WASHINGTON — The nation is poised to witness a new presidential narrative as the commander-in-chief addresses Congress during a prime-time slot on Tuesday night. While some citizens will enthusiastically join in his perspective, others may choose to turn a deaf ear.
Gone are the messages of unwavering support for NATO, championing free trade, and Washington’s responsibilities toward environmental efforts, women’s health advocacy, and civil rights. These sentiments were part of Donald Trump’s rhetoric in 2017.
Back then, there still existed gestures of unity and bipartisan efforts from the president during his address to Congress on the state of the union. Trump was still acclimating to the corridors of power and had not yet begun to dismantle the status quo. It wasn’t until three years later that Americans would witness the dramatic actions of Democratic Rep. Nancy Pelosi of California, then Speaker of the House, as she tore apart Trump’s speech in a display of disapproval.
In Tuesday’s upcoming address, the public will watch to see if Trump will aim his message at the entire nation, as in his initial presidential address, or cater to the demographic that voted for him. Observers will be keenly interested to see whether he sticks to procedural decorum or dives into theatrical displays and provocations.
The reaction from Democratic lawmakers is yet to be seen, particularly if any dramatic actions occur. It’s known that at least four of them have invited terminated federal employees to attend as their guests.
The speech arrives shortly after Trump publicly criticized Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy during an Oval Office meeting for not showing enough gratitude toward U.S. support in Ukraine’s conflict with Russia. Such a reprimand from the U.S. President to a foreign ally is unprecedented in recent memory.
In Hollywood, Florida, resident Jarrett Borden voiced mixed feelings about Trump. Despite the perceived bluster, Borden appreciates some actions Trump has taken and looks forward to the speech for entertainment value. “I hope he doesn’t turn it into an open mic night with Elon Musk,” Borden remarked, referencing Musk’s influence in Trump’s administration.
Meanwhile, in Philadelphia, visual artist Nova Villanueva plans to engage in other activities on Tuesday, bypassing politics and social media to maintain personal peace. “It’s a bit disheartening,” Villanueva noted. “It feels like avoiding politics is essential to stay at peace these days.”
Traditionally, a new president’s first congressional address isn’t billed as a State of the Union due to its proximity to inauguration. Nonetheless, it shares similar functions—recapping past achievements, outlining future plans, and highlighting the nation’s condition from the president’s viewpoint. Typically, presidents declare the state of the union as strong, regardless of underlying issues. Trump won the election by asserting the nation was in disarray and committing to restore order.
The Trump who spoke on February 28, 2017, still resonates today, despite the more measured delivery in contrast to recent actions. Notably, he highlighted the need for increased defense spending by NATO members and emphasized the necessity for ‘fair’ trade and hoped for stability abroad to encourage immigrants to return home. Yet, he didn’t immediately follow through with the drastic foreign policy shifts, civil service reorganizations, or policy upheavals we see today.
In a bipartisan tone reminiscent of any previous president, Trump discussed a council co-created with Canada’s Prime Minister to support women entrepreneurs during his 2017 address. Presently, however, Trump’s attitude toward Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has soured, threatening tariffs and derogatorily labeling him as the “governor” of a would-be 51st state, unsettling Canadians.
Philadelphia entrepreneur Michael Mangraviti finds some merit in Trump’s bureaucratic shakeup, indifferent to job performance or public service impact. “For years Trump promoted draining the swamp,” Mangraviti stated, affirming actions to dismantle governmental ineffectiveness.
Conversely, musician Cassandra Piper from Philadelphia disapproves of Trump’s policy moves and choices for government appointments, particularly the cessation of penny production and his appointments like RFK Jr. as health secretary, viewing them as efforts to misuse government resources.
In Florida, Borden, identifying as Black, suggests Trump’s redirection of funds from overseas to domestic priorities could be positive, yet critiques the racial and divisive undertones. “Do it with positive energy and unity,” Borden advised.
Trump, echoing sentiments of unity akin to Lincoln’s call for the “better angels of our nature,” declared in 2017, “We all bleed the same blood,” advocating for a unified nation.
