President Donald Trump speaks during the commencement ceremony for the 61st graduating class at the U.S. Air Force Academy Thursday, May 30, 2019, at Falcon Stadium. (The Gazette, Christian Murdock)
President Donald Trump speaks during the commencement ceremony for the 61st graduating class at the U.S. Air Force Academy Thursday, May 30, 2019, at Falcon Stadium. (The Gazette, Christian Murdock)
If nothing else, President Donald Trump broke the mold on Thursday. With a mix a humor and saber-rattling, accompanied by a Trumpian dash of adjectives and a bit of bravado, Trump saw off the Academy’s class of 2019, with a speech that was decidedly conventional for the famously off-the-cuff president.
"To dominate the future, America must rule the skies. And that is what your time at this great Academy has been all about," he said. ""You truly make America proud."
Trump steered clear of his troubles with Robert Mueller, Iran, Democrats, immigration and a hit-parade of issues and only took a single swipe at a phalanx of press who piled in Falcon Stadium for the address. The president also paused his remarks twice to invite cadets to the stage for a presidential pat on the back before wrapping up with a marathon of 1,000 handshakes and hugs doled out to the graduates.
“I’m shaking all 1,000, OK?” Trump told the crowd to cheers.
The crowd lavished applause on Trump, and more than a few shouted “four more years.” The crowd of more than 30,000 was wild for Trump despite a long wait.
The president arrived in Colorado Springs nearly an hour behind schedule, but paused at the Peterson Air Force Base to greet Mayor John Suthers before taking time to shake hands with Jack Plylar, an Elbert County World War II veteran who was one of his first Colorado supporters for the presidency.
President Donald Trump is greeted by Mayor John Suthers at Peterson AFB and was greeted by a cheering crowd and local dignitaries. (Photo by Jerilee Bennett, The Gazette)
President Donald J. Trump salutes as he walks past a row of cadets while entering the Air Force Academy graduation. The Air Force Academy held their graduation ceremony on Thursday, May 30, 2019. President Donald J. Trump was the commencement speaker. (Photo by Jerilee Bennett, The Gazette)
Secretary of the Air Force, Heather Wilson takes the field for the last time at the Air Force Academy graduation on Thursday, May 30, 2019. (Photo by Jerilee Bennett, The Gazette)
Gen. David Goldfein, chief of staff of the Air Force, spent time chatting with President Donald Trump at the Air Force Academy graduation on Thursday, May 30, 2019. (Photo by Jerilee Bennett, The Gazette)
President Donald Trump speaks during the commencement ceremony for the 61st graduating class at the U.S. Air Force Academy Thursday, May 30, 2019, at Falcon Stadium. (The Gazette, Christian Murdock)
Air Force cadet Parker Hammond got called up out of the cadets to the stage by President Donald J. Trump. Hammond battled cancer and was still able to graduate at the Air Force Academy. The Air Force Academy held their graduation ceremony on Thursday, May 30, 2019. President Donald J. Trump was the commencement speaker. (Photo by Jerilee Bennett, The Gazette)
The Air Force Academy held their graduation ceremony on Thursday, May 30, 2019. President Donald J. Trump was the commencement speaker. (Photo by Jerilee Bennett, The Gazette)
The Air Force Academy held their graduation ceremony on Thursday, May 30, 2019. President Donald J. Trump was the commencement speaker. (Photo by Jerilee Bennett, The Gazette)
Colin Zavislak and Hunter Ahlquist react after the hat toss of the Air Force Academy graduation. The Air Force Academy held their graduation ceremony on Thursday, May 30, 2019. President Donald J. Trump was the commencement speaker. (Photo by Jerilee Bennett, The Gazette)
Gen. David Goldfein, chief of staff of the Air Force, and President Donald Trump at the Air Force Academy graduation on Thursday, May 30, 2019. (Photo by Jerilee Bennett, The Gazette)
