Trump’s awkward – President Donald Trump’s 79th birthday? No — at the U.S. Coast Guard Academy’s 145th commencement in New London, Connecticut, his prepared remarks gave way to uncomfortable comments about the “good-looking” cadets, their bodies, and fitness scores. He also app
President Donald Trump’s prepared commencement speech at the U.S. Coast Guard Academy in New London, Connecticut took a turn about 10 minutes in—right when the ceremony was already moving past the formalities.
Trump, 79, began by praising the class of 2026 and the Coast Guard’s role in defending the country. But around 11:50 a.m., he shifted from his remarks to singling out individual cadets, including comments focused on their appearance as they were called up.
“I hate good looking men. We also have the only cadet who earned a perfect score on every single fitness test. I wanna check him out. Look at the muscles on this guy,” Trump said, as captured in a clip posted to social media on May 20, 2026.
After inviting a male cadet who finished at the top of his class to shake his hand, Trump added, “I hate good-looking men.” He then introduced another graduate who had “earned a perfect score on every fitness test.”
“This guy must be something. I think we’ll have to invite him up,” Trump said. “I want to check him out.”
When the cadet walked onstage, Trump leaned into the moment again: “Woah! Look at the muscles on this guy!”
The awkwardness continued when Trump called up a female cadet. As she approached, he explained, “If I didn’t invite her up, they’d accuse me of discrimination. I have to get her up here. She looks so fantastic. This is ridiculous.”
Even beyond the appearance comments, the speech didn’t flow cleanly. During the ceremony. Trump appeared to stumble over parts of the script. including saying. “Our national slengtheses is back. ” while attempting to say “strength.” He later added. “We are a confident country again. We have confidence is back.”.
Trump has faced scrutiny in recent months over repeated instances of slurred speech ahead of his annual medical exam scheduled for May 26.
When asked for comment, White House spokesperson Davis Ingle did not directly address the specific issue raised during the ceremony. Instead. Ingle criticized former President Joe Biden. saying: “President Trump’s sharpness. unmatched energy and historic accessibility stand in stark contrast to what we saw during the last administration.”.
The remarks came as the 145th commencement unfolded at the academy, with cadets beginning the ceremony at 11 a.m. Trump spoke at about 11:50 a.m. and wrapped up after roughly 53 minutes. The president later called the event historic in a different way. noting he was the first president to deliver two commencement addresses at the academy.
“We’re going to have to try it maybe a third time, too, to keep that record intact,” Trump told graduates.
Outside the academy, Trump was met with protests in New London. Some of those in attendance held signs demanding the release of the Epstein files or an end to the conflict in Iran.
Trump still received a warm reception anyway: he was greeted with a 21-gun salute before delivering the keynote address at the ceremony.
The nearly hour-long speech alternated between praise for the graduating class and familiar themes about what Trump described as the country’s recovery, alongside discussion of U.S. security posture while addressing the class.
The speech was his second commencement address at the U.S. Coast Guard Academy—the first came in 2017 during his first term. It was also the first commencement address Trump has delivered at a U.S. military academy since sending American troops into a new war.
Donald Trump U.S. Coast Guard Academy commencement address New London class of 2026 cadets fitness tests protests Epstein files conflict in Iran slurred speech