Latest news with #TideAgainstTrump
New York Post
16-05-2025
- Politics
- New York Post
Beto O'Rourke claims Biden ‘failed' America by running for second term
Former Democratic Rep. Beto O'Rourke told the 'Pod Save America' podcast on Thursday that former President Joe Biden 'failed this country' by seeking re-election, which he believes contributed to current President Donald Trump's return to the presidency in 2024. O'Rourke argued that Biden should not have sought a second term and slammed the former president for trying to 'sell' the public on the idea that he was the only candidate capable of defeating Trump. 'It's not just you and me, but our kids and grandkids and the generations that follow that might have to pay the price for this,' he said, adding, 'We might very well lose the greatest country that this world has ever known.' The former congressman and failed 2022 Texas gubernatorial candidate continued to place blame on Biden's reelection efforts for the Democratic Party's loss in 2024, suggesting that having an open primary would have benefited the party. 'It might be in part because of the decision that Biden and those around him made to run for re-election instead of having an open primary, where the greatest talent that the Democratic Party can muster could be on that stage, to have a competition of ideas and track record and vision, and really excite not just Democrats but the people of this country who did want change,' O'Rourke asserted. 3 Former presidential candidate Beto O'Rourke of Texas speaks at a rally called 'Tide Against Trump' in Tuscaloosa, Ala., held in opposition to President Donald Trump's appearance on campus on Thursday, May 1, 2025. AP He claimed that 'if anything was clear coming out of 2024,' it was that Americans wanted change. O'Rourke also criticized members of Congress who, in the lead-up to the 2024 election, claimed that Biden was 'running circles' around them in closed-door briefings. 3 Joe Biden speaks onstage during the first day of the Democratic National Convention at the United Center on August 19, 2024 in Chicago, Illinois. Getty Images 'It just doesn't add up with what I'm seeing with my own lying eyes,' he recalled, adding that Democrats covering for Biden's alleged decline in mental acuity while in office created a credibility issue for the party moving forward. During a speech at Harvard Kennedy School's Institute of Politics in 2023, O'Rourke echoed a similar sentiment towards Biden's reelection efforts, telling the crowd that Democratic voters were 'unexcited' about a second Biden term. 3 Democratic U.S. Representative Beto O'Rourke takes part in in a debate for the Texas U.S. Senate with Republican U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz, in Dallas, Friday, Sept. 21, 2018. AP 'This is critical if you want to win in 2024. It is no secret that Democratic voters are unexcited about Biden — that's putting it politely. It is no secret, thanks to the poll that we just read,' he said. 'The young voters, especially, are leaving his banner in droves. Now will they vote for Donald Trump? Will they vote for [Robert F. Kennedy Jr.]? Will they not vote at all? I don't know. But let's give them a reason to vote for the president. 'Something bold, something big, something that matches the rhetoric that he used in 2020 and inspires voters in 2024 is what's needed right now,' O'Rourke added.
Yahoo
02-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Trump tells University of Alabama graduates not to be a 'victim,' says in America 'we reject that idea'
President Donald Trump spoke at the University of Alabama on Thursday night ahead of their official commencement ceremonies starting Friday, and urged students not to consider themselves a "victim" in their futures, noting that far too many young people think that way. The special address to graduates also included remarks from the university's president, Stuart R. Bell, and former Alabama Crimson Tide head football coach, Nick Saban. Trump touted success during his first 100 days as president, and took a few opportunities to jab at his political opponents as well. But Trump's message was largely focused on the graduating class, which he acknowledged as "the first graduating class of the Golden Age of America." Trump Claps Back At Courts For 'Interfering' With Job, Asks 'How You Can Give Due Process' To Illegal Migrants "Don't consider yourself a victim. Consider yourself a winner. In recent years, too many of our young people have really been taught to think of themselves as victims and blame people and be angry. Don't be angry," Trump said. "In America, we reject that idea that anyone is born a victim. Our heroes are the ones who take charge of their own destiny, make their own luck, and determine their own fate despite the odds, despite all odds." Trump shared a range of other advice with the graduating class in addition to touting his political agenda. In between slamming federal judges for blocking him from doing his job and questioning Democrats' defiance of his directives to keep men out of women's sports, Trump urged students to beat the odds – hearkening back to his November election victory – and preserver through difficult challenges. Read On The Fox News App "Graduates of the Alabama class of 2025 standing here before you in this magnificent arena, it is clear to see the next chapter of the American story will not be written by the Harvard Crimson. It will be written by you – The Crimson Tide," Trump told the students as he concluded his address. "Because this is Alabama. And in Alabama you fight, fight, fight and you win, win win. That's what you know how to do." Trump Mocks Trans Athletes In Women's Sports To Roaring Applause At Alabama Commencement Speech Trump's address was the first at the University of Alabama by a sitting president. It was met with pushback from both students and non-students. The university's College Democrats chapter held a "Tide Against Trump" rally that featured former Democratic presidential candidate Beto O'Rourke and former Alabama senator Doug Jones. The chapter also released a statement several days before Trump's visit to campus, expressing their "shock" and "disgust" that the "unpopular, divisive, and authoritarian President will be involved in commencement." The Alabama NAACP slammed Trump's appearance at the University of Alabama as well, comparing the president's rhetoric to "the segregationist rhetoric of George Wallace" in comments about his address on their article source: Trump tells University of Alabama graduates not to be a 'victim,' says in America 'we reject that idea'
