“Peace Through Strength” Touted By Trump As He Addresses U.S. Troops In Middle East
on May 15, 2025
Trump Visits Troops During Historic Middle East Visit
“My trip is four-and-a-half days, but this is the one I was so looking forward to, because I’m with the people that I really love and respect,” President Donald Trump said to members of the United States Armed Forces stationed at Al Udeid Air Base, in Qatar.
This visit with the troops, on Thursday, May 15, coincided with the president’s historic visit with various leaders of nations in the Middle East.
Only a matter of weeks since commemorating his 100th day in office as the 47th president, this trip saw Trump meet with leaders of Saudi Arabia, Syria, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates.
Signing an investment agreement with Qatar worth up to $1.2 trillion, as well as an investment agreement with the Saudis worth $600 billion and another $142 billion agreement for the Saudis to purchase their weaponry from the United States, this trip has proven fruitful.
The United States’ sanctions against Syria were also dropped.
However, on May 15, Trump received a different kind of welcome: not just as a president, but as the commander-in-chief.
The Commander-In-Chief Addresses U.S. Soldiers In Qatar
“PEACE THROUGH STRENGTH,” read the banner hanging along the wall of Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar on May 15.
Stepping up to the podium, Trump looked out to the troops and began, with a smile, stating, “What a beautiful group of people you are. I wish I looked like you. I would’ve been president 20 years ago if I looked like you.”
Such moments of humor were ad-libbed throughout his speech to the troops, but he was also spoke powerfully about the work and purpose of the military.
“You are, without a doubt, the greatest fighting force in the history of the world,” Trump told the troops. “You’re the finest anyone has in the fight against the enemies of civilization. You’re the people that are defeating chaos, combatting terror, defending our interests, supporting our allies, securing our homeland, and making America incredibly proud.”
He added, “And you know what? Making America great again. That’s what’s happened. It’s happened very fast.”
Speaking on his priorities as president, Trump said it is his goal “to end conflicts, not start them,” adding, “I will never hesitate to wield American power if it’s necessary to defend the United States of America or our partners.”
Expounding upon this, he said, “When we’re threatened, America’s military will answer our enemies without even thinking about it … We have overwhelming strength, and devastating force.”
Thinking back on the administration of his predecessor, President Joe Biden, Trump provided some context to his praise for the military, saying, “We had people that didn’t like to talk about that. They didn’t want to talk about the level of quality that we have.”
Trump noted that he has set aside $1 trillion for the United States defense budget, with some of those funds going to military personnel salaries, in addition to new equipment and vehicles, such as the sixth-generation Boeing F-47 fighter aircraft.
He also touted the “Golden Dome” missile defense system he signed an executive order for on January 27, which will defend America from missile attack, like the Iron Dome utilized in Israel. Graphics displaying the reach of “Golden Dome” were present at his press conference regarding the “most-favored nations” policy to lower prescription drug prices on Monday, May 12.
Trump then offered a recent example of the lack of pride and respect he’s observed from the past administration for the military.
Noting he had been on the phone on May 8 with many world leaders, including those of the United Kingdom, France, and even Russia, who were all celebrating the 80th anniversary of the Allied victory in the European theatre of World War II.
“Everybody was celebrating but us, and we’re the ones that won the war — we won the war!” Trump said to applause. “And they helped, but without us, they don’t win the war. We’re all speaking German… maybe a little Japanese, too.”
Jokingly, Trump added, “We love France, right? But I think we did a little more to win the war than France did. Do we agree? I mean, I don’t want to be a wise guy, but when Hitler made his speech at the Eiffel Tower, I would say that wasn’t exactly ideal.”
In an effort “to take credit” for America’s accomplishments, Trump said there will be a military parade in Washington, D.C., this year on Flag Day, June 14, which also happens to be Trump’s birthday.
Near the end of his speech, Trump looked to to the history of the American Armed Forces, saying:
“Every American warrior here today inherits a legacy of exceptional patriots who have defended our freedom for nearly 250 years. You carry on the glorious tradition of the heroes of Lexington and Concord, Gettysburg and Belleau Wood, Normandy and Midway. You embody the spirit of the soldiers who hoisted the flag over Fort McHenry, and the Marines who planted the Stars and Stripes on the summit to Iwo Jima — that was a rough attack. You carry forward the mission of generations of Americans before you who march through halls of gunfire, trekked over rugged mountains, stormed across scorching deserts, sailed through hostile waters, conquered unknown dangers, and poured out their blood and guts in battlefields all over the world. The military is incredible, and we won our independence, preserved our union, protected our way of life, defeated fascism, crushed terrorism, liberated millions and millions of people from bondage, and brought communism to its knees.”
Concluding his speech, Trump said, “Now, we’re going to defend America from all enemies, overcome all obstacles and dangers, and, as one nation, we’re going to build a future of peace and prosperity for generations to come. Together, we will stand strong, we will stand proud, we live free, and we will fight, fight, fight, and we will win, win, win!”
Watch his full remarks here:
Hegseth’s Comments To The Military
Trump’s remarks were preceded by Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth speaking to the troops, who began by saying, “What an absolute honor it is to be here amongst America’s best, alongside our allies.”
He added, “I look out into this audience, and I truly see the eyes of American strength. The eyes of American deterrence. The eyes of Americans who put America first.”
Stationed at Al Udeid Air Base are an estimated 10,000 American troops.
“I have the distinct privilege, every day, of watching President Donald Trump put America first. From the Oval Office to foreign trips, every single moment, he has the best interests of our warfighters in mind.”
Speaking to the phrase emblazoned on the banner behind him, Hegseth outlined three things that the U.S. Department of Defense is “doing to ensure we achieve peace through strength and put America first.”
First, he said the department is “restoring the warrior ethos,” which he said includes “no more political correctness, gender pronouns, DEI, CRT, or climate change.”
“The young people of America have signed up in historic numbers, which is why you’ve seen recruiting skyrocket … responding to their commander-in-chief, Donald Trump.”
Second, Hegseth the administration is “rebuilding our military.” Referring to Trump’s commitment of $1 trillion in the defense budget, he said this rebuilding includes having “the best ships, the best subs, the best planes, the best fighters, the best drones, missiles, air defense, space defense, border security, and ‘Golden Dome.’”
Third, Hegseth said the nation is “reestablishing deterrence,” which he qualified by looking back on three events which occurred under President Joe Biden: the 2021 withdrawal from Afghanistan; the Russian war in Ukraine; and the Hamas attack on Israel, perpetrated on October, 7, 2023.
“Under President Trump, we’re seeing a renaissance of ‘peace through strength,’” Hegseth said. “Our enemies know that we mean business, and our allies — like Qatar, here — know that we will stand beside them.”
He said that it is the “projection of strength” that “unleashes peace.”
