Trump Presents the Commander-in-Chief's Trophy to Navy: 'True American Warriors' — Best Navy Recruiting Since 2002 (April 15, 2025)

President Donald Trump presented the Commander in Chief’s Trophy to the Navy Midshipmen and said they were much more than football players. “They’re not just great football players—and you can see this, that they are just amazing people—they’re true American warriors and future submarine captains and fighter pilots and Marine infantry and Navy SEALs,” Trump said in the East Room on April 15, 2025, according to the transcript published by the American Presidency Project [1].

“Today, it’s a great honor to officially present the Commander in Chief’s Trophy to the 2024 Navy Midshipmen football team,” he said [1].

The video above shows Trump with the Navy football team on April 15, 2025. Quotes are from the American Presidency Project, Fox News and Stars and Stripes [1][2][3].

”Fight, Fight, Fight and Win, Win, Win”

“After four disappointing seasons—they were so disappointed—your coach, Brian Newberry, plastered pictures of this magnificent trophy on every wall to remind you of the ultimate prize,” Trump said [1].

In 2024, he said, the Midshipmen showed “that you know how to fight, fight, fight and win, win, win.” [1]

“You won 10 of 13 games, including 9 by double digits. You beat Air Force. You beat Army,” Trump said [1].

“That’s a hell of a trophy,” he said of the “170-pound” prize, to laughter [1].

”Everyone Buying Into the Mission”

“I’m just going to say, we couldn’t have done it without Brian Newberry here; my cocaptain here, Colin Ramos; and just everyone buying into the mission. And I’m excited. Praise the Lord,” fullback Daba Fofana said [1].

Quarterback Blake Horvath said “it’s all about the team.” Trump noted Horvath’s 95-yard touchdown run, “carrying the ball 95 yards into the end zone to help beat Oklahoma.” [1]

Trump said the team “the Midshipmen had the sixth best rushing offense and the number one red zone touchdown offense” in college football [1].

“It’s an absolute honor to be here. It was an amazing season. I’m so proud of these guys.” said linebacker and defensive captain Colin Ramos [1].

“And you know, go Navy. Beat Army,” said safety Rayuan Lane III [1].

”To Beat Army”

“In December, I was honored to personally attend the 125th Army-Navy game in a battle that would be one of the best ever between the schools,” Trump said [1].

“You faked the fourth-down punt and gave the ball to the 6-foot-tall, 285-pound noseguard Landon Robinson, who found the seam and rumbled 29 yards down the field to clinch the victory and to beat Army,” Trump said [1].

“Wouldn’t be here without my teammates, you know, without my coaches for, you know, calling the play and making sure that it was open for us to run it,” Robinson said [1].

”Best Recruiting Numbers Since 2002”

“Today I’m proud to announce that, in February, the U.S. Navy had its best recruiting numbers since 2002. That’s a long time ago,” Trump said [1].

“There’s a lot of spirit right now in the country that we didn’t have 6 months ago,” he said [1].

“We’re buying gorgeous new ships,” Trump told Navy Secretary John Phelan. “And we’re going to make them beautiful-looking ships too. The look is very important to me, John.” [1]

“And as long as I’m Commander in Chief, the United States will always have the strongest, fiercest, and most powerful navy on the sea,” Trump said [1].

Trump thanked retiring athletic director Chet Gladchuk. “He’s had the honor of four national championships, 251 conference titles, and 352 all-American athletes,” he said [1].

Of Gen. Dan Caine, his new chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Trump said: “Who knew I was going to be appointing him to be the top?” [1]

“I have no higher honor than serving as the Commander in Chief,” Trump said [1].

He also told a story about Navy legend Roger Staubach. “Roger Staubach is a friend of mine and a great person,” Trump said [1].

”This Is America’s Team”

“But, Mr. President, this is your team. This is America’s team. And the CIC Trophy is the most coveted and honorable trophy in all of college sports,” Newberry said [1].

“In a little over a month, these 23 seniors, these incredible young men standing behind me, will graduate and commission as officers in the United States Navy and Marine Corps under your command, Mr. President,” the coach said [1].

“Go Navy. Beat everyone,” Newberry said [1].

The team gave Trump a football and a ring. “And I’ll carry this with me, and I’ll pretend I’m a great football player,” Trump said, to laughter [1].

By the Numbers

10 of 13: Navy’s wins in 2024, per Trump [1].
170 pounds: the weight of the trophy, per Trump [1].
23: seniors on the team, set to become 13 Navy ensigns and 10 Marine second lieutenants, per Trump [1].
44,096: Navy recruits in fiscal 2025, per Stars and Stripes [3].

What Happened Next

The Navy hit its goal three months early. “The U.S. Navy has achieved its fiscal year 2025 recruiting goal three months ahead of schedule,” Fox News reported on June 18, 2025 [2].

“Since November, Navy recruiting has skyrocketed,” Navy Secretary John Phelan said [2].

And it kept going. “By the close of the fiscal year, it had brought that final number to 44,096 — a figure the Navy hasn’t seen since the early 2000s,” Stars and Stripes reported on Oct. 1, 2025, citing Rear Adm. James Waters [3].

For Vance at the Naval Academy graduation the next month, see HYGO News’ page on May 23, 2025. For Trump and the national champion Ohio State Buckeyes the day before, see the page on April 14, 2025.