President Donald Trump delivered a historic speech as part of commencement weekend at the University of Alabama on Thursday.He offered some advice for graduating students in a speech mixed with political content from his first 100 days, including transgender weightlifters, inflation and attacks on Democrats.Alabama, a deep-red state, has backed Trump in all three of his presidential runs. He noted that he has always felt at home in the state and connects with Alabamians.The crowd cheered and loved hearing Nick Saban's advice as he introduced Trump.Watch Nick Saban introduce Trump below.鈥淵ou鈥檙e the first graduating class of the golden age of America,鈥� Trump said to graduates.The president of the University of Alabama, Stuart Bell, told graduates before Trump took the stage that Thursday night鈥檚 event was all about them.鈥淭his special ceremony offers a meaningful opportunity for you, for I, to reflect on the important connection between academic inquiry, civic leadership, and public service,鈥� Bell said.Trump mostly went in a different direction. He spoke about how he loved the campus and the reputation of the school and its teams."For the University of Alabama, good isn't good enough; tough isn't tough enough; and great isn't great enough," Trump said.He added, "The University of Alabama has a brand. And that brand is winning."He quickly topics to transgender athletes, doing an impression of a female weightlifter competing. He also spoke about tariffs and inflation, stating cost of living and groceries have gone down during his first 100 days.He mentioned his administration's immigration policy in his speech, which the university had been impacted by. Graduate student Alireza Doroudi was detained by ICE, which is part of why students protested Trump's speech on Thursday.Video shows ICE detaining University of Alabama student outside Tuscaloosa apartment. Trump then offered 10 pieces of advice drawn from his life and career. He shared some of the biggest lessons that he has learned.You're not too young to do something great. Find your limits and then smash through them.Love what you do.Think big.Work hard.Don't lose your momentum.Think of yourself as a winner.鈥淣ow is the time to work harder than you鈥檝e ever worked before,鈥� Trump said. 鈥淔ind your limits and then smash through everything.鈥漈rump stated that all of the commencement ceremonies were being combined, but his speech was an optional event for graduating students and their families ahead of the graduation ceremonies on Friday. Watch Trump arrive in Tuscaloosa below.Ahead of the speech, people gathered with signs such as "We are not OKAY" and "Revolution will be televised."Former U.S. Representative Beto O'Rourke, D-Texas, was a speaker at one of the protests. He told 米兰体育 13 Reporter Jarvis Robertson that it is important for democrats to go to more than just battleground places.鈥淲hat gets me is they鈥檙e not waiting for a politician or an elected leader to tell them what to do, they鈥檙e taking the future in their own hands right now; and that鈥檚 exactly the leadership we need to overcome Donald Trump," O'Rourke said. Other students thought it was incredible to have a president on their campus during their time at UA.Sophie Best, who is graduating with a communications degree, said, 鈥淚 don鈥檛 think that we could have had a greater person come to speak.鈥漈ake a look at time-stamped updates from 米兰体育 13 team coverage below on Thursday, May 1.10:30 P.M. - 10 P.M. - Learn about the response from graduates after the speech in the video player above. 米兰体育 13 has team coverage from Tuscaloosa.7:30 P.M. - President Donald Trump is giving his historic speech. He congratulated the students and their families - and spoke about how wonderful the University of Alabama is for athletics and education.Watch him talk about Alabama in the video player below.He also spoke about his first 100 days, including inflation and immigration.[/iframe]"For the University of Alabama, good isn't good enough; tough isn't tough enough; and great isn't great enough," Trump said.He added, "The University of Alabama has a brand. And that brand is winning." He shared some of the biggest lessons that he has learned.You're not too young to do something great. Find your limits and then smash through them.Love what you do. Think big.Work hard.Don't lose your momentum.Think of yourself as a winner.Trump said he has always felt a connection with Alabamians and touched on the history of the state. 7:20 P.M. -Nick Saban is speaking. Saban said it is important to define your goals. But more importantly, you need to define the process on how to get there.Watch his speech in the video player below.7 P.M. - Trump arrives at the University of Alabama.6 P.M. - Speakers are beginning to talk at Coleman Coliseum.6 P.M. - President Donald Trump is arriving at Tuscaloosa. 