What to Know
It seems like President Donald Trump can never go very long without making unsolicited comments about the way people look. At the US Coast Guard Academy graduation ceremony on Wednesday, May 20, Trump used his speech as an opportunity to play stand-up comedian and brag about his own political accomplishments (and act as a creepy commentator of sorts?)
When inviting cadets up on stage to recognize them, Trump commented on their bodies and even gave a backhanded compliment.
After recognizing the Distinguished Graduate, Trump complained about men who are too attractive.
Trump: I hate good looking men. We also have the only cadet who earned a perfect score on every single fitness test. I wanna check him out. Look at the muscles on this guy. pic.twitter.com/UwyQg5EuWo
— Acyn (@Acyn) May 20, 2026
Cadet Matthew Lanzilotta was recognized as the Distinguished Graduate. When he left the stage, Trump said, “I hate good-looking men.” He was obviously calling the cadet “good-looking,” but saying that he “hates” men who he perceives as attractive is kind of reminiscent of when he said, “I always like to hang around with losers, actually, because it makes me feel better.”
One critic on X speculated that “good looking men are threatening to him” as well.
But aside from that, people also found the comment super inappropriate. After all, the cadet was being recognized for his academic, military, and athletic achievements, and Trump made it about his appearance. Another critic called Trump a “pervert” who “objectified and diminished” cadets during the ceremony. “If I were this kid’s mother, I’d be p—ed at the president, talking about my child in this manner,” they wrote.
It didn’t end there, though.
My criticism of this speech going into it was going to be that the President made it about himself and not the cadets—but BOY did he make it about the cadets. https://t.co/xvE05UY8Iu
— James Martin (@MartinforFL) May 21, 2026
Because Trump also made similar comments about another cadet. He welcomed Thomas Rhodes on stage and made awkward comments about how he wanted to “check him out.”
Trump said, “We also have the only cadet who earned a perfect score on every single fitness test. Now, we’re talking fitness… this guy must be something. I think we’ll have to invite him up; I wanna check it out.”
He added, “I wanna check him out. We’re not gonna fight with him. I’m not fighting him… Look at the muscles on this guy.”
Commenters on social media thought that Trump seemed to be “drooling” at the ceremony, which led to a lot of jokes about his sexuality. “Exactly the type of things a totally straight guy would say,” someone wrote sarcastically. Another commenter added, “Grampa has an affinity for hunky men.”
Regardless, it doesn’t change the fact that his comments came across as “gross” and “creepy” to people.
PERVERT ALERT https://t.co/dPiDT1cC1h
— Sarah Larchmont (@SarahLarchmont) May 20, 2026
It’s the overall creepiness of Trump’s comments that critics really had a problem with. A lot of people argued that even if he was trying to be funny, it was not appropriate.
“What a creepy old man,” one critic wrote. Someone else added, “I have nothing against gay people obviously…but he is disgusting just all the way around. I’m sure that man felt violated.” Some people on X actually defended Trump and said this was his way of recognizing the men for their strength and their achievements, but clearly, many others saw it differently. “Way to ruin what is probably the proudest moment in this guys life so far,” someone commented.
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