After an intense six weeks back in the White House, President Trump delivered a bold and partisan speech to a joint session of Congress on Tuesday night.
Lasting just under 100 minutes, it became the longest such address in modern history. The speech also saw a Democratic lawmaker being ejected, multiple Democrats walking out at different points, and a Republican Party that stood firmly behind its president.
Here are six major takeaways from the speech:
- Trump Praised His Actions So Far, Including Controversial Moves
“America is back,” Trump declared at the start of his speech. Ironically, this was the same phrase Joe Biden used at the beginning of his presidency following Trump’s first term.
The similarity highlights the deep division in the country regarding its values, identity, and direction for the future.
Trump has pursued what he describes as a “commonsense revolution,” characterized by “swift and unrelenting action.” This effort has been led by Elon Musk and his Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), with Trump spotlighting and praising Musk’s initiatives. These moves have been popular among the GOP base but strongly opposed by many others, including independents.
A recent NPR/PBS News/Marist poll showed that only 34% of independents approve of Trump’s performance, and Musk and DOGE received the same 34% favorability rating. Additionally, two-thirds of respondents felt that Trump was implementing changes too quickly without fully considering their impact on the federal government.
- A Speech Geared Toward MAGA Supporters, Not Bipartisanship
While Americans remain divided on Trump’s leadership, his speech did not attempt to bridge that divide. Instead, it focused primarily on issues that resonate with MAGA supporters.
Trump dismissed Democrats, referring to them as “these people” and “radical left lunatics.” He also used his controversial nickname “Pocahontas” when discussing Senator Elizabeth Warren and the ongoing war in Ukraine. Warren later responded, stating that she was applauding U.S. aid to Ukraine, which Trump has since halted.
Trump claimed that Democrats would never support his policies, so he concentrated on topics favored by his base, including the anti-trans culture war, opposition to pro-diversity programs, his push to make English the country’s official language, and his effort to rename North America’s highest peak back to Mount McKinley. (The peak was renamed Denali during Obama’s presidency to reflect the preferences of most Alaskans.)
“Our country will be woke no longer,” Trump proclaimed.
During his speech, Trump spoke more forcefully about cracking down on illegal immigration than about the economy and inflation—despite rising prices playing a crucial role in his 2024 election victory.
Presidents often receive more credit or blame for the economy than they deserve, as they have limited control over prices. However, one tool they do have—tariffs—can lead to higher prices in the short term, according to economists.
Trump’s speech coincided with the implementation of steep tariffs on Mexico and Canada. He defended these measures, calling tariffs essential to saving the “soul” of the country—a phrase Biden has also used but in a different context.
Experts, business owners, and most Americans disagree with Trump’s approach. In the NPR poll, conducted before the latest round of tariffs, 57% of respondents anticipated higher prices in the next six months. Additionally, more people believed Trump’s economic policies would worsen conditions rather than improve them.
Despite these concerns, Trump largely avoided discussing the economy, instead repeatedly blaming Biden. He mentioned the former president 13 times, stating, “Joe Biden especially let the price of eggs get out of control. The egg prices, out of control. And we’re working hard to get it back down.”
However, the recent spike in egg prices has primarily been attributed to a bird flu outbreak.
While it is common for presidents to blame their predecessors for economic struggles, accountability eventually shifts to the person currently in office.
- Numerous False or Misleading Claims
Trump made several inaccurate statements throughout his speech, many of which have been thoroughly fact-checked. NPR compiled an in-depth analysis of over 20 misleading claims.
Among the most notable were:
— Trump claimed DOGE uncovered “hundreds of billions” in fraud, but even DOGE’s own estimates do not support this figure. He exaggerated the amount even beyond what the agency itself reports.
— He alleged that numerous people over 120 years old were still receiving Social Security payments. However, even Trump’s own Social Security Administration head refuted this claim, clarifying that these individuals lack recorded death dates but are not fraudulently receiving benefits.
— Trump stated that tariffs on China during his first term generated trillions of dollars for the U.S. This is inaccurate. While tariffs were imposed on about $380 billion in goods, they did not result in a net economic gain. In fact, economists argue they may have harmed the GDP in the long run.
— Trump falsely claimed the U.S. spent $350 billion on the war in Ukraine. The actual amount is closer to $115 billion over three years, with some funds allocated to domestic weapons production rather than direct aid to Ukraine. While the U.S. has provided more military aid than any single country, European nations collectively have contributed around $130–140 billion.
- Legislative Priorities for the Republican-Led Congress
Trump outlined several policy requests, offering insight into his legislative agenda for the coming year. His asks included:
— Increased funding for deportations
— Another round of major tax cuts
— Enhanced police protections (with no mention of the January 6 attack on officers at the U.S. Capitol)
— A new crime bill
— A mandate for the death penalty for anyone convicted of murdering a police officer (noting that the death penalty varies by state)
— The creation of a “Golden Dome” missile defense system, similar to Israel’s Iron Dome but intended for U.S. use.
- Reality-TV-Style Moments, A Trump Staple
While this speech lacked some of the theatrics of past Trump addresses, it still included dramatic moments, such as:
— Announcing an executive order naming a wildlife refuge after a girl allegedly killed by undocumented immigrants.
— Naming a 13-year-old cancer survivor as an honorary Secret Service agent.
— Publicly recognizing a high school student’s acceptance to West Point.
— Declaring the capture of the suspect responsible for the Abbey Gate bombing in Afghanistan.
- Elissa Slotkin’s Response: A Speech for Democrats to Note
Michigan Senator Elissa Slotkin delivered what many consider one of the strongest rebuttals to a presidential address in recent history. Comparisons were drawn to former Senator Jim Webb’s fiery response to George W. Bush in 2007 during the Iraq War.
Unlike previous opposition responses, which have often been met with criticism, Slotkin’s speech was commanding and poised. Speaking before a backdrop of American flags, she leaned on her background as a former CIA officer and the daughter of a Republican father and Democratic mother. She also highlighted her success in a state that Trump won in 2024.
Slotkin emphasized that the “middle class is the engine of our country” and warned against reckless policymaking. She criticized Trump’s tax plans for benefiting billionaires at the expense of essential public programs. Additionally, she took aim at Musk and his team, accusing them of improperly accessing sensitive personal data.
“As a Cold War kid, I’m thankful it was Reagan and not Trump in office in the 1980s,” she remarked, referencing Trump’s handling of the war in Ukraine. “Trump would have lost us the Cold War.”
Slotkin’s speech provided a clear strategy for Democrats struggling to respond to Trump’s presidency. Her composed delivery stood in stark contrast to the chaotic reaction from Rep. Al Green, whose loud interruptions led to his removal from the chamber.
As Trump moves forward with his agenda, the battle lines in Washington appear more firmly drawn than ever.