6 P.M. - Watch 米兰体育 13 team coverage from Tuscaloosa.5 P.M. - People are gathering at several protests around the University of Alabama against President Donald Trump's speech on Thursday.Some of the signs at the protests included sayings such as, "We are not OKAY," and "Revolution will be televised."4 P.M. - U.S. Rep. Terri Sewell, D-Ala., posted on social media that she wishes she could be a part of the protests against Trump.4 P.M. - 4 P.M. -Air Force One is preparing to bring President Trump to Tuscaloosa National Airport.4 P.M. -Ahead of speaking at one of the protests, O'Rourke told 米兰体育 13 Reporter Jarvis Robertson that it is important for democrats to go to more than just battleground places.鈥淲hat gets me is they鈥檙e not waiting for a politician or an elected leader to tell them what to do, they鈥檙e taking the future in their own hands right now; and that鈥檚 exactly the leadership we need to overcome Donald Trump," O'Rourke said.4 P.M. - 3:30 P.M. - Graduates are usually able to park in spaces outside of Coleman Coliseum, but the roads are blocked off and people have to park more than half a mile away and take a shuttle.Secret service has been all over the university throughout the week, and the entire bottom floor of Capstone Parking Deck is full of police vehicles.Students told 米兰体育 13 Reporter Zoe Blair that while the extra security is a hassle, they are excited to hear a sitting president speak."You kind of expect that, especially with what President Trump himself has been through, you know, two assassination attempts," said graduate student Emma Broadfoot. "You gotta be careful, but he came here in the fall for a football game so we're kind of used to this kind of hectic environment with security and all that measure so you just kind of expect it."2 P.M. - The University of Alabama is preparing for President Trump's speech.11:45 A.M. - President Trump's schedule for his time in Tuscaloosa includes:4:20 p.m. CDT - leave Joint Base Andrews for Tuscaloosa National Airport6:15 p.m. CDT - arrive at Tuscaloosa National Airport6:25 p.m. CDT - leave for Coleman Coliseum6:35 p.m. CDT - arrive at Coleman Coliseum 7 p.m. CDT - deliver remarks at the University of Alabama Commencement7:55 p.m. CDT - leave Coleman Coliseum8:05 p.m. CDT - arrive at Tuscaloosa National Airport8:15 p.m. CDT - leave Tuscaloosa National Airport for Palm Beach International Airport BACKGROUNDSecurity detailsAttendees are encouraged to arrive at least two hours early because of security measures. Doors to the Coliseum will open at 3 p.m.Everyone attending the event will have to follow Alabama's clear bag policy. There are additional prohibited items, which are listed below. Historical speechThis marks the first time a sitting president will deliver a graduation speech at the University of Alabama, according to Sen. Katie Britt, R-Ala. Britt called the event a "milestone weekend" and said it would be memorable for graduates and their families.This will be Trump's third visit to the University of Alabama. He previously attended high-profile football games, including last season's game against Georgia, where he was seen waving to the crowd at Bryant-Denny Stadium.Tuscaloosa Mayor Walt Maddox has been there for the first two visits by the president and said that, at this point, they have a good handle on what it takes to get ready for a visit from the leader of the free world.Maddox said he has no idea what the president will talk about during his appearance, but he knows what he'd like to hear.Protests on campusWhile some students expressed excitement about having a president at their graduation, others voiced concerns. A petition, called "Tide Against Tyranny: Say No to Trump at Graduation," has more than 25,000 signatures."As students and alumni of the University of Alabama, we respectfully express our strong opposition to President Donald Trump being selected as the speaker for the 2025 Commencement Ceremony," the first line of the petition states.There are three planned protests on Thursday.National Day of Action1701 McFarland Blvd. E2-7 p.m. CDT "Donald Trump has chosen to insert himself into this years UA's graduating class," the protest flier said. "They didn't ask for this. How dare he? On International Workers Day, in Tuscaloosa, AL we will be mobilizing to the Coleman Coliseum to finally tell him how we really feel! You are not welcome here!"May Day Strong618 21st Ave4-7 p.m. CDTTide Against TrumpSnow Hinton Park4-8 p.m. CDTThe University of Alabama Democrats announced plans to protest the event, citing grievances with the Trump administration.Beto O'Rourke, former U.S. Representative for Texas, is speaking at one of the protests."Overcoming Donald Trump鈥檚 dangerous attacks on our fellow Americans demands that we organize