Yahoo
02-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Trump encourages Alabama grads to enjoy the ‘golden age' he's creating
(NewsNation) — President Trump, marking the first 100 days of his second term this week, on Thursday encouraged the University of Alabama's Class of 2025 to enjoy the 'golden age' he's setting up for them through his administration's policies. 'I think you have a chance to be the greatest generation in the history of our country because we're turning it around and you happen to be available,' Trump told an appreciative crowd at the Coleman Coliseum. Trump, in an hourlong commencement address laced with politics, encouraged the thousands of graduates to excel in their respective fields. He touted his administration's immigration crackdown, controls on transgender athletes and the controversial tariffs he has imposed on foreign imports. Trump's first 100 days: An economic roller coaster of uncertainty 'It's making us very rich,' Trump said of the tariffs, 'and you'll be seeing the results pretty soon, sooner than most people think.' Trump, who praised Alabama's winning Crimson Tide football dynasty, was playing to a state where he took a commanding 64% of the vote in 2024. Former football coach Nick Saban joked that it was a tough job introducing the president. 'I feel like I'm the warmup band for the Rolling Stones and the first song they're going to play is 'Start Me Up,'' he said. Though billed as a commencement address, Thursday's assembly keynoted by Trump was actually a special event that was created before graduation ceremonies that begin Friday. Graduating students had the option of attending the event. It wasn't all harmony. Trump's visit to the University of Alabama drew hundreds of protesters to an off-campus rally. One-time presidential candidate Beto O'Rourke of Texas and former U.S. Sen. Doug Jones, the last Democrat to hold statewide office in Alabama, appeared at the 'Tide Against Trump' event — a play on the university's nickname. The Associated Press contributed to this report. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Fox News
02-05-2025
- Politics
- Fox News
Trump tells University of Alabama graduates not to be a 'victim,' says in America 'we reject that idea'
President Donald Trump spoke at the University of Alabama on Thursday night ahead of their official commencement ceremonies starting Friday, and urged students not to consider themselves a "victim" in their futures, noting that far too many young people think that way. The special address to graduates also included remarks from the university's president, Stuart R. Bell, and former Alabama Crimson Tide head football coach, Nick Saban. Trump touted success during his first 100 days as president, and took a few opportunities to jab at his political opponents as well. But Trump's message was largely focused on the graduating class, which he acknowledged as "the first graduating class of the Golden Age of America." "Don't consider yourself a victim. Consider yourself a winner. In recent years, too many of our young people have really been taught to think of themselves as victims and blame people and be angry. Don't be angry," Trump said. "In America, we reject that idea that anyone is born a victim. Our heroes are the ones who take charge of their own destiny, make their own luck, and determine their own fate despite the odds, despite all odds." Trump shared a range of other advice with the graduating class in addition to touting his political agenda. In between slamming federal judges for blocking him from doing his job and questioning Democrats' defiance of his directives to keep men out of women's sports, Trump urged students to beat the odds – hearkening back to his November election victory – and preserver through difficult challenges. "Graduates of the Alabama class of 2025 standing here before you in this magnificent arena, it is clear to see the next chapter of the American story will not be written by the Harvard Crimson. It will be written by you – The Crimson Tide," Trump told the students as he concluded his address. "Because this is Alabama. And in Alabama you fight, fight, fight and you win, win win. That's what you know how to do." Trump's address was the first at the University of Alabama by a sitting president. It was met with pushback from both students and non-students. The university's College Democrats chapter held a "Tide Against Trump" rally that featured former Democratic presidential candidate Beto O'Rourke and former Alabama senator Doug Jones. The chapter also released a statement several days before Trump's visit to campus, expressing their "shock" and "disgust" that the "unpopular, divisive, and authoritarian President will be involved in commencement." The Alabama NAACP slammed Trump's appearance at the University of Alabama as well, comparing the president's rhetoric to "the segregationist rhetoric of George Wallace" in comments about his address on their website.
