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Trump Breaks With Tradition and Won’t Speak at U.S. Naval Academy Graduation

The military academy cycles through four speakers on rotation, and this year should be President Trump’s turn.

By Emily Burack Published: May 19, 2026 10:24 AM EDT


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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 Trump’s 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 year’s 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, “You’re 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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