Updated: Trump’s Speech to Congress both Divisive and Defiant \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ President Donald Trump’s speech to Congress was sharply partisan, focusing on election victories, tariffs, and culture wars while criticizing Democrats and inflating his accomplishments. He clashed with Rep. Al Green, praised Elon Musk, and blamed Biden for rising egg prices. Trump also doubled down on tariffs, ignoring Wall Street’s concerns, and signaled a shift in his stance on Ukraine after days of pressuring President Zelenskyy.
Trump’s Congressional Speech Quick Looks
- Trump set a divisive tone, boasting about his election victory and attacking Democrats and Joe Biden.
- Rep. Al Green (D-TX) was ejected after shouting at Trump and shaking his cane toward the president.
- Trump inflated his electoral win, despite it being one of the narrowest in history.
- He linked himself to George Washington, portraying his early second-term moves as historic achievements.
- Trump read a letter from Ukraine’s President Zelenskyy, signaling potential peace talks after previously freezing U.S. aid.
- Blaming Biden for high egg prices, Trump ignored the impact of bird flu, which has devastated flocks nationwide.
- Elon Musk was a key figure in the speech, with Trump praising his government efficiency efforts, while Democrats protested with “Musk Steals” signs.
- Trump ignored Wall Street losses caused by his tariffs on Canada and Mexico, instead promising they would “Make America Rich Again.”
- He proposed a “gold card” immigration program, allowing wealthy foreigners to buy U.S. citizenship for $5 million.
- Trump pushed for tax cuts on tips, overtime pay, and Social Security benefits, calling them working-class priorities.
- His tone has hardened since 2017, shifting from bipartisan cooperation to aggressive culture war policies and economic nationalism.
Deep Look
A Speech Unlike Traditional Presidential Addresses
Typically, a presidential speech to Congress—even one that is not a formal State of the Union—calls for unity and national strength.
But Trump took a different path.
Instead of a conciliatory tone, Trump relentlessly attacked Democrats, exaggerated his accomplishments, and pushed his political agenda with the tenacity of a campaign rally.
“There is absolutely nothing I can say to make them happy.”
From the opening moments, it was clear this was not an attempt to bridge divides, but to reinforce them.
Trump vs. Democrats: A Night of Clashes
Trump’s speech took an immediate partisan turn, beginning with a fiery attack on Joe Biden, calling him the worst president in history.
- Republicans stood and cheered his remarks.
- Democrats sat in silence, occasionally shouting back at Trump in defiance.
Al Green’s Fiery Protest
The most dramatic moment came when Rep. Al Green (D-TX) stood up, shook his cane at Trump, and shouted at him.
- House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) ordered Green removed after he refused to sit.
- Republicans jeered, chanting “Nah nah nah nah, goodbye!”
The moment underscored how deeply divided Congress remains, with partisan tensions at an all-time high.
Trump’s Ukraine Pivot: A Surprise Letter from Zelenskyy
For weeks, Trump had been relentless in his criticism of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
- He berated Zelenskyy in an Oval Office meeting last week for being ungrateful for U.S. aid.
- He abruptly ended a White House meeting where a U.S.-Ukraine trade deal was supposed to be signed.
- He then paused military aid to Ukraine, pressuring Zelenskyy to negotiate peace with Russia.
But in a surprising turn, Trump read aloud a letter from Zelenskyy during his speech:
“Ukraine is ready to come to the negotiating table as soon as possible to bring lasting peace closer.”
While it remains unclear if this signals a true shift in Trump’s Ukraine policy, it marks a moment of diplomacy in an otherwise confrontational speech.
Egg Prices & Inflation: Trump Blames Biden, Not Bird Flu
Trump tapped into voter frustrations over high grocery prices, specifically calling out the soaring cost of eggs.
“Joe Biden especially let the price of eggs get out of control.”
However, Trump ignored the actual cause—a devastating bird flu outbreak that has led to the slaughter of 166 million birds since 2022.
Even his own Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins warned last week that egg prices could surge another 40% this year due to the outbreak.
Meanwhile, the USDA announced an additional $1 billion in spending to contain the crisis, on top of the $2 billion already spent.
Elon Musk’s Influence & Democratic Backlash
A major presence in the speech was billionaire Elon Musk, whom Trump lavished with praise.
- Musk has been tasked with overhauling the federal government, leading a massive reduction in federal jobs.
- Trump claimed Musk uncovered “hundreds of billions” in government fraud, an exaggeration of his actual findings.
- Democrats protested, holding signs that read “Musk Steals” in reference to his controversial role in cutting Social Security spending.
Musk, seated in the gallery, stood to acknowledge Republican applause, while Democrats loudly objected.
“He was dressed more formally than usual,” one lawmaker quipped, as Musk ditched his signature black T-shirt for a dark suit and tie.
Tariff Wars: Trump Doubles Down Despite Market Panic
Trump has long touted tariffs as a key part of his economic agenda.
- His latest tariffs on Canada and Mexico have triggered retaliatory measures, causing economic uncertainty.
- Wall Street has reacted negatively, with stock market losses wiping out post-election gains.
- Mexico plans to announce retaliatory tariffs Sunday, while Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau mocked the move as “a very dumb thing to do.”
But Trump remained defiant, calling tariffs:
“A little disturbance, but we’re OK with that.”
Trump’s New ‘Gold Card’ for Wealthy Immigrants
In a controversial immigration proposal, Trump introduced a new “gold card” system, allowing wealthy individuals to buy U.S. citizenship for $5 million.
“It’s like the green card, but better and more sophisticated.”
At the same time, he focused on deporting criminals, marking a stark contrast in his immigration priorities.
Then vs. Now: Trump’s Hardline Evolution
A comparison to Trump’s first speech to Congress in 2017 shows just how much his tone has changed:
- 2017: Worked with Canada’s Trudeau to support women entrepreneurs.
- 2024: Feuding with Trudeau over tariffs.
- 2017: Called for “real and positive immigration reform”.
- 2024: Focused on mass deportations and a $5M citizenship price tag.
- 2017: Honored America’s civil rights movement.
- 2024: Denounced diversity and inclusion programs.
Conclusion: A Speech Defined by Division & Defiance
Trump’s address cemented his second-term priorities—pushing tariffs, attacking diversity, and shrinking the federal workforce.
His battle with Congress is only beginning, but one thing is clear:
Trump isn’t trying to unite America. He’s doubling down on his agenda—no matter the cost.
Updated: Trump’s Speech Updated: Trump’s Speech Updated: Trump’s Speech
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