everywhere, including in communities that are too often written off or taken for granted," O'Rourke said. "While Trump is coming to Alabama to divide and demean, we are bringing people together to fight for our neighbors, our freedoms, our democracy, and our future. We invite Americans of all backgrounds to join us in uniting and proving that the power of people is bigger than the power of any president." Video below: University of Alabama College Democrats, Republicans react to President Trump's visit "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."Alireza Doroudi, a mechanical engineering doctoral student from Iran, is being held in the Jena/LaSalle Detention Facility in Louisiana. ICE detained him in March from his off-campus house because he "posed significant national security concerns," according to a Department of Homeland Security statement."What鈥檚 most troubling is that the burden of proof has effectively been placed on Mr. Doroudi to disprove a threat that was never substantiated in the first place," said Doroudi's attorney, David Roza, in a statement. "Our legal system is not built on proving a negative, and yet that鈥檚 exactly what is being asked of us. According to ICE鈥檚 own database, Mr. Doroudi鈥檚 student visa appears to be valid, making his continued detention all the more concerning."Doroudi was denied bond on April 17. His legal team plans to appeal the decision.>> Video shows ICE detaining University of Alabama student outside Tuscaloosa apartmentICE arrests under the Trump administrationWhen Trump took office, he began issuing a record number of executive orders, with many centering on the nation's immigration and border enforcement policies.These orders range from the ending of birthright citizenship to expanded use of expedited removals. They also address people seeking refuge or asylum 鈥� with an order to end the U.S. refugee program and the halting of an app used by migrants to make appointments before arriving at the border. Another order focuses on the deployment of resources, specifically the military, to border enforcement. This article contains information from The Associated Press.PHNjcmlwdCB0eXBlPSJ0ZXh0L2phdmFzY3JpcHQiPiFmdW5jdGlvbigpeyJ1c2Ugc3RyaWN0Ijt3aW5kb3cuYWRkRXZlbnRMaXN0ZW5lcigibWVzc2FnZSIsKGZ1bmN0aW9uKGUpe2lmKHZvaWQgMCE9PWUuZGF0YVsiZGF0YXdyYXBwZXItaGVpZ2h0Il0pe3ZhciB0PWRvY3VtZW50LnF1ZXJ5U2VsZWN0b3JBbGwoImlmcmFtZSIpO2Zvcih2YXIgYSBpbiBlLmRhdGFbImRhdGF3cmFwcGVyLWhlaWdodCJdKWZvcih2YXIgcj0wO3I8dC5sZW5ndGg7cisrKXtpZih0W3JdLmNvbnRlbnRXaW5kb3c9PT1lLnNvdXJjZSl0W3JdLnN0eWxlLmhlaWdodD1lLmRhdGFbImRhdGF3cmFwcGVyLWhlaWdodCJdW2FdKyJweCJ9fX0pKX0oKTs8L3NjcmlwdD4=
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — President Donald Trump delivered a historic speech as part of commencement weekend at the University of Alabama on Thursday.
He offered some advice for graduating students in a speech mixed with political content from his first 100 days, including transgender weightlifters, inflation and attacks on Democrats.
Alabama, a deep-red state, has backed Trump in all three of his presidential runs. He noted that he has always felt at home in the state and connects with Alabamians.
The crowd cheered and loved hearing Nick Saban's advice as he introduced Trump.
Watch Nick Saban introduce Trump below.
鈥淵ou鈥檙e the first graduating class of the golden age of America,鈥� Trump said to graduates.
The president of the University of Alabama, Stuart Bell, told graduates before Trump took the stage that Thursday night鈥檚 event was all about them.
鈥淭his special ceremony offers a meaningful opportunity for you, for I, to reflect on the important connection between academic inquiry, civic leadership, and public service,鈥� Bell said.
Trump mostly went in a different direction. He spoke about how he loved the campus and the reputation of the school and its teams.
"For the University of Alabama, good isn't good enough; tough isn't tough enough; and great isn't great enough," Trump said.
He added, "The University of Alabama has a brand. And that brand is winning."
He quickly topics to transgender athletes, doing an impression of a female weightlifter competing. He also spoke about tariffs and inflation, stating cost of living and groceries have gone down during his first 100 days.
He mentioned his administration's immigration policy in his speech, which the university had been impacted by. Graduate student Alireza Doroudi was detained by ICE, which is part of why students protested Trump's speech on Thursday.
Video shows ICE detaining University of Alabama student outside Tuscaloosa apartment.
Trump then offered 10 pieces of advice drawn from his life and career. He shared some of the biggest lessons that he has learned.
- You're not too young to do something great. Find your limits and then smash through them.
- Love what you do.
