Trump speaks at Fort Bragg again. How this visit was different.
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- President Trump was expected to address 18th Airborne Corps at Fort Bragg terminal.
- Trump to address Venezuela attack; Nicolás Maduro is being held in New York.
- Trip coincided with a partial government shutdown set to begin and stalled DHS talks.
Soldiers from the 18th Airborne Corps crowded into a building along Pope Army Airfield, at Fort Bragg, on Friday afternoon to hear from President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump.
Melania Trump was first to address the crowd around 1:30 p.m., wishing soldiers a happy Valentine’s Day and thanking them for their service before introducing her husband.
In the president’s second visit to Fort Bragg this year, he took the stage to “God Bless America.” He promoted his wife’s new movie, praised the state of the economy and noted that Fort Bragg had returned to its previous name. His speech last about 30 minutes.
Soldiers crowded around the podium in the passenger terminal next to Pope Army Airfield. “I’m so proud to be your commander-in-chief,” Trump said. “Let me begin by saying a very, very big thank you to our great warriors and men and women of the United States.”
He ended his speech in a similar way, saying his “message to warriors” is that their commander-in-chief “supports you totally.”
Republicans joining him in the room included U.S. Sen. Ted Budd and U.S. Rep. Richard Hudson, whose district includes Fort Bragg.
Trump invited on stage former Republican National Committee Chair Michael Whatley, who is running to replace Sen. Thom Tillis in the upper chamber of Congress. Trump acknowledged that Whatley isn’t well known since he’s been working behind the scenes in politics helping Trump win the presidency.
“I’m thrilled that he has first asked me to run for Senate in North Carolina, and is giving me an opportunity to represent you and to fight for you and every other base that we have in this great state,” Whatley said, “to protect our interests, to make sure that America and our allies are going to be protected, because the highest, most important function for any government is to keep its communities and citizens safe, and we have the best president right now to do that. And I’m honored to be with him today.”
A large American flag served as a backdrop as the crowd awaited Trump. There were two infantry squad vehicles on each side of the podium. Those vehicles are manufactured in North Carolina.
Trump praises military, criticizes Democrats and DEI
Trump said he thinks that Fort Bragg will be renamed Fort Liberty, as it was before, if Democrats defeat Republicans in the midterm elections.
He said that everyone is in the military “based on merit,” criticizing past diversity, equity and inclusion policies, and said that troops in the room look like they’re from “central casting,” a reference to actors chosen for television and films.
Trump, who did not serve in the military, also praised various battleships as well as war veterans.
He talked repeatedly about the $1,776 one-time payment given to military service members in honor of America’s 250th anniversary.
He said how much he likes Fort Bragg and that “maybe I’ll move here one day.”
Some of his speech echoed past campaign speeches, like telling stories about people calling him “sir,” and about the group of Republican women who come to all his rallies.
How soldiers reacted
In a contrast with Trump’s visit to Fort Bragg last June, soldiers did not stand behind the president during his speech and stood fairly still during his speech. They rarely cheered or jeered or offered any type of political commentary.
Trump’s visit to Fort Bragg in June left the base facing controversy and allegations that the president had politicized the military.
A slight cheer went up when Trump said he and “his movie star” wife should move to Fort Bragg.
Members of the Army raised their phones as Trump began to dance on stage at the end of his speech.
Venezuela attack
The visit to Fayetteville was first announced Tuesday during a press briefing by White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt. Leavitt said they were coming to meet with military families and “the heroic members of our special forces” who carried out Operation Absolute Resolve, the mission in Venezuela that led to the capture of the country’s president, Nicolás Maduro.
“North Carolina is the proud home of the world’s most elite soldiers,” said Rep. Brad Knott, a Republican from Raleigh. “I am honored to join President Trump today in honoring our service members at Fort Bragg.”
Maduro became president of Venezuela following the death of Hugo Chávez. The United States considers Maduro the leader of a foreign terrorist organization.
He and his wife are currently being held in New York.
Trump’s visit comes on the second day of a two-day trip to North Carolina by Sen. Bernie Sanders, an independent from Vermont, who was to be in Durham on Friday as part of his “Fight the Oligarchy” tour.
Both visits coincide with a partial government shutdown set to begin at midnight.
Congress could not come to an agreement over funding the Department of Homeland Security, during negotiations over reining in immigration enforcement officials. Both the Senate and House left Washington on Thursday without a compromise and don’t plan to return for another week.
This story was originally published February 13, 2026 at 1:06 PM.
