Trump tells troops at Fort Bragg that Democrats would change base name – USA Today

President Donald Trump told troops at Fort Bragg that Democrats would change the base’s name if they got back into power, and he joked about retiring to the North Carolina base because he likes it so much.

The Biden administration had changed the base’s name in 2023 to Fort Liberty, to eliminate its link to Confederate Gen. Braxton Bragg. But Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth changed the name back in February 2025 in honor of a World War II paratrooper, Pfc. Roland Bragg.

“When I heard they were taking the name Fort Bragg off, I said no, no, no,” Trump said during a visit to the base Feb. 13. “They did. They took the name off. We got it back very quickly. If we don’t win the midterms, they’ll take it off again.”

Trump said he liked the area so much he might retired there.

“It’s a great area. In fact, I’m thinking about moving here some day,” Trump said to cheers. “With our first lady, we’ll move to Fort Bragg. Would you like that darling?” he asked his wife Melania. “She loves it. It’s a possibility.”

Trump visited Fort Bragg to congratulate troops who captured and removed Venezuela’s President Nicolas Maduro. Trump noted that three helicopter pilots were wounded “pretty badly in the legs” by machine-gunners on the ground but that snipers took out the gunners and the pilots returned safely. He planned to meet with the “very brave” pilots “very shortly.”

“With your help, America is winning again,” Trump said. “America is respected again. And perhaps most importantly we are feared by the enemies all over the globe.”

After his capture, Maduro was brought to New York to face federal charges of narco-terrorism and cocaine trafficking. He has pleaded not guilty.

Fort Bragg is home to the Army’s Special Operations Command and Delta Force, the elite special forces unit that reportedly executed the raid.

“Nobody thought a thing like that could happen,” Trump said.

Soldiers breaking into Maduro’s compound during the raid had cut through steel doors as though they were “papier-mache,” Trump said.

Seven U.S. soldiers were injured in the operation, and dozens of Cuban security personnel guarding Maduro were killed, according to news reports.

“They were taken out very quickly,” Trump said.

Trump: US has ‘very good’ relationship Venezuela’s Rodriguez

Before leaving the White House to visit Fort Bragg, Trump told reporters he has “a very good relationship” with Delcy Rodriguez, the former vice president of Venezuela who succeeded Maduro as interim president.

Trump said the U.S. government would take oil from Venezuela, refine it and sell it abroad. But some U.S. oil companies have expressed reluctance about dealing with Venezuela because of risk of investing in a country with such chaotic politics.

“We have a very good relationship with the president of Venezuela,” Trump said. “The relationship we have right now with Venezuela is, I would say, a 10.”

Rodriguez was part of Maduro’s government and became interim president after his removal Jan. 3. But the opposition leader, Maria Corina Machado, has argued for a transition to her leadership. Trump was asked if he would recognize Rodriguez as the official head of government.

“Right now we have done that. We’re dealing with them. Really, right now, they’ve done a great job,” Trump said. “Delcy has done a very, very good job. The relationship is strong.”

Asked when he would travel to Venezuela, Trump said he hasn’t decided yet.