President Trump returned to the U.S. Coast Guard Academy in New London, Connecticut, for his second commencement address as commander in chief, claiming incorrectly that he was the first president to speak twice at the institution. Bill Clinton, George W. Bush, and Barack Obama had previously delivered two commencement addresses each at the academy, though Trump's speech Wednesday differed significantly in presidential context.

The address mirrored his 2017 remarks with identical phrases like "fight, fight, fight," while shifting focus to the ongoing Iran conflict. Trump claimed Iranian military capabilities were "gone" and questioned whether the U.S. would "finish it up" or accept a surrender document, despite evidence Iran had restored access to most missile sites near the Strait of Hormuz.

His comments on cadets' appearance drew more enthusiastic response than political remarks. "I hate good-looking men," Trump joked before examining muscular cadets, contrasting with the cool reception his war rhetoric received. The speech concluded with a promise to potentially return for a third address, maintaining what he called "that record intact."