Donald Trump

Trump Tells Naval Academy Grads: ‘You Will Lead Us Only to Victory'

The president said he would stay and shake the hand of all 1,042 newly commissioned ensigns and second lieutenants

President Donald Trump gave the commencement speech Friday for the 2018 graduates of the United States Naval Academy on Friday, telling them to dream big and reflecting on America's place in the world under his presidency.

A day earlier, Trump highlighted American military preparedness as he canceled a planned summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.

At the commencement speech in Annapolis Friday, he said there can be no losing in a fight, should the U.S. get into one. 

"If a fight must come, there is no other alternative: victory, winning. Beautiful words, but that's what it's all about," Trump said.

Trump also highlighted his efforts to boost federal defense spending and bolster the Navy — "we have begun the great rebuilding of the U.S. military" — in his speech to the 1,042 newly commissioned ensigns and second lieutenants.

He said he would stay and shake the hand of each one of the graduates, turning down the option of not doing so.

"We 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," Trump said in closing out his remarks.

It was Trump's first time speaking to the academy's graduating class. Last year, Trump addressed the Coast Guard Academy.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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