President Trump attended a special ceremony on Tuesday to present the Commander-In-Chief trophy to the Navy Midshipmen football team.
“Today, it’s a great honor to officially present the Commander-In-Chief’s trophy to the 2024 Navy midshipmen football team, a really great team,” Trump said.
President Trump also thanked Vice President J.D. Vance and other leaders for attending the ceremony, including Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, Secretary of the Navy John Phelan, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Dan ‘Raisin’ Cain, Acting Chief of Naval Operations Admiral James Kilby and Superintendent of the Naval Academy Vice Admiral Yvette Davids.
“I especially want to thank and congratulate Athletic Director Chet Gladchuk,” President Trump said before congratulating Gladchuk on his retirement. “After 24 years he’s going to do other things I guarantee that will also be incredible, but it’s going to be very hard to top what he’s done as Athletic Director. He’s had the honor of four national championships, 251 conference titles, and 352 All-American athletes.”
Trump congratulated the team on their accomplishments throughout the season.
“You won ten of thirteen games, including nine by double digits. You beat Air Force, you beat Army, and now the 107-pound trophy is yours once again,” Trump said. “You had some brilliant players.”
Trump pointed out that he had attended the Army vs. Navy game in December, referring to it as “one of the best ever between the schools.”
Trump said the game “really went down in the history books,” pointing out that the Navy team led the entire game until it looked like the Army was poised to tie the score in the fourth quarter. Navy ultimately pulled out a victory.
“With the win of this trophy, you secure your spot as one of the greatest teams in Navy football history. That’s a tremendous honor,” Trump said. “As president, I have no higher honor than serving as the Commander-In-Chief of America’s armed forces.”
President Trump congratulated the team’s seniors on their accomplishments. “They’re not just great football players…they are amazing people. They’re true American warriors and future submarine captains, fighter pilots, and marine infantry.”
Trump concluded the ceremony by stating his commitment to strengthening the American military. “As long as I am Commander-In-Chief, the United States will always have the strongest, fiercest and most powerful Navy on the sea,” Trump said.