Trump says he might 'upset' Melania with his mimicry of trans athletes during Alabama commencement speech
TUSCALOOSA, ALABAMA: President Donald Trump delivered a mocking impression of a transgender weightlifter during his commencement address at the University of Alabama on Thursday, May 1,
Speaking to more than 6,000 graduates and their families in Tuscaloosa, the 78-year-old interrupted his remarks with an impression he admitted might not sit well with first lady Melania Trump.
Trump imitates weightlifter as mocks 'transitioned guy-gal' busting records pic.twitter.com/ue4Km0g847
— RT (@RT_com) May 2, 2025
Donald Trump mocks trans athletes during University of Alabama commencement speech
“You ever see the weightlifting where they have a record that wasn’t broken in 18 years?” Donald Trump asked the audience, before mimicking what he described as the stark difference in strength between cisgender and transgender athletes. “Should I imitate it?” he teased, prompting loud applause.
He laughed and admitted, “You know, my wife gets very upset when I do this. She said, 'Darling, it's not presidential.' I said, 'Yeah but people like it!'”
Trump turned to the crowd of students and faculty with a grin and asked, “Should I do it or not?” The audience erupted in cheers. With a chuckle, he added, “I'm in trouble when I get home, but that's okay, what the hell, I've been in lots of trouble before.”
He went ahead, grunting and miming the act of lifting weights to laughter and cheers, reported the Daily Mail.
The commander-in-chief used the platform to reiterate his opposition to transgender athletes competing in women’s sports.
Donald Trump offers words of wisdom to University of Alabama graduates
“YOU’RE THE FIRST GRADUATING CLASS OF THE GOLDEN AGE OF AMERICA. WE’RE IN THE GOLDEN AGE!” - @POTUS pic.twitter.com/KjvjcIwhe0
— Real America's Voice (RAV) (@RealAmVoice) May 2, 2025
The Republican’s fiery address was classic Trump. “You´re the first graduating class of the golden age of America,” the president said, addressing the crowd.
He didn’t waste time shifting into campaign mode, claiming the country had been “ripped off” before his presidency and painting the last four years when he was out of office as a rough patch for America.
“But don’t let that scare you,” he reassured the audience. “It was an aberration.”
Trump shared ten personal takeaways he said had guided him through life, such as “Think of yourself as a winner,” “Be an original” and “Never, ever give up.” He encouraged the graduates by saying success doesn’t wait for age, recalling how he landed his first hotel project while still in his twenties.
“Now is the time to work harder than you’ve ever worked before,” he said. “Find your limits and then smash through everything.”
Check out his full speech below:
