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, 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 Thursday evening 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.

“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. Attendance for graduating students was optional.

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.

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‘A warning shot’: CNN’s John King floored as voters tell Trump they’re ‘still not happy’



CNN election expert John King was floored on Tuesday night after New Jersey's voters elected a Democrat as the state's next governor.

Democrat Mikie Sherill was projected to win the state's governor's seat against Republican Jack Ciattarelli. Sherill's race was called after she won 56% of the vote with more than three-quarters of precincts reporting, according to CNN.

What surprised King the most was that Sherill outperformed Kamala Harris's efforts during the 2024 campaign against President Donald Trump.

"This is definitely a warning shot across the bow of the White House and I would say the Republican Party," King said. "Donald Trump won big just a year ago in 2024. This is America saying we're still not happy. And you're in charge now, and we're not happy."

He also found that Sherill had flipped the five counties Trump won during his campaign against Harris, which is an obvious warning sign for Republicans.

"That's called 'Never mind, we're going back to vote for the Democrats,'" King said.

‘Haven’t seen it’: Mike Johnson roasted for playing dumb on whatever reporters ask



House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) doesn't appear to know, and he likely hasn't seen whatever video, speech, or statement reporters want to ask him about.

For the past several weeks, as reporters peppered Johnson with questions about President Donald Trump's cognitive decline, violence at the hands of ICE and other federal agents, and even things said by members of his own caucus. He answered simply that he doesn't know and hasn't seen it, heard it or examined it.

A Religious News Service reporter caught Johnson in a fib, while others couldn't help but notice that Johnson doesn't seem to know anything about anything.

Asked about a pastor being shot in the face by a pepper round by federal agents, Johnson responded, “I can't comment on any of those instances. I haven't seen or heard any of those videos…Religious freedom does not extend and give you the right to get in the face of an ICE officer and assault them.”

"Note: I asked this question, and you’ll hear me say 'yes you have' here — because Johnson was already *directly asked* about one of these instances in one of earlier shutdown press conferences," said Jack Jenkins, national reporter for Religion News Service.

It comes after Johnson was leveled by Jon Stewart on "The Daily Show" on Monday. He showed a clip of Johnson being asked about Trump's demand for $230 million from the DOJ for himself. Johnson said he hadn't spoken to Trump and didn't know any specifics.

"Uhhhh, I'm just f---ed up," Stewart said, mocking Johnson.

The day after the DOJ question, another reporter followed up, asking Johnson's opinion on it. The Speaker swore he wasn't trying to dodge the question: "I haven't had time to dig into the details."

Stewart mocked Johnson for claiming he had a lot to do, alleging it was only to cover up the investigation files surrounding Jeffrey Epstein. Republican members are out of Washington for another week, and Johnson is refusing to negotiate on the budget or healthcare. So, many people have questions about what exactly Johnson knows.

"Mike has never seen or heard of anything happening," posted CJ Fogler.

"When not appearing at a podium, does Mike Johnson go to his office, stand facing a corner and stick his fingers in his ears? The man never seems to have heard or seen anything ever," Broadway lawyer Michael Salerno questioned.

"More s--- Mike Johnson doesn’t know," said Mueller, She Wrote's Allison Gill on Bluesky.

"Can a reporter grow a pair and just say what we all are thinking already?" asked national security lawyer Bradley P. Moss. "He is deliberately refusing to look at information so he can remain ignorant. Pure and simple."

Even "Mother Jones" commented, "Mike Johnson, the perpetually unaware, strikes again."

"Has Mike Johnson ever considered holding his daily presser an hour later to give him time to read a paper?" influencer Schooley asked.