During his commencement address at West Point on Saturday, President Donald Trump veered off-script and began speaking about a “trophy wife,” a moment that quickly drew attention online and renewed criticism of his public speaking style. While addressing graduates, Trump referenced real estate developer William Levitt, saying, “He ended up getting a divorce. Found a new wife. Could you say a trophy wife? I guess we can say a trophy wife. It didn’t work out too well.” The comment came seemingly out of nowhere, inserted into a broader point about success and decline.
The unusual tangent sparked backlash on social media, with many critics calling the remark inappropriate and confusing. Some pointed to it as another example of Trump’s tendency to drift off-topic during formal speeches. Several videos of the moment circulated widely, with one clip gathering over a million views on X, formerly Twitter. Another version passed half a million views as people questioned the relevance of the anecdote in the context of a military graduation ceremony.
Trump has long been known for his improvisational speaking style, which many of his supporters view as authentic and refreshing. They argue it makes him relatable and engaging. But his critics see these offbeat comments as evidence of a lack of focus or discipline, especially during high-profile events. This latest incident has fueled ongoing speculation in the media, with some commentators suggesting that the president is showing signs of cognitive decline. Several headlines and talking points across outlets framed the moment as concerning, with phrases like “going senile” trending in connection to the speech.
In the speech, Trump referred to Levitt as a “great, great real estate man” who eventually lost his “momentum.” It was during that part of the story that he brought up Levitt’s second marriage, labeling the woman a “trophy wife” before concluding that the relationship didn’t turn out well. The moment left many observers scratching their heads about what exactly Trump was trying to convey.
As of now, the White House has not responded to requests for comment on the speech. Meanwhile, the reaction continues to spread online, adding another layer of controversy to the president’s already scrutinized public appearances.