President Donald Trump announces he will be keynote speaker at University of Alabama graduation
President Donald Trump is coming to Alabama on May 1.
He announced on Truth Social late Monday night that he will be the keynote speaker at the University of Alabama's 2025 graduation.
"I have agreed to do the Commencement Address at two really GREAT places, the University of Alabama and, WEST POINT," the post stated. "Stay tuned for times and dates!!! DJT"
The university's commencement is the weekend of May 2. He will speak at a separate address on Thursday, May 1, ahead of the individual college commencements.
The speech will be a ticketed event at Coleman Coliseum available to all 2025 graduates in addition to their college-specific ceremonies.
On Wednesday, the university announced that tickets will be free for spring graduates and are non-transferable. Only people who are given tickets will be able to go to the closed event. Ticket information will be sent directly to graduates.
"We look forward to celebrating our graduates throughout commencement weekend as we confer degrees to thousands of hardworking students who will go on to make a positive impact in the workforce and in communities across Alabama, our nation and the world," the university said in a statement.
This is the third time that Trump will visit UA, he has attended high-profile football games twice before, including last season's game against Georgia.
Watch Trump wave to the crowd from Bryant-Denny Stadium below.
Making history
This is the first time a sitting president will deliver a keynote address at the University of Alabama, according to Sen. Katie Britt.
鈥淧resident Trump will make this milestone weekend in Tuscaloosa even more memorable for graduates and their families. Alabamians across our great state look forward to welcoming the 47th President to campus as we celebrate the hard work and accomplishments of the Class of 2025," Britt said in a statement.
Some students on campus said that they were excited that a president will be a part of their graduation.
Protests planned
University of Alabama Democrats are in response to the speech announcement.
"The Trump administration kidnapped one of our Ph.D. students for no reason a few weeks ago and is holding him without bond at an ICE black site in Louisiana," UA Democrats said in a statement. "There is no greater insult than this."
The statement posted on social media said that the group will have more updates and "this insult will not go unanswered."
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