President Donald Trump said Monday on social media that he will speak during the University of Alabama’s commencement ceremony.
UA’s spring commencement is scheduled over three days, beginning May 2 and ending May 4, at Coleman Coliseum. UA has not released details on the president’s appearance.
More: By the numbers: A look at spring 2025 graduates from the University of Alabama
“I have agreed to do the commencement address at two really great places, the University of Alabama and (the U.S. Military Academy in) West Point. Stay tuned for times and dates,” Trump said on the Truth Social platform.
Sep 28, 2024; Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA; Former president and current Republican nominee for president Donald J. Trump visits Bryant-Denny Stadium for the football game between Alabama and Georgia. Mandatory Credit: Gary Cosby Jr.-Imagn Images
U.S. Sen. Katie Britt, a UA graduate, said she was “thrilled” that Trump will deliver the keynote address at UA’s 2025 commencement.
“It is a tremendous honor for the university and for this year’s graduating class to welcome a sitting president to campus—a first in the nearly 200-year history of the University of Alabama,” Britt said in a statement released Tuesday.
Trump has attended two UA football games at Bryant-Denny Stadium, one during his first term in office and another while running for president.
On Nov. 9, 2019, Trump and first lady Melania Trump sat in a luxury box during the Alabama-LSU game. The Tigers won the game, 46-41.
On Sept. 28, 2024, Trump attended the Alabama- Georgia game, which the Crimson Tide won 41-34.
Trump had the opportunity to attend the GOP presidential candidate debate held Dec. 6, 2023, at the Moody Music Building on the UA campus, but he declined an invitation.
Trump will not be the first sitting president to appear at UA’s coliseum.
On Oct. 15, 1984, Ronald Reagan made a reelection campaign stop in Tuscaloosa that included a speech and a question-and-answer session with students at the coliseum, then known as Memorial Coliseum.
Reach Jasmine Hollie at JHollie@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on The Tuscaloosa News: Will Donald Trump speak at the University of Alabama’s graduation?