← Videos · Foreign Policy & Defense

Trump Delivers Remarks to the Michigan National Guard, Apr. 29, 2025

April 29, 2025 · The White House · 0:20:08

Embedded from the source channel — never re-uploaded. Watch on YouTube

What happened

President Donald Trump delivered remarks to the Michigan National Guard at Selfridge Air National Guard Base on Apr. 29, 2025, carried on the White House channel, with Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth among those present. The President thanked Governor Gretchen Whitmer for bringing the base’s future to his attention “very strongly,” noting the bipartisan effort to save the facility.

The announcement: “As commander-in-chief, I’m proud to announce that very soon we will replace the retiring A10 Warthogs with 21 brand new F-15 EX Eagle 2 fighter jets, the best in the world, fresh off the line,” he said. He added that his administration would also continue plans to replace the outgoing KC-135s with KC-46 Pegasus aircraft to continue the refueling mission. Speakers at the event said the new fighter mission would keep Selfridge thriving for the next 30 to 40 years, as they stated it.

Why it matters

The Selfridge announcement settles the base’s long-contested future with a dated, specific commitment - 21 F-15EX jets replacing the A-10s - made by the President in person, with the state’s Democratic governor credited from the stage for pressing the case.

Scoreboard watch

Scoreboard watch: the Apr. 29, 2025 commitment of 21 new F-15EX Eagle II fighter jets to Selfridge Air National Guard Base, replacing the retiring A-10 Warthogs - flagged for the scoreboard editors; the entry itself remains review-gated.

Sources: The White House, “President Trump Delivers Remarks to the Michigan National Guard” (YouTube, Apr. 29, 2025) - official description and broadcast transcript as aired.