Former President Donald Trump Remarks at Naval Station in Virginia

Amid ongoing government shutdown, economic instability, and controversy over recent immigration enforcement actions, Donald Trump addressed an audience at a naval station in Virginia. Rather than focusing on pressing national issues, Trump’s speech revealed his perception of current events, often characterized by expressions of ignorance.

In his remarks, Trump claimed that the United States had triumphed in all wars prior to being “woke,” suggesting a nostalgic view of American military history:

Trump’s Comments on Military History

“The Department of War, now called Defense—I don’t know, would you ever want to, you know, the name change signifies us winning World War I, World War II, and everything in between. We won everything before, and then they decide to change the name. They went ‘woke’ too. Woke is a long-term word.”

He also digressed into political commentary about the 2020 election, linking it to his military praise:

Remarks on the 2020 Election

“From the American Revolution until today, the Navy’s story is one of loyalty, sacrifice, and commitment spanning 250 years. I almost thought I wouldn’t get to celebrate that because I was president in 2016, but then they rigged the election against me. We caught them, but I had to run again, and I won two more terms, the World Cup, and the Olympics.”

Trump’s speech continued with more unsubstantiated claims and ramblings, showcasing his typical style of speaking that often sidesteps serious policy discussions in favor of personal assertions.