Trump Breaks With Tradition and Won't Speak at U.S. Naval Academy Graduation [View all]
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Trump Breaks With Tradition and Wont Speak at U.S. Naval Academy Graduation
The military academy cycles through four speakers on rotation, and this year should be President Trumps turn.
By Emily Burack Published: May 19, 2026 10:24 AM EDT

Kayla Bartkowski//Getty Images
President Donald Trump will not speak at the United States Naval Academy graduation this Friday at the Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium, breaking with tradition.
The military academy historically cycles through just four speakers: the Secretary of the Navy, the Secretary of Defense, the Vice President, and the President. As Vice President JD Vance spoke last graduation, this year it is President Trumps turn. Instead, the General Dan Caine, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, will address the Class of 2026. No reason was given for Trump skipping the graduation.
According to the
Baltimore Banner, The Naval Academy had been unusually mum about this years graduation speaker, waiting until less than a week before commencement to announce it publicly.
Trump last addressed the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis in 2018, drawing what the
Navy Times described as a mixed response. He told the graduates, Youre among the finest people anywhere in the world the smartest, the strongest. You know you will make us proud. We know that glory will be yours because you are winners, you are warriors, you are fighters, you are champions, and you will lead us only to victory.
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