The Air Force Academy held their graduation ceremony on Thursday, May 30, 2019. President Donald J. Trump was the commencement speaker. (Photo by Jerilee Bennett, The Gazette)
The Air Force Academy held their graduation ceremony on Thursday, May 30, 2019. President Donald J. Trump was the commencement speaker. (Photo by Jerilee Bennett, The Gazette)
The Air Force Academy held their graduation ceremony on Thursday, May 30, 2019. President Donald J. Trump was the commencement speaker. (Photo by Jerilee Bennett, The Gazette)
The Air Force Academy held their graduation ceremony on Thursday, May 30, 2019. President Donald J. Trump was the commencement speaker. (Photo by Jerilee Bennett, The Gazette)
The Air Force Academy held their graduation ceremony on Thursday, May 30, 2019. President Donald J. Trump was the commencement speaker. (Photo by Jerilee Bennett, The Gazette)
The Air Force Academy held their graduation ceremony on Thursday, May 30, 2019. President Donald J. Trump was the commencement speaker. (Photo by Jerilee Bennett, The Gazette)
The Air Force Academy held their graduation ceremony on Thursday, May 30, 2019. President Donald J. Trump was the commencement speaker. (Photo by Jerilee Bennett, The Gazette)
The Air Force Academy held their graduation ceremony on Thursday, May 30, 2019. President Donald J. Trump was the commencement speaker. (Photo by Jerilee Bennett, The Gazette)
The Air Force Academy held their graduation ceremony on Thursday, May 30, 2019. President Donald J. Trump was the commencement speaker. (Photo by Jerilee Bennett, The Gazette)
The Air Force Academy held their graduation ceremony on Thursday, May 30, 2019. President Donald J. Trump was the commencement speaker. (Photo by Jerilee Bennett, The Gazette)
The Air Force Academy held their graduation ceremony on Thursday, May 30, 2019. President Donald J. Trump was the commencement speaker. (Photo by Jerilee Bennett, The Gazette)
The Air Force Academy held their graduation ceremony on Thursday, May 30, 2019. President Donald J. Trump was the commencement speaker. (Photo by Jerilee Bennett, The Gazette)
The Air Force Academy held their graduation ceremony on Thursday, May 30, 2019. President Donald J. Trump was the commencement speaker. (Photo by Jerilee Bennett, The Gazette)
The Air Force Academy held their graduation ceremony on Thursday, May 30, 2019. President Donald J. Trump was the commencement speaker. (Photo by Jerilee Bennett, The Gazette)
The Air Force Academy held their graduation ceremony on Thursday, May 30, 2019. President Donald J. Trump was the commencement speaker. (Photo by Jerilee Bennett, The Gazette)
The Air Force Academy held their graduation ceremony on Thursday, May 30, 2019. President Donald J. Trump was the commencement speaker. (Photo by Jerilee Bennett, The Gazette)
The Air Force Academy held their graduation ceremony on Thursday, May 30, 2019. President Donald J. Trump was the commencement speaker. (Photo by Jerilee Bennett, The Gazette)
The Air Force Academy held their graduation ceremony on Thursday, May 30, 2019. President Donald J. Trump was the commencement speaker. (Photo by Jerilee Bennett, The Gazette)
A spectator uses a program to shield himself from the bright sun before the start of the commencement ceremony for the 61st graduating class at the U.S. Air Force Academy Thursday, May 30, 2019, at Falcon Stadium. (The Gazette, Christian Murdock)
President Donald Trump speaks during the commencement ceremony for the 61st graduating class at the U.S. Air Force Academy Thursday, May 30, 2019, at Falcon Stadium. (The Gazette, Christian Murdock)
Cadets apply a thick amount of sunscreen before the commencement ceremony for the 61st graduating class at the U.S. Air Force Academy Thursday, May 30, 2019, at Falcon Stadium. (The Gazette, Christian Murdock)
President Donald Trump walks into the stadium at the start of the commencement ceremony for the 61st graduating class at the U.S. Air Force Academy Thursday, May 30, 2019, at Falcon Stadium. (The Gazette, Christian Murdock)
