President Trump, just six weeks into his second term, delivered the longest joint address to Congress in history on Tuesday night, presenting his administration’s vision while sparring with Democratic lawmakers throughout his speech.
‘America is Back’ – President Trump Declares His Mandate
Trump opened his address with a triumphant declaration:
“America is back.”
The statement was met with thunderous applause from Republican lawmakers, accompanied by chants of “USA!”
He touted the rapid pace of his administration’s actions, claiming:
“We’ve accomplished more in 43 days than most administrations accomplished in four years or eight years – and we are just getting started.”
Hecklers Disrupt Speech, Rep. Al Green Removed
Tensions quickly escalated when Trump discussed his 2024 election victory, calling it a “mandate” despite data suggesting otherwise.
As he claimed he won the popular vote “by large numbers,” Democrats audibly objected. Texas Representative Al Green stood, shaking his cane at Trump while shouting:
“There’s no mandate!”
House Speaker Mike Johnson repeatedly slammed his gavel to restore order, eventually instructing the sergeant-at-arms to remove Green from the chamber after multiple warnings.
The Democratic resistance continued throughout the speech, with lawmakers holding signs reading “false” and “Musk steals”, while several walked out of the chamber in protest.
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Trump Lashes Out at Biden
Trump frequently criticized former President Joe Biden, blaming him for economic struggles, border issues, and foreign policy missteps.
“The worst president in American history,” Trump said bluntly.
Despite his early campaign promises to lower prices, a 538 analysis found Trump’s approval rating on health care, foreign policy, and trade issues to be underwater.
Praise for Elon Musk and the ‘DOGE’ Initiative
One of the more unexpected moments in Trump’s speech came when he praised Elon Musk and the newly established Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).
“The brand-new Department of Government Efficiency, DOGE. Perhaps you’ve heard of it. Perhaps. Which is headed by Elon Musk, who is in the gallery tonight. Thank you, Elon. He’s working very hard. He didn’t need this. He didn’t need this. Thank you very much. We appreciate it.”
Trump claimed DOGE had already identified massive waste, fraud, and abuse in government programs, though many of his specific claims – such as millions of Americans over 100 receiving Social Security benefits – have been debunked.
He argued that cutting government waste would lower mortgage rates, car payments, and grocery prices while strengthening the economy.
Economic Policies: Focus on Tariffs Over Inflation
Despite hammering Biden on economic issues during his campaign, Trump spent little time outlining a concrete plan for tackling inflation.
“Joe Biden especially let the price of eggs get out of control. The egg price is out of control, and we’re working hard to get it back down.”
Democrats immediately pushed back, pointing out that egg prices have actually risen under Trump due to an avian flu outbreak.
Rather than discussing detailed price-cutting measures, Trump focused on tariffs, defending his trade policies against Canada, China, and Mexico, which sent markets tumbling on Tuesday.
“Tariffs are not just about protecting American jobs – they’re about protecting the soul of our country. Tariffs are about making America rich again.”
Foreign Policy: The Imperial Push and Ukraine
Trump saved foreign policy for the end of his address, making bold declarations about reclaiming the Panama Canal and attempting to acquire Greenland for national security reasons.
On Ukraine, he read aloud a letter from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, signaling that tensions between the two leaders had somewhat cooled following an explosive Oval Office meeting last week.
“We’ve had serious discussions with Russia and have received strong signals that they are ready for peace. Wouldn’t that be beautiful?”
Trump also briefly touched on Middle East relations, promising to bring back hostages from Gaza and expand the Abraham Accords.
Conclusion: A Contentious Start to Trump’s Second Term
Trump’s historic joint address set the tone for what is likely to be a deeply divided political landscape in his second term. While he rallied Republican support, the ongoing resistance from Democrats and public dissatisfaction with some of his early policies indicate a challenging road ahead for his administration.
