“We want you all to have a clean slate as you begin your careers—so therefore, Mr. Superintendent, I hereby absolve all cadets who are on restriction for… pic.twitter.com/bjzO9433Uq
— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) May 20, 2026
.@POTUS jokes with graduating cadets at the @USCGAcademy who “may have spent a little bit too much time” at the local bar:
“We want you all to have a clean slate as you begin your careers—so therefore, Mr. Superintendent, I hereby absolve all cadets who are on restriction for minor conduct infractions—and even somewhat major infractions—effective immediately!” 🤣
Congratulations, graduates. No need to apologize!
Watch the entire speech here (cued up to the beginning of his remarks):
Editor’s Note: Thanks to President Trump and War Secretary Pete Hegseth’s leadership, the warrior ethos is coming back to America’s military.
Help us report on Trump and Hegseth’s successes as they make our military great again. Join RedState VIP and use promo code FIGHT to receive 60% off your membership.