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President Donald Trump will speak to alumni in his opening speech at the University of Alabama on May 1st for the first time in his second term.
Trump announced his plans in an April 21 post about his social media platform, Truth Social.
The president’s opening speech will precede Alabama’s regular award ceremony on May 2, 3 and 4am, the university said on its website.
“The University of Alabama is honored that President Donald J. Trump has been selected as one of the universities he visits to give his spring start speech,” the school said in a statement earlier this month.
The announcement was filled with opposition from Alabama students and alumni who organized protests and petitions for Trump’s speech, according to Tuscaloosa News, part of the USA Today Network.
UA president Stuart Bell and former UA football coach Nick Saban will also speak at the event on Thursday, May 1st.
Here are some things you need to know, including how and when to view Trump’s speech.
When is Trump’s opening speech for Alabama?
Trump’s opening speech in Alabama begins at 6:30pm. This is 7:30pm EST.
It will be held at the Coleman Coliseum, the home arena for the university’s basketball team and gymnastics program.
The event is to celebrate the school’s Spring 2025 alumni. Alumni will have prioritizations for events, the university says on its website. Summer and fall alumni will also receive free tickets to the ceremony.
Alumni guests were also offered free tickets, and a limited number of tickets were given to faculty, staff and other students.
How to watch Trump’s Alabama opening speech via live stream
Trump’s speech will be streamed live on Alabama’s website commencement.ua.edu.
Trump will give a speech starting West Point in May
The president will also make another opening speech at West Point in late May.
Trump announced his true plan on April 21st. West Point graduates on Saturday, May 24th.
He previously addressed West Point alumni in his first term in 2020.
Presidential opening speeches are not uncommon
The Alabama ceremony will mark the first time he will address a group of college graduates in Trump’s second term, but that’s not an unusual practice.
Starting with former President Dwight Eisenhower in 1953, according to the US President’s Project, all presidents have given at least one opening speech in their first year of office.
According to the US Presidential Project, Trump gave seven opening speeches during his first term, including Liberty University and the US Naval Academy.
Melina Kahn is a trending reporter covering USA Today’s national news. She can be contacted at mkhan@gannett.com.
