President Donald Trump has addressed a raucous joint session of the US Congress for the first time since he returned to power in January, declaring: “The American Dream is unstoppable.”
In the longest presidential speech to lawmakers on record, which spanned over one hour and 40 minutes, he outlined his vision for his second term, as Republicans applauded a high-octane six weeks that has reshaped domestic and foreign policy.
ALSO READ FROM NIGERIAN TRIBUNE : ‘We are just getting started’ — Trump
In six weeks, Trump has moved to slash the federal workforce and crack down on immigration while imposing tariffs on America’s biggest trading partners and shaking up the transatlantic alliance over the war in Ukraine.
Tribune Online breaks down ten key points from his speech:
President Donald Trump has addressed a raucous joint session of the US Congress for the first time since he returned to power in January, declaring: “The American Dream is unstoppable.”
In the longest presidential speech to lawmakers on record, which spanned over one hour and 40 minutes, Trump outlined his vision for his second term, as Republicans applauded a high-octane six weeks that has reshaped domestic and foreign policy.
In six weeks, Trump has moved to slash the federal workforce and crack down on immigration while imposing tariffs on America’s biggest trading partners and shaking up the transatlantic alliance over the war in Ukraine.
Tribune Online breaks down ten key points from his speech:
- Trump competes with Democrats
It was clear early on that Democrats planned strong opposition to the president’s address.
House and Senate Democratic leaders did not join the escort committee for the president on Capitol Hill. Democrats turned their backs to Trump as he entered the chamber and did not shake his hand.
Melanie Stansbury held up a ‘This is not normal’ sign as Trump entered the chamber.
Trump began his speech by correctly predicting that it would be difficult to get Democrats to stand, clap, or cheer for anything he had to say.
‘I look at the Democrats in front of me and realize—there’s nothing I can say to make them happy, stand, smile, or applaud.’ Trump said.
Al Green interrupted Trump’s speech early on waving his cane and repeatedly shouting at the president until Speaker Mike Johnson had him removed from the chamber.
Some Democrats sat quietly holding up signs declaring the president a ‘liar.’ Other were more vocal as they shouted ‘lies’ and ‘you’re lying’ as he spoke.
- Trump backs Elon Musk’s work at DOGE
The President voiced his support for the work of DOGE and Elon Musk’s role in rooting out waste, fraud, and abuse in government.
It was a strong show of support even as Musk has faced the brunt of opposition among Democrats for his efforts.
Even some Congressional Republicans have voiced their disappointment with how Musk has handled some of the cuts.
Musk was present for the speech and gave a much different salute to the president and the Republican lawmakers who applauded his efforts.
Trump spent a significant part of his speech highlighting some of the egregious waste found in the federal government sending the message that DOGE is here to stay.
- Trump highlights early victories on border enforcement
President Trump delighted in sharing good news on border enforcement in his first month as president, even without Congress.
‘Turns out all we really needed was a new President,’ he said in a line that drew laughter and applause from Republicans in the audience.
- Trump’s announcement on terrorist arrest
He announced the arrest of one of the terrorists behind the Abbey Gate attack in Afghanistan.
‘We have just apprehended the top terrorist responsible for that atrocity, and he is right now on his way here to face the swift sword of American justice,’ Trump announced.
- Awards honourary Secret Service status to young cancer survivor
President Trump honoured several guests in his box, but one of the most heartwarming was his special tribute to a young 13-year-old cancer survivor who dreamed of being a police officer.
Trump surprised him by having his Secret Service director Sean Curren hand the boy a badge and making him an honorary agent.
It was a touching moment, even as some Democrats had already left the speech in protest.
- Trump recognises Laken Riley and welcomes members of her family
President Joe Biden’s State of the Union address last year was remarkable after protesting Republicans successfully demanded that the president acknowledge the death of Laken Riley, a 22-year-old Georgia nursing student who was murdered weeks earlier by Jose Antonio Ibarra, a Venezuelan migrant who entered the country illegally.
This year, Trump brought Laken’s mother, Allyson Phillips, and her sister, Lauren Phillips to the first lady’s box to recognize their loss and promise to do more to enforce the border.
- Trump signals willingness to negotiate with Ukraine
Trump signaled he would allow Zelensky to return to the negotiating table despite the disruptive meeting in the Oval Office on Friday that led Trump to order him to leave.
Trump revealed he received a letter from Zelensky telling the United States he was willing to negotiate.
‘Wouldn’t that be beautiful?’ Trump asked. ‘It’s time to stop this madness. … If you want to end wars you have to talk to both sides.’
When Trump noted that Biden had sent hundreds of billions of dollars to support Ukraine, Democrats clapped.
‘You want to keep it going another 5 years?’ Trump asked.
‘Yeah, Pocahontas says yes,’ Trump said, zinging Warren who remained clapping on camera.
- Trade war will cause ‘a little disturbance’
Following a second day of market turbulence, Trump played down the potential economic fallout from a trade war he ignited this week, including 25% tariffs on Mexico and Canada, and an additional 10% on Chinese imports.
But in contrast with the ovations that greeted his other policy objectives, many Republicans remained seated, a sign of how Trump’s import taxes have divided his party.
“Tariffs are about making America rich again and making America great again,” he said.
“And it’s happening. And it will happen rather quickly. There’ll be a little disturbance, but we’re okay with that. It won’t be much.”
Trump added that reciprocal tariffs tailored to US trading partners would “kick in” on 2 April.
Earlier in the day, US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick told Fox Business that Trump could announce a trade deal with Mexico and Canada as soon as Wednesday.
During his inaugural address in January, Trump promised his administration would begin deporting “millions and millions” of immigrants with criminal records.
The number of migrants illegally crossing the southern border fell last month to the lowest level in at least 25 years.
But the Republican president has reportedly been frustrated by the pace of removals, which have so far failed to surpass the numbers deported during Biden’s last year in office.
- Wildlife refuge renamed for murder victim
During the speech, Trump announced he had renamed a Texas wildlife refuge after a Houston girl who was allegedly killed by undocumented immigrants.
Jocelyn Nungaray, 12, was found dead in June 2024 after she was reported missing. Alexis Nungaray, her mother, was a guest of First Lady Melania Trump during the president’s speech.
During his inaugural address in January, Trump promised his administration would begin deporting “millions and millions” of immigrants with criminal records.
The number of migrants illegally crossing the southern border fell last month to the lowest level in at least 25 years.
But the Republican president has reportedly been frustrated by the pace of removals, which have so far failed to surpass the numbers deported during Biden’s last year in office.
- Claims he is tackling inflation
Trump said one of his top priorities was to fix the economy and help working families. He promised to cut costs on eggs and energy by reorganising the federal government, blaming former President Joe Biden for the problem.
“Joe Biden especially let the price of eggs get out of control. The egg prices [are] out of control, and we’re working hard to get it back down,” Trump said.
Trump’s Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins told The Wall Street Journal in late February that the administration was planning to invest $1bn in trying to control egg prices — using a combination of payouts to struggling farmers, increased egg imports, and no scientific research into avian flu to better tackle its effects.
Egg prices started soaring amid the mass culling of chickens in recent years because of avian flu. That practice has continued under Trump, and egg prices have continued to rise under the current administration.
In late February, eggs on average cost $4.95 a dozen — double what they cost a year ago under Biden, according to the Bureau of Labour Statistics.
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