In Washington, President Donald Trump delivered a pointedly partisan speech to Congress on Tuesday evening, eschewing the traditional calls for national unity that typically accompany such addresses. Instead of the hopeful rhetoric often expected, Trump took the opportunity to highlight his electoral victory and lambasted Democrats for not acknowledging his achievements. The address reflected his aggressive approach to his second term, as he demanded loyalty across the federal government despite facing opposition.
Trump initiated his speech with a tone of division, criticizing his predecessor, President Joe Biden, as the “worst president in history.” He also accused Democrats of failing to show even basic courtesy through applause. Trump aligned himself with famed American icons, likening his achievements to those of George Washington. During his address, Republicans responded with cheers, while Democrats remained mostly silent, occasionally shouting in protest. An interruption occurred when Democratic Representative Al Green of Texas vocally opposed Trump and was subsequently ordered to leave by House Speaker Mike Johnson.
Throughout his address, Trump delved into cultural issues, opposing affirmative action, diversity initiatives, and transgender rights. He inflated his modest electoral victory, with his speech resembling a campaign rally rather than a congressional address. However, his demeanor towards Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy saw a rare shift from recent tensions. Trump read a letter from Zelenskyy expressing a willingness to resume peace negotiations. This gesture marked a potential cooling of relations after Trump had previously criticized Zelenskyy for insufficient gratitude regarding U.S. aid.
In domestic matters, Trump addressed economic frustrations, notably blaming President Biden for the soaring prices of groceries, including the cost of eggs. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins cautioned that egg prices could continue to rise, driven by the bird flu, which had necessitated the culling of millions of birds. The administration committed additional funding to combat this outbreak, seeking to stabilize prices.
The presence of billionaire Elon Musk, who received generous praise from Trump, was also a key feature of the speech. While Trump lauded Musk’s efforts to overhaul government operations, Democrats countered his claims with cries of “false.” Musk, dressed formally for the occasion, acknowledged the applause from Republicans. As Trump touted Musk’s accomplishments in identifying “fraud,” critics pointed out exaggerations and inaccuracies in the president’s statements.
Trump remains unyielding in his stance on tariffs, despite the turmoil these have created on Wall Street, which saw significant losses since his election. With tariffs on Canada and Mexico risking further price hikes for American consumers, Trump remained steadfast, claiming that such measures are essential for revitalizing the country’s economy. His comments drew rebukes from international leaders, including Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum, who hinted at their responses to U.S. tariffs.
In his speech, Trump aimed to appeal to numerous constituencies. For the wealthy, he proposed a new immigration scheme offering privileged entry to affluent foreigners, dubbing it the “$5 million gold card.” Meanwhile, he reiterated support for working Americans, proposing to eliminate taxes on tips, overtime, and Social Security benefits for seniors, along with new trade measures purportedly beneficial to agriculture, though some senators expressed concerns about the impact of tariffs on the industry.
Reflecting on Trump’s political evolution, his inaugural speech to Congress in 2017 exhibited a much different tone. Then, he spoke of collaboration with Canada on women’s entrepreneurship and acknowledged the progress towards civil rights, while also expressing hope for realistic immigration reform. By contrast, his current address underscores a shift towards more divisive rhetoric, with a focus on dismantling diversity initiatives and criticizing his predecessor.
