Speaking from the U.S. Capitol, Trump spent the majority of the 110-minute address highlighting domestic achievements, declaring that the United States has entered a “Golden Age.” He claimed that despite inheriting a “mess” from the previous administration, the nation is now “stronger, better, and richer than ever before.”
The speech comes as the President seeks to solidify his standing more than a year after returning to the White House. However, the event underscored the deep polarization in Washington.
While Republican lawmakers offered frequent standing ovations, the Democratic side of the aisle remained largely silent or openly hostile, with nearly half of the Democratic caucus absent, according to Xinhua.
Trump focused heavily on economic metrics, a key factor in his 2024 election victory. He asserted that his policies have successfully curbed inflation, driven the stock market to record highs, and lowered costs for pharmaceuticals, gasoline, and housing.
Addressing a recent Supreme Court ruling that overturned his tariff policies, Trump denounced the decision as “totally wrong” and vowed to implement a “stronger” solution.
The atmosphere in the chamber turned volatile during discussions on immigration. Tensions flared when Trump referred to Somali immigrants as “Somali pirates” engaged in fraud, prompting Democratic Representative Ilhan Omar to shout, “You lie!”
Read more: Trump hikes global tariff rate to 15% following Supreme Court defeat
Earlier in the evening, Representative Al Green was removed from the gallery less than five minutes into the speech after unfurling a protest banner.
In a direct confrontation, Trump boasted of having the “strongest border in history” and challenged Democrats to stand to show they prioritize protecting American citizens over “illegal immigrants.”
When no Democrats stood, Trump told them they should feel “shame.” Several Democrats shouted the phrase back at him, leading the President to accuse the opposition of being “crazy.”
Foreign policy was largely relegated to the final portion of the address. Nearly 90 minutes into the speech, Trump briefly touched upon the crisis in Ukraine, the situation in Venezuela, and tensions with Iran.
He emphasized that he would “never allow” Iran to acquire nuclear weapons, warning that Tehran is developing missiles capable of striking the U.S. mainland.
The President’s optimistic portrayal of the nation contrasts with recent public sentiment. A poll released Monday by NPR indicates that 55% of respondents believe the country’s situation is worse now than it was a year ago.
