Billy Joel cancels all scheduled concerts due to diagnosis with normal pressure hydrocephalus

Trump addresses West Point graduates following DEI crackdown at military academies

The school removed diversity related curriculum after Trump order

President Donald Trump spoke before this year's U.S. Military Academy graduates as their commencement speaker on Saturday amid the administration's crackdown on diversity initiatives and removal of key military leaders.

Trump addressed the crowd while wearing a red "Make America Great Again" hat and brought a few graduates on the stage as he praised their achievements.

The president and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth have called for major changes to military academies since assuming office as part of the administration's rollback of diversity, equity and inclusion programs, and these changes took center stage in Trump's speech.

In February, shortly after Hegseth was confirmed by the Senate, West Point disbanded several student clubs, including the National Society of Black Engineers, the Society of Women Engineers, the Latin Cultural Club and the Native American Heritage Forum.

President Donald Trump addresses graduates of the United States Military Academy at West Point in Michie Stadium, on May 24, 2025, in West Point, NY.

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MORE: West Point disbands student clubs related to gender and race

The changes were made "in accordance with recent Presidential Executive Orders, Department of Defense guidance, and the Department of the Army guidance," according to a memo obtained by ABC News.

Also in February, Trump, who avoided being drafted during the Vietnam War due to what he claimed were bone spurs, dismissed the boards of visitors of military academies, claiming without evidence that the schools were "infiltrated by Woke Leftist Ideologues."

PHOTO: President Donald Trump and US Military Academy Superintendent Lt. Gen. Steven Gilland listen to the national anthem at the 2025 graduation ceremony at the US Military Academy West Point ,on May 24, 2025, in West Point, New York. 

President Donald Trump and US Military Academy Superintendent Lt. Gen. Steven Gilland listen to the national anthem before Trump delivers the...Show more

Saul Loeb/AFP via Getty Images

This winter, 381 books, many of which were written by Black authors or discussed the history of racism, were removed from U.S. Naval Academy libraries because of an order issued in a Pentagon memo.

The memo mandated that military services were to submit and remove book titles from the libraries of their military educational institutions that touch on diversity, race and gender issues using the Pentagon's specific search terms.

All but 20 of the books that were initially removed were returned this week, according to the school.

Former West Point teachers and other military members have criticized Trump and Hegseth for the orders, contending that such programs did not inhibit the values, training and education of the academies.

President Donald Trump delivers the commencement address at the 2025 US Military Academy Graduation Ceremony at West Point, New York, on May 24, 2025.

Saul Loeb/AFP via Getty Images

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"These were brazen demands to indoctrinate, not educate," Graham Parsons, a West Point professor wrote in a May 8 guest essay in the New York Times.

"Whatever you think about various controversial ideas -- Mr. Hegseth’s memo cited critical race theory and gender ideology -- students should engage with them and debate their merits rather than be told they are too dangerous even to be contemplated," he added.

In this Oct. 26, 2014, file photo, West Point Military Academy campus is shown.

John Greim/LightRocket via Getty Images, FILE

MORE: Military academies criticized for removing DEI-related books from libraries

Two protests are planned during the ceremony, one outside West Point's gate and another on the Hudson River involving people on boats, according to organizers.

The president and his Cabinet have promoted their work with the military and attended several events honoring members, in which they have touted high recruiting numbers.

Earlier this month, Trump hosted military mothers at the White House with first lady Melania Trump and second lady Usha Vance to celebrate Mother’s Day.

Next month, Trump plans to showcase the military and honor service members with a parade throughout Washington, D.C.

He will join veterans, active-duty troops, wounded warriors, Gold Star families and people from across the country as part of America's 250th birthday celebration.

Organizers intend to commemorate the legacy of the U.S. Army while looking ahead to the next 250 years of American patriotism and the military.

In this June 13, 2020, file photo, President Donald Trump delivers the commencement address at the 2020 US Military Academy Graduation Ceremony at...Show more

Nicholas Kamm/AFP via Getty Images, FILE

Trump last spoke to the school in 2020, and his appearance drew questions about his health. He was seen slowly walking down a ramp and appeared to have trouble drinking water from a glass while speaking.

The president, who has frequently criticized the health of his Democratic opponents, brushed off the criticism in a post on Twitter, now X.

"The ramp that I descended after my West Point Commencement speech was very long & steep, had no handrail and, most importantly, was very slippery," he wrote, despite the weather being sunny during the ceremony

Billy Joel cancels all scheduled concerts due to diagnosis with normal pressure hydrocephalus

Billy Joel has canceled all of his scheduled concerts due to a recently diagnosed health condition, the legendary singer said on Instagram.

On Friday, a statement shared on his Instagram revealed he was recently diagnosed with normal pressure hydrocephalus.

"This condition has been exacerbated by recent concert performances, leading to problems with hearing, vision, and balance," the statement said. "Under his doctor's instructions, Billy is undergoing specific physical therapy and has been advised to refrain from performing during this recovery period."

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The statement went on to say that Joel is "thankful for the excellent care he is receiving and is fully committed to prioritizing his health. He is grateful for the support form fans during this time and looks forward to the day when he can once again take the stage."

Separately, in the statement shared on his Instagram page, the 76-year-old Joel shared a message to his fans.

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"I'm sincerely sorry to disappoint our audience, and thank you for understanding," he said.

Billy Joel performs at Allegiant Stadium, Nov. 9, 2024, in Las Vegas.

Ethan Miller/Getty Images

"Good Morning America" has reached out to Joel's rep for comment.

In March, "The Piano Man" singer announced he underwent surgery and had to undergo physical therapy. A statement at the time said doctors expected him to make a full recovery.

Billy Joel postpones tour to recover from surgery: 'My health must come first'

As a result, Joel's concert dates were rescheduled and would have resumed on July 5, 2025, in Pittsburgh.

The singer added at the time that "my health must come first. I look forward to getting back on stage and sharing the joy of live music with our amazing fans."

What to know about normal pressure hydrocephalus

Normal pressure hydrocephalus is one of two types of hydrocephalus, an “abnormal buildup of cerebrospinal fluid deep within the brain,” according to the U.S. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.

Cerebrospinal fluid, or CSF, is the fluid that lives in the ventricles, or cavities, of the brain that helps cushion the brain and the spinal cord. When the flow of CSF is somehow blocked and fluid builds up in the ventricles, it causes normal pressure hydrocephalus, according to the NINDS.

Billy Joel performs at Allegiant Stadium, Nov. 9, 2024, in Las Vegas.

Ethan Miller/Getty Images

The extra fluid in the brain can cause pressure and lead to brain damage, as well as issues with walking, bladder control and thinking and reasoning, according to the NINDS.

Though it can happen at any age, normal pressure hydrocephalus is most common in older adults. It is most often diagnosed through a combination of neurological testing and brain imaging.

The best chance of recovery from normal pressure hydrocephalus comes if it is diagnosed early and treated properly.

The most common treatment for normal pressure hydrocephalus, according to the NINDS, is surgery.

In one option, doctors insert a shunt into the brain, which connects to another tube under the skin to help drain the excess fluid from the brain. With this option, regular monitoring of the shunt is required, and additional surgeries and repairs may be needed.

A second surgical option for normal pressure hydrocephalus is endoscopic third ventriculostomy, or EVT, where a doctor makes a hole at the bottom of the third ventricle in the brain, which allows fluid to flow to relieve the pressure, according to the NINDS.