Just six weeks into his presidency, Donald Trump delivered a robust performance before Congress, painting a picture of triumph and accomplishment amidst palpable Democratic discontent. Celebrating, as he claimed, the most successful start to a presidency in US history, Trump addressed a joint session of Congress dominated by his party, proclaiming, “We have accomplished more in 43 days than most administrations accomplished in four years or eight years, and we are just getting started.”
With characteristic bravado, Trump boasted about the shift in national sentiment towards “pride” and “confidence”, drawing comparisons to George Washington and boldly highlighting the size of his electoral victory. However, Trump’s rhetoric was met with silence from the Democratic contingent, which occupied half the chamber, as he blamed them, former President Joe Biden, and the so-called “radical left lunatics” for the nation’s challenges.
Democrats, visibly unimpressed, waved signs reading “false” and “lies” as Trump took his audience through an exhaustive list of what he termed key accomplishments. His administration’s rapid actions included the issuance of hundreds of executive orders, a freeze on foreign aid, and measures to bolster border security, all touted as indicators of success in his administration’s opening months.
The president, keen to engage with contentious issues, declared his administration’s ban on transgender athletes in women’s sports and a campaign to eradicate “woke ideology” from schools and the military. “Wokeness is trouble. Wokeness is bad. It’s gone, it’s gone, and we feel so much better for it, don’t we?” he intoned, relishing the division in the room.
Trump’s comedic barbs directed at his political opponents, including a familiar taunt of “Pocahontas” aimed at Massachusetts Senator Elizabeth Warren, appeared to invigorate him, even as the Democrats sat stony-faced. The atmosphere briefly disrupted when Texas congressman Al Green, in protest of proposed Medicaid cuts, interrupted the president, only to be swiftly removed by Capitol police at the behest of Speaker Mike Johnson.
Transitioning from a review of his early achievements, Trump switched focus to challenges ahead, dedicating a substantial portion of his address to a vision for the future. He promised economic relief for working families, citing high food prices and pledging to tackle inflation through stringent government efficiency measures. Trump’s ambitious proposals included a bald ambition for balanced budgets through unspecified cuts, alongside his appealing framework of tax cuts targeting tips, overtime, and Social Security.
Foreign policy, although a minor theme in his speech, included a bold reiteration of his desire for American control over Greenland and the Panama Canal. Trump also claimed to be fostering dialogues with Ukraine, citing a recent message from President Volodymyr Zelensky to underline a supposed warming of relations. “He said: ‘My team and I stand ready to work under President Trump’s strong leadership to get a peace that lasts,’” Trump recounted, framing his leadership style as beneficial for global diplomacy.
As he concluded an address that clocked in at over an hour and 40 minutes, Trump shattered records for the length of a presidential address to Congress. His supporters had ample cause for celebration, while critics, having observed from the sidelines, were left to muse over the numerous contentious points that surfaced. As Democrats made hasty exits, one thing was evident: the polarising climate of politics continues to thrive at Capitol Hill.
Key points
- US President Trump has addressed a joint session of Congress, telling lawmakers he is “just getting started” after a whirlwind six weeks in office.
- Trump says he “appreciated” a letter from Ukraine’s Zelensky, which said he was ready to negotiate for peaceSpeaking about his desire for Greenland to become a part of the US, Trump says “one way or another, we’re gonna get it.
- “On the domestic front, Trump says there will be “tax cuts for everybody” and promises to balance the federal budget.
- The President has used his speech to list what he calls his “bold actions”, including sweeping funding freezes and renaming the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America.
- He spent several minutes celebrating the cost-cutting of Elon Musk’s Doge initiative and the ending of aid programmes around the world that he decried as “fraud”.
- Democrat Al Green was ejected for shouting and refusing to sit, while Republicans chanted “USA”.
- Senator Elissa Slotkin delivered the Democratic Party rebuttal, and took aim at Musk’s Doge – saying “(there’s) no guardrails on what they do with your private data”.