At the recent Navy anniversary celebration on October 5, 2025, hosted at Naval Station Norfolk, Donald Trump hailed what he termed 250 years of America’s “maritime dominance.”
The ceremony, aptly named America’s Navy 250: Titans of the Sea — A Salute to the Fleet, commenced with the stirring anthem, “I’m Proud to Be an American,” as Trump appeared on stage adorned in his signature red “USA” cap. Delivering a 45-minute address aboard the USS Harry S. Truman and later on the USS George H.W. Bush, he stood before a crowd comprising thousands of sailors, veterans, and military families.
Trump extolled U.S. sailors for their unwavering dedication, asserting that the United States would maintain its unparalleled supremacy at sea. “Every tyrant and adversary on the planet knows their choice is very simple,” he proclaimed. “Leave America in peace or face destruction on a scale never witnessed before.” He emphasized that America’s enemies “tremble at the sight of a Navy ship,” reinforcing his belief that U.S. naval power is fundamental to national strength and deterrence.
Amidst a government shutdown, Trump assured service members they would receive “every last penny” of compensation, promising comprehensive pay increases once the stalemate concluded. Joined by First Lady Melania Trump and Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, he reiterated his commitment to a $1 trillion military investment plan aimed at enhancing shipbuilding, revitalizing shipyards, and bolstering national defense. His declaration that America would once again manufacture ships “on American soil” elicited enthusiastic applause.
In a bold move, Trump vowed to purge “wokeness” from the military, instructing Hegseth to reinstate a “warrior culture” by eliminating DEI initiatives and identity-based policies within the armed forces. In agreement, Hegseth contended that the Navy’s strength is rooted in “unity of purpose, not diversity.”
Secretary of the Navy John Phelan echoed this theme, asserting that sea power is the hallmark of superpower status, with the United States continuing to project “deadly precision, raw power, and the will to use it.”
Reflecting on the Navy’s legacy of loyalty and commitment, Trump recounted its humble beginnings with just two ships authorized by the Continental Congress in 1775 and how it grew into the world’s mightiest maritime force. He reminded attendees that when the nascent fleet first engaged the British Empire, many doubted its success, yet “they failed to recognize the audacity and grit of the American sailor.”
Quoting Captain John Paul Jones as the father of the Navy, Trump reminisced about Jones’s famous declaration, “I have not yet begun to fight,” before overcoming a much stronger British ship—an anecdote he insisted still encapsulates the Navy’s indomitable fighting spirit.
Shifting focus to contemporary achievements, Trump celebrated what he labeled an “incredible rebound” in military recruitment, pointing out that 2025 marked the Navy’s highest recruitment year on record. “We have a waiting list for every branch now,” he stated, somewhat humorously including police and firemen in the mix. Reflecting on recruitment struggles under Biden, he remarked, “Nobody wanted to be a policeman. Now they want to be a policeman.”
He further noted that there’s keen interest in all military branches, including the Space Force, to which he added with a touch of pride, “I love Space Force because I created Space Force. That was my thing. And it’s going to turn out to be one of the most important.”
“But one year ago, our country was dead. And today we have the hottest country anywhere in the world by far,” the president declared. “Now, you have a different problem. You know what the problem is? Everybody wants your job,” he joked, before promptly reassuring the sailors, “But nobody’s going to take your job. You were with us when it was not as nice. Those are the people I like the best, too—the ones who stood by me when things weren’t looking so bright.”
In conclusion, Trump asserted, “With your help, we will fight, fight, fight. We will win, win, win. Because of you, our Navy and our country will always be proud, righteous, mighty, and free.”
“Congratulations once again on 250 years of total dominance.”
Sail fast. Stay strong. Thank you. God bless our sailors, and God bless the United States of America.”