- Think big.
- Work hard.
- Don't lose your momentum.
- Think of yourself as a winner.
鈥淣ow is the time to work harder than you鈥檝e ever worked before,鈥� Trump said. 鈥淔ind your limits and then smash through everything.鈥�
Trump stated that all of the commencement ceremonies were being combined, but his speech was an optional event for graduating students and their families ahead of the graduation ceremonies on Friday.
Watch Trump arrive in Tuscaloosa below.
Ahead of the speech, people gathered with signs such as "We are not OKAY" and "Revolution will be televised."
Former U.S. Representative Beto O'Rourke, D-Texas, was a speaker at one of the protests. He told 米兰体育 13 Reporter Jarvis Robertson that it is important for democrats to go to more than just battleground places.
鈥淲hat gets me is they鈥檙e not waiting for a politician or an elected leader to tell them what to do, they鈥檙e taking the future in their own hands right now; and that鈥檚 exactly the leadership we need to overcome Donald Trump," O'Rourke said.
Other students thought it was incredible to have a president on their campus during their time at UA.
Sophie Best, who is graduating with a communications degree, said, 鈥淚 don鈥檛 think that we could have had a greater person come to speak.鈥�
Take a look at time-stamped updates from 米兰体育 13 team coverage below on Thursday, May 1.
10:30 P.M. -
10 P.M. -
Learn about the response from graduates after the speech in the video player above.
米兰体育 13 has team coverage from Tuscaloosa.
7:30 P.M. -
President Donald Trump is giving his historic speech.
He congratulated the students and their families - and spoke about how wonderful the University of Alabama is for athletics and education.
Watch him talk about Alabama in the video player below.
He also spoke about his first 100 days, including inflation and immigration.
[/iframe]
"For the University of Alabama, good isn't good enough; tough isn't tough enough; and great isn't great enough," Trump said.
He added, "The University of Alabama has a brand. And that brand is winning."
He shared some of the biggest lessons that he has learned.
- You're not too young to do something great. Find your limits and then smash through them.
- Love what you do.
- Think big.
- Work hard.
- Don't lose your momentum.
- Think of yourself as a winner.
Trump said he has always felt a connection with Alabamians and touched on the history of the state.
7:20 P.M. -
Nick Saban is speaking.
Saban said it is important to define your goals. But more importantly, you need to define the process on how to get there.
Watch his speech in the video player below.
7 P.M. -
Trump arrives at the University of Alabama.
6 P.M. -
Speakers are beginning to talk at Coleman Coliseum.
6 P.M. -
President Donald Trump is arriving at Tuscaloosa.
6 P.M. -
Watch 米兰体育 13 team coverage from Tuscaloosa.
5 P.M. -
People are gathering at several protests around the University of Alabama against President Donald Trump's speech on Thursday.
Some of the signs at the protests included sayings such as, "We are not OKAY," and "Revolution will be televised."
This content is imported from Facebook.
You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.
4 P.M. -
U.S. Rep. Terri Sewell, D-Ala., posted on social media that she wishes she could be a part of the protests against Trump.
This content is imported from Facebook.
You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.
4 P.M. -
This content is imported from Facebook.
You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.
4 P.M. -
Air Force One is preparing to bring President Trump to Tuscaloosa National Airport.
4 P.M. -
Ahead of speaking at one of the protests, O'Rourke told 米兰体育 13 Reporter Jarvis Robertson that it is important for democrats to go to more than just battleground places.
鈥淲hat gets me is they鈥檙e not waiting for a politician or an elected leader to tell them what to do, they鈥檙e taking the future in their own hands right now; and that鈥檚 exactly the leadership we need to overcome Donald Trump," O'Rourke said.
4 P.M. -
3:30 P.M. -
Graduates are usually able to park in spaces outside of Coleman Coliseum, but the roads are blocked off and people have to park more than half a mile away and take a shuttle.
Secret service has been all over the university throughout the week, and the entire bottom floor of Capstone Parking Deck is full of police vehicles.
Students told 米兰体育 13 Reporter Zoe Blair that while the extra security is a hassle, they are excited to hear a sitting president speak.
"You kind of expect that, especially with what President Trump himself has been through, you know, two assassination attempts," said graduate student Emma Broadfoot. "You gotta be careful, but he came here in the fall for a football game so we're kind of used to this kind of hectic environment with security and all that measure so you just kind of expect it."