President Donald Trump and Gen. David L. Goldfein, chief of staff of the Air Force, watch as the cadets march into the stadium for the commencement ceremony for the 61st graduating class at the U.S. Air Force Academy Thursday, May 30, 2019, at Falcon Stadium. (The Gazette, Christian Murdock)
The Secretary of the Air Force Heather A. Wilson speaks during the commencement ceremony for the 61st graduating class at the U.S. Air Force Academy Thursday, May 30, 2019, at Falcon Stadium. (The Gazette, Christian Murdock)
President Donald Trump speaks during the commencement ceremony for the 61st graduating class at the U.S. Air Force Academy Thursday, May 30, 2019, at Falcon Stadium. (The Gazette, Christian Murdock)
President Donald Trump speaks during the commencement ceremony for the 61st graduating class at the U.S. Air Force Academy Thursday, May 30, 2019, at Falcon Stadium. (The Gazette, Christian Murdock)
A cadet returns to his seat after receiving his diploma during the commencement ceremony for the 61st graduating class at the U.S. Air Force Academy Thursday, May 30, 2019, at Falcon Stadium. (The Gazette, Christian Murdock)
The United States Air Force Thunderbirds fly over the crowd in the east stands during a aerial demonstration after the commencement ceremony for the 61st graduating class at the U.S. Air Force Academy Thursday, May 30, 2019, at Falcon Stadium. (The Gazette, Christian Murdock)
The United States Air Force Thunderbirds fly over the crowd in the east stands during an aerial demonstration after the commencement ceremony for the 61st graduating class at the U.S. Air Force Academy Thursday, May 30, 2019, at Falcon Stadium. (The Gazette, Christian Murdock)
Children wait at the edge of the field for the hat toss and the chance to grab a cap at the close of the commencement ceremony for the 61st graduating class at the U.S. Air Force Academy Thursday, May 30, 2019, at Falcon Stadium. (The Gazette, Christian Murdock)
Cadets celebrates after receiving their diplomas during the commencement ceremony for the 61st graduating class at the U.S. Air Force Academy Thursday, May 30, 2019, at Falcon Stadium. (The Gazette, Christian Murdock)
The Class of 2019 celebrates as the Thunderbirds fly over the commencement ceremony for the 61st graduating class at the U.S. Air Force Academy Thursday, May 30, 2019, at Falcon Stadium. (The Gazette, Christian Murdock)
The Class of 2019 celebrates after the commencement ceremony for the 61st graduating class at the U.S. Air Force Academy Thursday, May 30, 2019, at Falcon Stadium. (The Gazette, Christian Murdock)
Graduating cadets Bailey Little, left, Michael Snell and Braxton Stocking help each other pin their 2nd Lt. boards onto their uniform after the commencement ceremony for the 61st graduating class at the U.S. Air Force Academy Thursday, May 30, 2019, at Falcon Stadium. (The Gazette, Christian Murdock)
As the weather on Thursday brought sun and 70 degree weather during the Air Force Academy graduation attendees sported sun hats and used posters, programs and other materials to shield themselves from the spring sun.
An Air Force Academy staff member walks up the stairs to bring the underclassmen down to the field to prepare for the start of the graduation ceremony.
Graduate Parker Hammond stands to wave while his classmates cheer him on as president Trump congratulates Hammond for graduating with his class on time even though he had been battling cancer and invites him on stage.
An international cadet holds out their flag and sports a class ring as their name is called during a recognition of each of the international graduates.
A cadet readjusts her hat as she walks back to her seat after getting her diploma. Graduates often lose their hats as they chest bump and jump in celebration of receiving their diploma.
A cadet from Singapore stands and holds his flag after being mentioned during a recognition of international cadets that graduated with the Air Force Academy class of 2019.