(The Center Square) – President Trump will be giving the commencement address at the University of Alabama for the first time and West Point for the second, with more details to come.
The president posted on his Truth Social account: “I have agreed to do the Commencement Address at two really GREAT places, the University of Alabama and, WEST POINT. Stay tuned for times and dates!!!”
Trump gave the commencement address at West Point once before in 2020 – also as sitting president.
Other sitting presidents who have been speakers at West Point’s commencement include Theodore Roosevelt, Franklin Roosevelt, Dwight D. Eisenhower, John F. Kennedy, Ronald Reagan, and Barack Obama, among many others, according to West Point’s archives.
When reached for comment, West Point referred The Center Square to the White House Press Office for information regarding Trump’s address.
A University of Alabama (UA) statement obtained by The Center Square reads that “the University of Alabama is honored to have been selected as one of the universities President Donald J. Trump will visit to deliver a spring commencement address.”
“This ticketed event will be held the evening of Thursday, May 1, at Coleman Coliseum and will be open to all spring 2025 graduates,” the statement says.
“All spring graduates will have the opportunity to attend this distinct event in addition to their college-specific ceremonies where degrees will be conferred from May 2–May 4, as scheduled,” according to the statement.
When reached for comment, UA associate director of communications and media relations Alex House provided The Center Square with the school’s statement, which is very similar to a published statement from the school.
In response to the announcement of Trump’s UA commencement address, Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey posted on her X account: “It truly will be a historic occasion for these UA graduates and their families.”
“What an incredible opportunity to hear from the President of the United States!” Ivey wrote. “Thank you, @POTUS, for making this happen for our students.”
Meanwhile, U.S. Sen. Katie Britt released a statement saying she is “thrilled President Trump will deliver the keynote address at the University of Alabama’s commencement ceremonies this year.”
“It is a tremendous honor for the university and for this year’s graduating class to welcome a sitting President to campus – a first in the nearly 200-year history of the University of Alabama,” Britt wrote.
“As an alumna, I am especially proud to see my alma mater chosen for such a historic occasion,” Britt wrote.
The University of Alabama’s statement additionally explained that “campus logistics and security measures are being carefully coordinated, and ticketing information for graduates and other event details will be communicated in the coming days.”
“We look forward to celebrating our graduates throughout commencement weekend as we confer degrees to thousands of hardworking students who will go on to make a positive impact in the workforce and in communities across Alabama, our nation and the world,” the statement said.