2 P.M. -
The University of Alabama is preparing for President Trump's speech.
11:45 A.M. -
President Trump's schedule for his time in Tuscaloosa includes:
- 4:20 p.m. CDT - leave Joint Base Andrews for Tuscaloosa National Airport
- 6:15 p.m. CDT - arrive at Tuscaloosa National Airport
- 6:25 p.m. CDT - leave for Coleman Coliseum
- 6:35 p.m. CDT - arrive at Coleman Coliseum
- 7 p.m. CDT - deliver remarks at the University of Alabama Commencement
- 7:55 p.m. CDT - leave Coleman Coliseum
- 8:05 p.m. CDT - arrive at Tuscaloosa National Airport
- 8:15 p.m. CDT - leave Tuscaloosa National Airport for Palm Beach International Airport
BACKGROUND
Security details
Attendees are encouraged to arrive at least two hours early because of security measures. Doors to the Coliseum will open at 3 p.m.
Everyone attending the event will have to follow . There are additional prohibited items, which are listed below.
Historical speech
This marks the first time a sitting president will deliver a graduation speech at the University of Alabama, according to Sen. Katie Britt, R-Ala. Britt called the event a "milestone weekend" and said it would be memorable for graduates and their families.
This will be Trump's third visit to the University of Alabama. He previously attended high-profile football games, including last season's game against Georgia, where he was seen waving to the crowd at Bryant-Denny Stadium.
Tuscaloosa Mayor Walt Maddox has been there for the first two visits by the president and said that, at this point, they have a good handle on what it takes to get ready for a visit from the leader of the free world.
Maddox said he has no idea what the president will talk about during his appearance, but he knows what he'd like to hear.
Protests on campus
While some students expressed excitement about having a president at their graduation, others voiced concerns.
, called "Tide Against Tyranny: Say No to Trump at Graduation," has more than 25,000 signatures.
"As students and alumni of the University of Alabama, we respectfully express our strong opposition to President Donald Trump being selected as the speaker for the 2025 Commencement Ceremony," the first line of the petition states.
There are three planned protests on Thursday.
National Day of Action
- 1701 McFarland Blvd. E
- 2-7 p.m. CDT
"Donald Trump has chosen to insert himself into this years UA's graduating class," the protest flier said. "They didn't ask for this. How dare he? On International Workers Day, in Tuscaloosa, AL we will be mobilizing to the Coleman Coliseum to finally tell him how we really feel! You are not welcome here!"
May Day Strong
Tide Against Trump
- Snow Hinton Park
- 4-8 p.m. CDT
The University of Alabama Democrats announced plans to protest the event, citing grievances with the Trump administration.
Beto O'Rourke, former U.S. Representative for Texas, is speaking at one of the protests.
"Overcoming Donald Trump鈥檚 dangerous attacks on our fellow Americans demands that we organize everywhere, including in communities that are too often written off or taken for granted," O'Rourke said. "While Trump is coming to Alabama to divide and demean, we are bringing people together to fight for our neighbors, our freedoms, our democracy, and our future. We invite Americans of all backgrounds to join us in uniting and proving that the power of people is bigger than the power of any president."
Video below: University of Alabama College Democrats, Republicans react to President Trump's visit
"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."
Alireza Doroudi, a mechanical engineering doctoral student from Iran, is being held in the . ICE detained him in March from his off-campus house because he "posed significant national security concerns," according to a Department of Homeland Security statement.
"What鈥檚 most troubling is that the burden of proof has effectively been placed on Mr. Doroudi to disprove a threat that was never substantiated in the first place," said Doroudi's attorney, David Roza, in a statement. "Our legal system is not built on proving a negative, and yet that鈥檚 exactly what is being asked of us. According to ICE鈥檚 own database, Mr. Doroudi鈥檚 student visa appears to be valid, making his continued detention all the more concerning."
Doroudi was denied bond on April 17. His legal team plans to appeal the decision.
>> Video shows ICE detaining University of Alabama student outside Tuscaloosa apartment
ICE arrests under the Trump administration
When Trump took office, he began issuing a record number of executive orders, with many centering on the nation's immigration and border enforcement policies.
These orders range from the ending of birthright citizenship to expanded use of expedited removals. They also address people seeking refuge or asylum 鈥� with an order to end the U.S. refugee program and the halting of an app used by migrants to make appointments before arriving at the border. Another order focuses on the deployment of resources, , to border enforcement.
This article contains information from The Associated Press.
