BREAKINGNEWS:Donald Trump tells University of Alabama graduates: ‘You fight, fight, fight and you win, win, win!’

On May 1, 2025, President Donald Trump delivered a specially arranged commencement-like address to the University of Alabama Class of 2025 at the Coleman Coliseum in Tuscaloosa, marking his first graduation speech of his second term and commemorating his administration’s first 100 days in office . Embracing local tradition, he opened with “Roll Tide,” the university’s revered football chant, and received thunderous applause when offering targeted advice to graduates to “fight, fight, fight and you win, win, win” . Interspersing motivational guidance—such as exhortations to “find your limits and smash through everything”—with pointed political rhetoric on immigration, transgender athletes, tariffs, and election integrity, Trump’s 56-minute address was both a pep talk and a campaign-style rally in a deep-red state . The event, organized as a special affair separate from the formal graduation ceremonies, drew enthusiastic support among conservative students but also sparked protests by more than 500 demonstrators, including speakers like Beto O’Rourke and former Senator Doug Jones, reflecting the divisive nature of his public appearances .

Event Context and Overview

President Trump’s appearance at Alabama was classified by the university as a “special event” rather than the official commencement, with attendance entirely voluntary and governed by strict conduct rules—no signs, heckling, or demonstrations inside the Coliseum . The timing coincided with celebrations of his first 100 days back in office, underscored by the recent shakeup in his national security team, notably the departure of Mike Waltz as National Security Adviser . Introduced by legendary former coach Nick Saban, Trump took the stage on a night before the formal ceremonies (May 2–4), highlighting that this was the first time in 18 years the University had hosted an external commencement speaker .

Local Culture and Nick Saban’s Introduction

Before Trump’s remarks, Nick Saban playfully likened himself to an opening act for the Rolling Stones, recounting humorous Oval Office anecdotes that endeared him to the crowd . Seizing the moment, Trump responded with “Roll Tide,” an homage to Alabama’s storied football tradition, immediately electrifying the audience with a sense of shared identity .

Motivational Mantras and Advice

Central to Trump’s message were simple, repetitive mantras designed to resonate: “fight, fight, fight and you win, win, win” served as his rallying cry for graduates to approach life with unyielding determination . He urged students to “find your limits and smash through everything,” invoking early successes of icons like Steve Jobs and Walt Disney to illustrate that achievements often begin in youth . Echoing a common theme of self-reliance, he warned against adopting a “victim” mindset, declaring, “In America, we reject that idea that anyone is born a victim…Our heroes are the ones who take charge of their own destiny” .

Political Rhetoric and Policy Stances

While offering life advice, Trump seamlessly wove in his policy agenda: he touted his administration’s immigration restrictions and tariff policies as proofs of his economic leadership, forecasting that recent tariffs would ultimately benefit American consumers . He reaffirmed his February executive order barring transgender athletes from women’s sports, mocking a hypothetical transgender weightlifter and vowing to “keep men out of women’s athletics” . Defending what he termed “common-sense policies,” he reiterated the disproven claim that the 2020 election was “rigged,” and criticized federal judges who he said were “interfering” with his directives on immigration . Additionally, Trump highlighted his relationships with tech magnates—mentioning Elon Musk, Tim Cook, and Sam Altman—as evidence of business support for his leadership .

Reactions and Protests

Outside Coleman Coliseum, College Democrats organized a counter-rally attended by over 500 protesters, featuring speeches by Beto O’Rourke and former Senator Doug Jones who decried Trump’s campus presence and warned of his administration’s threats to academic freedom and democratic norms . On campus, critics including the Alabama NAACP and concerned students condemned the event as politicized, questioning the university’s judgment in hosting a sitting president known for divisive rhetoric .

Significance and Aftermath

Trump’s Alabama address underscores his strategy of blending motivational outreach with campaign-style messaging, reinforcing his base in deep-red states as he approaches his midterm agenda and other speaking engagements, such as an upcoming address at West Point . The timing—celebrating the first 100 days of his second term—signals his intent to frame his presidency as an era of renewal and resilience, leveraging high-profile platforms outside traditional political arenas .

Conclusion

In an era where commencement speeches often emphasize unity and inclusion, Trump’s address at the University of Alabama was unabashedly combative, urging graduates to adopt a warrior ethos while championing policies that have polarized the nation. For the Class of 2025, the speech will likely remain a defining moment—a fusion of local pride, pop-psychology, and political theater that epitomizes the fighting spirit Trump sought to instill: “you fight, fight, fight and you win, win, win.”