President Donald Trump on Tuesday night local time delivered his first address to a joint session of Congress in his second term, outlining his legislative priorities and touting his administration's early accomplishments. The speech was marked by a mix of defiant optimism and criticism of his opponents.
Trump declared that his administration has accomplished more in the first 43 days than most administrations have in four years, emphasizing a 41-point jump in small-business optimism and a 27-point swing in public perception of the country's direction.
The president announced that he has signed nearly 100 executive orders and taken over 400 executive actions, which he described as a record. These actions were aimed at restoring "common sense, safety, optimism, and wealth" across the country.
Trump declared a national emergency on the southern border and deployed the U.S. military and border patrol to "repel the invasion." He noted that illegal border crossings last month were the lowest ever recorded.
The president proposed cutting taxes on domestic production and manufacturing, retroactive to January 20, 2025. He also announced tariffs on goods from Canada, Mexico, and China, stating that other countries have used tariffs against the U.S. for decades.
Trump also highligted his efforts against far woke ideology.
"We've ended the tyranny of so-called diversity, equity and inclusion policies all across the entire federal government and, indeed, the private sector and our military. And our country will be woke no longer." Trump said.
He continued, "We believe that whether you are a doctor, an accountant, a lawyer or an air traffic controller, you should be hired and promoted based on skill and competence, not race or gender. Very important."
The president noted, "I signed an order making it the official policy of the United States government that there are only two genders, male and female."
Trump also commented on the Russia-Ukraine war. He mentioned receiving a letter from Volodymyr Zelensky during his speech. In the letter, the Ukrainian president expressed readiness to sign a minerals deal and a willingness to engage in peace negotiations.
He read parts of the letter to Congress, stating, "We really do value how much America has done to help Ukraine maintain its sovereignty and independence. Regarding the agreement on minerals and security, Ukraine is ready to sign it at any time that is convenient for you." Trump appreciated the letter and indicated that it was a sign of warming relations between the two leaders following their contentious Oval Office meeting.
During his remarks about Ukraine Trump trolled far-left Democrat senator Elizabeth Warrem .who he called "Pocahontas."
“I’m also working tirelessly to end the savage conflict in Ukraine. Millions of Ukrainians and Russians have been needlessly killed or wounded in this horrific and brutal conflict with no end in sight," Trump said. "The United States has sent hundreds of billions of dollars to support Ukraine’s defense, with no security, with no anything.”
As Democrats in attendance started to applaud, Trump asked, “Do you want to keep it going for another five years? Yeah, you would say. Pocahontas says yes.”
The Republicans then burst into laughter as the camera turned to Warren, showing her smiling and clapping.
“Two thousand people are being killed every single week. More than that,” Trump continued. “They’re Russian young people, they’re Ukrainian young people, they’re not Americans, but I want it to stop. Meanwhile, Europe has sadly spent more money buying Russian oil and gas than they have spent on defending Ukraine, by far. Think of that.”
Trump has repeatedly referred to Warren as “Pocahontas,” in reference to the famous 17th century Native American woman, as part of a jab at Warren’s fraudulent claims to Native American ancestry.
In 2018, after he received criticism from Democrats over the nickname, Trump vowed to continue using it, arguing it was “too good to give up.”
During his speech Tuesday night, Trump called out Democrats' conduct in the chamber for heckling and disrupting, saying that they would not clap, stand, or cheer for any of his achievements. Far-left Democrat Congressman Al Green was removed from the chamber for standing up and loudly interrupting Trump.
The president called on Democrats to join in celebrating "incredible wins for America" for the good of the nation.
During the speech, Trump honored DJ Daniel, a 13-year-old cancer patient who dreams of becoming a police officer. Trump introduced DJ to the audience, noting that DJ was diagnosed with brain cancer in 2018 and given only five months to live, but has since surpassed that prognosis by over six years.
In a heartwarming moment, Trump announced that Daniels would be sworn in as an honorary Secret Service agent in a moment that drew cheers from Republicans in the House gallery.
“He has always dreamed of becoming a police officer. But in 2018, DJ was diagnosed with brain cancer,” Trump said, before adding: “And tonight, DJ, we’re going to do you the biggest honor of them all.”
Critics slammed Democrat congressmembers in attendance, who refused to give a standing ovation as the president introduced DJ Daniel, and victims of crimes by illegal aliens.
Far-left MSNBC host Nicolle Wallace also faced backlash as critics online called for her firing and an apology over her distasteful comments about DJ Daniel.
“I hope he’s alive for another 95 years and I hope he lives the life he wants to live. He wants to be a cop, he knows what he wants to do and maybe when you have childhood cancer that crystallizes for you,” Wallace said.
Then, in a reference to the Jan. 6 Capitol riots, Wallace said: “I hope he never has to defend the United States Capitol against Donald Trump’s supporters and if he does, I hope he isn’t one of the six who loses his life to suicide.”
Trump also slammed Democrats in post on Truth Social Wednesday. “The Democrats should lose the Midterms based on their behavior at last night’s Joint Address to Congress,” he wrote. “All Republicans must use their behavior on men in women’s sports, their very dangerous Open Border policy, High Energy and Taxes, and much else.”
He continued, “Also, Republicans should utilize the footage provided on the total disrespect they showed to all of those that were honored that night, including young ladies who were killed by illegal migrants, people with terminal cancer, etc. They didn’t even have the common courtesy to stand, smile, or applaud. This could be, on analyzing the full tape of this Historic Event, your full CAMPAIGN TO VICTORY!”
The speech was delivered to the 119th United States Congress, presided over by House Speaker Mike Johnson and Vice President JD Vance. It was not officially a State of the Union address because it was the first address in Trump's second nonconsecutive term. Presidents typically do not designate their first speech in a new term as a State of the Union.
