President Donald Trump shared important and hard-won wisdom with the graduates of the class of 2025 at the University of Alabama on Thursday, urging them to work hard and approach life with zest and excitement.
During his remarks, he encouraged the young graduates to embrace America’s “Golden Age” and tasked them with bringing the country to new and exciting heights.
“It’s exciting to be you and young,” he said.
The president looked to the future and impressed upon the graduates that America’s destiny was on their shoulders. “Each of the graduates in this arena will soon have the chance to help lead this project of national renewal,” he said.
“Do everything the absolute best, better than any other nation in the world,” he added.
The president gave lengthy remarks, but perhaps the most impactful moments were when he broke down his hard-won treasure trove of personal wisdom gained in business and work into eleven simple but powerful steps that can be applied to one’s journey through life.
Step one: you’re not too young
The president highlighted the capabilities of America’s young people on Thursday, noting that he himself hit it big when he was just 28 years old with a real estate deal that he took a chance on in Manhattan.
“If you’re here today and think that you’re too young to do something great, let me tell you that you’re wrong, you’re not too young…in America, with drive and ambition, young people can do anything,” he said.
He pointed out how many American heroes began their journeys at a young age, like Steve Jobs, Walt Disney, James Monroe, Alexander Hamilton, and beyond. He noted that they were “no older than 25 when they began the journeys that etched their names into the history books for all time.”
Trump urged the graduates to do something with their youth. “Don’t waste your youth,” he said. “Go out and fight right from the beginning, from the day you leave this incredible university.”
Step two: love what you do
The president made it very simple when he said, “You have to love what you do, okay?”
He added, “I rarely see somebody that’s successful that doesn’t love what he or she does.”
Trump said he had tremendous success in real estate because he loved it, and he attributed, too, much of his wisdom to his father, Fred Trump, whom he described as a “good man” and a “tough guy.”
“Find something that you love and you have to follow your instincts,” he said.
Trump added, “Fight like hell and enjoy doing it.”
Step three: think BIG
Importantly, Trump explained that there was no reason to think small when someone can think big. “If you’re going to do something you might as well think big,” he said.
He continued, “It’s just as hard to solve a small problem as a big problem and it’s just as much energy.”
Step four: work hard
The president urged the graduates to “never, ever stop” and quipped, “The harder I work, the luckier I get.”
He encouraged the young people gathered in Tuscaloosa to use their talent to dig in and do great things.
Step five: don’t lose your momentum
“You just want to keep it going,” Trump said.
The president explained that it was important to “listen to the feedback” people give you and to “think through your plan very carefully and keep moving fast.”
“The word momentum is very important,” he went on. “…You have to know when it’s your time…there’ll be a time when you do lose.”
Step six: if you want to change the world, have the courage to be an outsider
President Trump knows a thing or two about being a political outsider, and on Thursday, he hammered this message home for the students of the University of Alabama.
“If you want to change the world, you have to have the courage to be an outsider – in other words, you have to take certain risks and do things a little bit differently,” he stated.
He said that the closer one gets to success, the more vicious attacks and resistance will be. “You have to break the system a little bit and follow your own instincts,” he said.
Step seven: trust your instincts
“You can go very far in life with common sense,” he said.
Trump used relevant examples of his decision to close Joe Biden’s open borders with simple executive authority and also talked about the common-sense actions he has taken to protect women’s sports from transgender incursion.
Step eight: everybody should believe in the American dream
The president took tremendous pride in elevating the American dream in Alabama, and it showed. “Everybody should believe in the American dream – it’s real, it’s there, and it’s right before you,” he declared.
He added, “We’re coming back to the American dream.”
This drew huge applause from the audience.
Step nine: think of yourself as a winner
There is no room in life for a negative mindset, according to President Trump. “Think of yourself as a winner,” he said. “The power of positive thinking.”
He paid homage to Norman Vincent Peale, the author of the original book of the same title.
“Don’t consider yourself a victim, consider yourself a winner,” Trump continued. “…In recent years, too many of our young people have been taught to think of themselves as victims…our heroes are the ones who take charge of their destiny, make their own luck, and determine their fate despite the odds.”
Step ten: be an original
Trump heralded the importance of being unique and original, non-conforming when necessary, and unafraid to step outside the box of expectations.
“The all-time greats were people who had the confidence to be a little different,” he shared. “…You’re one-of-a-kind, so don’t try to be someone else, just be yourself.”
Step eleven: never give up
Finally, President Trump brought home his positive message with a single phrase: “Never EVER give up!”
He added that he has learned, “If you just went a little big longer, if you just held out a little bit longer, you would have been successful.”
Trump explained that he has also learned that “perseverance is everything.”
He continued, “No matter what happens in life, just keep pushing forward…victory is just around the corner.”
And in a final flourish of wisdom, he concluded, “In America, the impossible is what we all do best – there is nothing you cannot do if you are willing to fight for it.”
