WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump will deliver a commencement address at the University of Alabama next month.
He made the announcement in a Truth Social post Monday night. Trump will speak at a ceremony on May 1 at Coleman Coliseum, according to a university statement. The ceremony will be open to all 2025 graduates. The university’s college-specific commencement ceremonies will take place May 2-4. The president will also deliver the commencement address at West Point.
Trump called UA a “really GREAT” place. He most recently visited Tuscaloosa in the fall for the Alabama-Georgia game. U.S. Sens. Katie Britt and Tommy Tuberville attended the game with him.
The university said “campus logistics and security measures are being carefully coordinated” ahead of the ceremony.
Alabama’s Republican lawmakers expressed their excitement for Trump’s next visit to the state. Britt, a UA alum, said she was “thrilled.”
“It is a tremendous honor for the university and for this year’s graduating class to welcome a sitting president to campus—a first in the nearly 200-year history of the University of Alabama,” Britt said in a statement.” “As an alumna, I am especially proud to see my alma mater chosen for such a historic occasion.”
Britt said Alabamians “look forward to welcoming the 47th President to campus” to celebrate the university’s graduates.
Rep. Gary Palmer, R-Birmingham, another UA alum, also posted his praise for the upcoming visit.
“I’m looking forward to welcoming President Trump back to our state and am thrilled for the students and families that get to witness this historic occasion,” Palmer said in a post on X. “Roll Tide!”
U.S. Rep. Robert Aderholt, R-Haleyville, said it was an honor to have Trump visit Alabama, “especially to celebrate the achievements of our next generation of leaders at their graduation.”
Rep. Barry Moore, R-Enterprise, chimed in with his response. In a post on X, Moore called Trump’s upcoming speech a “once in a lifetime occasion” for those attending the ceremony.
Gov. Kay Ivey also thanked Trump for giving UA students the opportunity to hear from him. She called it a “historic occasion.”