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Donald Trump has delivered the first State of the Union address of his second term as US President to a joint session of Congress.
It was an uncharacteristically disciplined performance that was full of self praise on big subjects like the economy and immigration.
And there were plenty of made-for-TV flourishes that caught the eye.
US President Donald Trump delivers the first State of the Union address of his second term to a joint session of Congress
via REUTERS
Tariffs ‘here to stay’
He said: “Almost all countries and corporations want to keep the deal that they already made.
“Knowing that the legal power that I, as president, have to make a new deal could be far worse for them, therefore, they’ll continue to work alongside the same successful path that we had negotiated before the court’s unfortunate involvement.
“Countries that were ripping us off for decades are now paying us hundreds of millions of dollars. Yet these countries are now happy and so are we. We made deals. The deals are all done. And they’re happy.”
The Trump family were out in force for the address. Pictured are (top row L-R) Bettina Anderson, Lara Trump, Jared Kushner, (bottom row L-R) Donald Trump Jr., Eric Trump, Ivanka Trump, Barron Trump and Melania Trump
Getty Images
‘The golden age of America’
Trump boasted that he had ushered in “the golden age of America,” seeking to project an aura of success despite sagging approval rating.
He spent the first hour of his televised speech focused on the economy, saying he had slowed inflation, driven the stock market to record heights, signed sweeping tax cuts and lowered drug prices.
“Our nation is back – bigger, better, richer and stronger than ever before,” Trump said after taking the stage to cheers of “USA, USA” from fellow Republicans in Congress.
Trump doled out medals, introduced surprise guests and clashed with Democrats.
Members of the US men’s ice hockey team, fresh from an Olympic gold medal, were presented as proof that America is “winning” again under Trump’s leadership.
In a rare moment of bipartisanship, the players received multiple rounds of applause, chants of “USA” and pumped fists from lawmakers.
He gave Army Chief Warrant Officer Eric Slover, a helicopter pilot injured during the operation to capture then-Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, a Medal of Honor.
Trump also name-checked invited guests, including slain conservative activist Charlie Kirk’s widow Erika.
Members of the US Olympic men’s ice hockey team that won the gold medal attended Donald Trump’s State of the Union address
REUTERS
Democratic US Representative Al Green was removed from the House chamber for the second consecutive year after waving a sign at Trump that read: “Black people aren’t apes.”
The White House eventually took down the video, which Trump said was posted by a staffer.
Other Democrats offered quieter messages of protest. US Representative Jill Tokuda, a Hawaii Democrat, wore a white jacket emblazoned with words like “affordability” and “healthcare.”
A number of Democratic women wore tags saying “release the files,” a reference to the scandal surrounding convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. About a dozen Epstein accusers attended as guests of Democrats.
US Rep Al Green holds a sign as Donald Trump arrives to deliver the State of the Union address
REUTERS
Trump’s speech offered a window into his administration’s changing priorities from almost a year ago, the last time he spoke to a joint session of Congress.
What’s gone: a host of foreign policy subjects treated in depth. These include plans to reclaim the Panama Canal and annex Greenland. China, which merited six mentions last year, received none this year.
Trump has relaxed policy toward China ahead of his planned state visit in five weeks, and he has backed off for now on his Greenland threats.
Also cut from this year’s remarks was praise for Elon Musk and his Department of Government Efficiency. Trump’s affection for both projects has dimmed. Trump did say he would launch a program focused on fraud and chaired by Vice President JD Vance.
What’s in: In addition to a bucket of deliverables on the economy, Trump added a fresh push for election law changes ahead of the November midterms, including voter ID and limits on mail ballots.
Longest State of the Union
The 79-year-old’s speech lasted about an hour and 47 minutes, breaking the record he set last year for the longest presidential address to Congress. That clocked in at about an hour and 39 minutes.
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