02-05-2025
- Politics
Trump will address graduating students at the University of Alabama
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. -- TUSCALOOSA, Ala. (AP) — President Donald Trump was set to address graduating students at the University of Alabama on Thursday, a visit that drew hundreds of protesters to an off-campus rally. Trump's evening remarks in Tuscaloosa will be the Republican president's first address to graduates in his second term and will come as he has been celebrating the first 100 days of his administration. The visit came shortly after he announced a shake-up to his national security team, with Mike Waltz being tapped for United Nations ambassador and Secretary of State Marco Rubio taking over Waltz's national security adviser role on an interim basis. The White House offered no details about Trump's planned message to graduates. Alabama, where Trump won a commanding 64% of the vote in 2024, is where he has staged a number of his trademark large rallies over the past decade. It is also where Trump showed early signs of strength in his first presidential campaign when he began filling stadiums for his rallies. While Trump has described the speech as a commencement address, it is actually a special event that was created before graduation ceremonies that begin Friday. Graduating students have the option of attending the event. Former Crimson Tide football coach Nick Saban is also speaking. Ahead of the president's arrival, cap-and-gown-wearing graduates and their families began filing into the arena where Trump was set to speak. Many seemed excited about the prospect of seeing him in person. Emily Appel, a 22-year-old advertising major from Norcross, Georgia, called Trump's appearance at their school 'a cherry on top' of her college years. 'I think it's such an honor, no matter who the president is. I think this is a huge honor to have the president of the United States speaking to our school," Appel said. She called Trump a 'very influential person' and said she hoped he had a message to share that was "positive about us being able to work in the real world and for our future.' Sophie Best, who is graduating with a communications degree, said, 'I don't think that we could have had a greater person come to speak." The 21-year-old from Cartersville, Georgia, said she attended Trump's first presidential inauguration in 2017 when she was a freshman in high school, along with her father, who she said loves Trump. 'I think that no matter what political party or whatever you believe in, I think that it's super cool that we get to experience and make history and be a part of this,' she said. At a park several miles away, hundreds of people gathered at a counter rally hosted by College Democrats. One-time presidential candidate Beto O'Rourke of Texas and former U.S. Sen. Doug Jones, the last Democrat to hold statewide office in Alabama, were slated to address the rally, called a 'Tide Against Trump' — a play on the university's nickname. Aidan Meyers, a 21-year-old junior studying biology at the university, said he felt betrayed by the decision to let Trump speak at a graduation-related event. 'I felt betrayed that the university was willing to put up with someone who has made it clear that they hate academia, essentially holding funding above universities' heads as a bargaining chip, unless they bow down to what he wants, which is kind of a hallmark sign with fascist regime,' Meyers said. He said he also feels betrayed by the administration's stance on science and research. A fellowship he was seeking at the National Institutes of Health was canceled because of the federal hiring freeze, he said. Jones told the crowd they were there 'not just as a protest, but as a movement.' 'You are here today because you're concerned, you're afraid. You understand that this country's great democracy is teetering right now with what we're seeing going on,' the former senator said. He said Trump asked to come to Alabama because he mistakenly thinks, 'y'all are all my people.' 'Well, obviously they're not,' Jones told the large cheering crowd. Ahead of the rally, O'Rourke praised the students who invited him as 'inspiring' and said their efforts in a Republican-dominated state like Alabama are an example for the rest of the country. 'You cannot be too red or too rural or too Republican to be written off right now. You also can't be too blue or too liberal to be taken for granted,' O'Rourke told The Associated Press after arriving in Tuscaloosa. 'You've got to show up absolutely everywhere. We truly are in crisis.' Trump's presence has also drawn criticism from the Alabama NAACP, which said his policies are hurting universities and students, particularly students of color. Trump's visit to Alabama is his second trip this week. He held a rally in Michigan on Tuesday to mark 100 days in office. Outside of weekend trips for personal visits, the president has not made many official trips since taking office on Jan. 20. He usually speaks to the public from the impromptu news conferences he holds in the Oval Office and at other events at the White House. After his stop in Alabama, Trump is scheduled to travel to Florida for a long weekend at his Mar-a-Lago resort.
