May Day evening, President Donald Trump will be the guest speaker at a special commencement event at the University of Alabama. UA's official commencement ceremonies are taking place all weekend, but this special event is a specific "reach out" to Generation Z. Floating on the theme, "The American Dream is Back," Trump is not just reaching out, but reaching forward and encouraging the next generation to take up the torch and then pass it on.

A special commencement event is scheduled at The University of Alabama for 6:30 p.m. Thursday, May 1, in Coleman Coliseum. 

The ceremony will celebrate the UA class of 2025 and feature an address from President Donald J. Trump along with comments from UA President Stuart R. Bell and Nick Saban, former coach of the Crimson Tide football team. 

According to John Wahl, Chairman of the Alabama GOP, the Trump administration initiated talks with the University of Alabama to be a part of UA's commencement weekend. 

John Wahl, chairman of the state political party, said that the president reached out to University officials about the possibility of him taking part in the commencement ceremony “as it was one of the places he specifically wanted to visit.”

The University’s Governmental Affairs team and members of Trump’s administration then worked together to coordinate the details to “make this historic event possible.”

Local publication 1819 News reported that ahead of his commencement address Trump will meet with author, Gen Z youth organizer, and Tuscaloosa native Brilyn Hollyhand, as well as other young leaders in the Yellowhammer state:

Trump will meet with Brilyn Hollyhand before addressing the graduation ceremonies. Hollyhand is chairman of the Republican National Committee's Youth Advisory Council. 

[...] 

On Wednesday afternoon, Hollyhand said, “Just got a call from the White House, and I have a confirmed meeting with the President tomorrow before his commencement speech to talk about our Gen Z success last November and ways he can continue to engage the next generation -- and how he can keep the youth vote for 2026 and 2028.”

So, Trump is not just randomly choosing to make a commencement speech; he is on a mission. One way Trump is establishing his legacy is through inspiration. He is inspiring this generation to carry the torch of American greatness forward, and ensure Gen Alpha and beyond continues to carry the flame. The legacy media and Trump critics love to claim he is a narcissist and that everything he does is all about him. 

Take it with a grain of salt. Look at who he chose as his vice presidential running mate: a much younger Millennial who embodies the American Dream and can also inspire future generations to strive for it. Look at his Gen Z press secretary, Karoline Leavitt, and even his deputy chief of staff, Dan Scavino, who Trump mentored and who rose from caddy to the White House. The American Dream is vital, and Trump's campaign and, now, his presidency, are focused on preserving it for future generations.  

If the torch is passed forward appropriately, and the Republican Party doesn't do something to muck up the works, the Democrats will be out of power for a very long time.

Ma tha Siobhan.*

*Ma tha Siobhan = "If God is Merciful."