Trump doesn’t let shutdown interfere with celebrating Navy’s 250th anniversary at rally-like event
By JOSH BOAK and BEN FINLEY
Updated 6:19 PM EDT, October 5, 2025
NORFOLK, Va. (AP) — President Donald Trump did not let the government shutdown interfere with a stop in Norfolk, Virginia, on Sunday to salute the Navy as it celebrates its 250th anniversary — using his speech to praise both the Navy and himself.
Trump delivered remarks that by his own recognition bordered on making it more like a campaign event, generating some cheers from the crowd before closing out with a recording of his theme song, “YMCA” by Village People.
“Let’s face it, this is a rally,” Trump told the crowd of about 10,000 sailors in their dress-white uniforms.
Navy planes flew overhead as the president began his speech, fueling the crowd’s energy and prompting many of the sailors to chant “USA! USA! USA!”
https://apnews.com/article/trump-navy-250th-anniversary-shutdown-norfolk-926e1f114b704bc069dd9ad8fff449e0
