Trump hails US military as ‘best led and equipped’ under his command at Fort Bragg
FORT BRAGG, NORTH CAROLINA: President Donald Trump energized troops at Fort Bragg on Friday, February 13, declaring that the United States military has become the “best led” and “best equipped” force in the world under his leadership.
Speaking to service members assigned to the 18th Airborne Corps near Pope Army Airfield, Trump delivered a roughly 30-minute speech highlighting discipline, readiness, and pride in uniform. First Lady Melania Trump opened the event with brief Valentine’s Day remarks before introducing the president, who walked onstage to ‘God Bless America.’
🚨 WOW! President Trump just FIRED UP the troops, dropping straight fire at Fort Bragg
— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) February 13, 2026
“As long as I'm president, we will be the best LED, the best TRAINED, the best EQUIPPED, the most DISCIPLINED, and the most ELITE fighting force the world has ever seen!" 🇺🇸
"That's what… pic.twitter.com/DdmZnDLyff
Trump hails US military as most elite force globally
Trump praised the armed forces, telling the crowd, “As long as I'm president, we will be the best LED, the best TRAINED, the best EQUIPPED, the most DISCIPLINED, and the most ELITE fighting force the world has ever seen!” He emphasized, “That's what we've turned out to be and everybody knows it.”
The president noted that America’s military strength is now recognized worldwide, citing the perceived impact of the Venezuelan raid. While he did not share operational details, he stressed that global perception of US power has shifted. Troops listened attentively, nodding during discussions of training, readiness, and the importance of discipline.
Military enlistment surges since Trump’s return to office
Trump highlighted a sharp rise in enlistments since November, saying, “From November 5th on, it was like a miracle. Now we have waiting lists for every branch of the military… your jobs are wanted by everybody. And isn't that a better feeling?” His remarks drew applause from the gathered personnel, reflecting renewed enthusiasm for service.
Fort Bragg name restoration underscores military tradition
The president acknowledged the restoration of the Fort Bragg name, calling it a meaningful gesture honoring military history. He briefly referenced the economic climate and even Melania Trump’s latest film project, ‘Melania,’ eliciting laughter from the crowd before refocusing on national defense.
Trump concluded by thanking service members for their dedication and reaffirmed that serving as commander-in-chief remains one of the greatest honors of his life, reiterating his strong support for the US armed forces.
