CNN
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The first speech to Congress since President Donald Trump returned to power was the first 43 days of inauguration as a result, both attempts to justify what he had done to the American people who might still be digesting his rapid pace change, both of which were victory laps.
Regarding tariffs, government cuts and diplomacy, Trump took dramatic steps that made even Democrats and even some Republicans skeptical while the foreign capitals scramble to respond. Why was his job on Tuesday?
He did that – to some extent. However, the president used his speech to mercilessly attack his enemy, denounce the old frustration of his predecessor and air.
The president said a lot and entered the room. His speech broke the record of longtime presidential speeches to Congress in modern history, in just under an hour and forty minutes. It was also one of the most partisans, with few conventional calls for unity.
It was clear from the almost first words of Trump’s speech that it didn’t resemble many speeches to Congress in the past. He boasted about his election victory in November, attacking Democrats in his way, complaining that they would never praise his accomplishments.
“There’s absolutely nothing I can say to make them happy,” he said.
The drama expanded to audiences, and when Democrat Al Green repeatedly suspended President, House Speaker Mike Johnson ordered Sergeant to oust Texas lawmakers.
Early in Trump’s speech, it helped set a partisan vibe. Other Democrats opposed the leader’s call to show restraint by hugging the signs and leaving the room during their speech.
And the president has little attempt to lower the temperature. He pointed their way when referring to “radical left-wing madman,” and even used his dimly “Pocahontas” nickname on Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren.
Through his speech, Trump has promoted some of his most divisive executive actions, narrowing his base down to the issues of thrilling culture wars, pledging to eliminate “worry” from society.
He lamented what he called positive behavior inequity and promoted his efforts to roll back trans rights and diversity programs.
“We’re away from schools and the military, so we’re already out and it’s out of our society. We don’t want that,” Trump said. “The heart is difficult. It’s so bad. It’s gone.”
Trump used guests to illustrate his claims, including a female athlete, a parent of a child murdered by undocumented immigrants, and a mother who claims that his daughter, Trump, had “secretly made a social transition” at school.
Trump framed the move as part of his “common sense revolution,” but each issue seemed designed to appeal primarily to his base.
Instead of filling the partisan gap, the line highlights a permanent campaign mode that Trump runs, even if Trump is no longer running.
Enforcement actions to restructure the federal government have been raging in Trump’s first month and a half. His team is far more experienced this time, and the president himself is panicking to fulfill his campaign promises.
But for many Americans, the gust of change is a mess. Polls show skepticism about Trump’s priorities. Tuesday’s speech was an opportunity to present a compelling argument.
He chose to highlight billionaire Elon Musk, who was in charge of government efficiency efforts, who sat in the gallery.
“He’s working hard. He didn’t need this. He didn’t need this,” Trump said before pushing Democrats further. I believe they don’t want to admit it,” he said, pointing to Democrats.
Trump then recited a long list of programs whose funds were cut by Musk’s government efficiency, calling examples of fraud misleading. And he repeatedly claimed that a considerable number of dead Americans were receiving Social Security benefits.
While the Democrats in the audience held signs of Aloft saying “masks steal,” the president’s reading of the president’s efforts seemed to focus much more on the message about a program that reflects wasted taxpayer dollars than detailing actual government savings.
Hours before Trump’s speech, it wasn’t the economic background he might have wanted. The stock market fell as the wide range of tariffs he announced in Mexico, Canada and China echoed among investors. As soon as the market shuts down, his commerce secretary suggested that it could be taken over to a new role on Wednesday.
Nevertheless, Trump, who has defended tariffs since the 1970s and has once defended his favorite phrase, once called “tariffs,” has not retreated from his strategy during his biggest speech.
“Even if they are involved with us, we are involved with them. It’s reciprocal, before and after. Whatever they tax us, we tax them,” he said in his speech. “We’re taking trillions of dollars and trillions of dollars and creating jobs that we’ve never seen before.”
Many Republicans have deep reservations on tariffs. State lawmakers can also spend the phone call on Tuesday with Trump’s aides expressing their concerns. They wanted to hear from Trump a more complete explanation of his tariff plans and an explanation of how the average American would benefit.
Trump’s details are vague, and he repeatedly encouraged farmers and said he “has a lot of fun” selling products in the United States (feelings he expressed on social media this week).
However, he had made the point about tariff wisdom, even if they admitted it could cause economic pain.
“Taxes are about enriching America again, making America great again, and that’s happening and it’s going to happen pretty quickly,” he said. “There’s a bit of a hindrance, but that’s fine. That’s not that much.”
Trump has had little inevitable issues that have ruled the war in Ukraine last week.
“I also make tireless efforts to end the savage conflict in Ukraine,” Trump said.
At one point, Trump wanted to announce a new rare earth mineral trade with Ukraine during his speech. But last week, a flacs in an oval office with President Volodymyr Zelensky exploded it.
Instead, Trump has returned to his frustration about how much US money is being spent on the conflict.
However, he also responded aggressively to social media posts from Zelensky early on Tuesday. Trump mentioned a letter from the Ukrainian leader. Zelensky regrets the explosion on Friday and says he is ready to start peace talks.
“I’m grateful that he sent this letter,” he said without saying that he might try to talk to Zelensky again.
Trump has denounced his predecessor, former President Joe Biden, and former President Joe Biden, the central figure of his second president, for everything from higher prices to foreign conflicts.
Tuesday’s speech was no exception. He named Biden 12 times in his speech, and referred to his administration four more times. According to an excerpt from the speech, he accused Biden of leaving problems ranging from the high prices of eggs to approving too much money for Ukraine.
“You know, we inherited from our last administration from our economic catastrophe and inflation nightmare,” Trump said in his speech.
Then, last year, working on an attempt to pass the border bill, Trump said, instead of the new law, “all we really needed was a new president.”
All presidents inherit the obstacles left to them by the previous administration. But it remains to be seen how long Trump can blame Biden for the country’s ongoing challenges. Ultimately, voters turn to the office owner to solve their problems – they don’t blame anyone else.
Sen. Elissa Slotkin, a Michigan freshman who delivered a Democratic rebuttal, was assigned to one of the infamous, unappreciated jobs in politics.
She shortened it and kept it to the point. She was opened up by accusing Trump of taking a “reckless” and “chaotic” approach to reform the federal government.
Describing Zelensky’s oval office, she claimed that Ronald Reagan was “rolling in his grave.”
She admitted that Americans wanted change. But, she said, Trump’s change risks fundamental damage to the country.
Her factual approach contrasted with other Democrats who sought to lead anger against Trump.
Instead, Slotkin encouraged Democrats to accept action rather than anger. And Doom Scrolling doesn’t count,” she said.
This story has been updated with additional developments.
