WASHINGTON, D.C. — President Donald Trump delivered a fiery and lengthy address to a joint session of Congress on Tuesday, marking his first major speech since returning to power. In a session filled with applause and protest, Trump laid out a bold agenda for his second term, touching on trade, foreign policy, and domestic priorities.
The speech, which lasted over 100 minutes, was the longest presidential address to Congress on record. During his address, Trump declared, “The American Dream is unstoppable,” as he reiterated his commitment to reshaping the federal government, slashing spending, and reasserting American dominance on the global stage.
A significant focus of the address was Trump’s controversial tariff strategy. He announced the imposition of 25% tariffs on imports from Canada and Mexico, which took effect Tuesday, and an increase in tariffs on Chinese goods to 20%. Despite criticism from international leaders and concerns about economic fallout, Trump defended his approach, saying, “Tariffs are about making America rich again and making America great again.”
The address was rife with conflict, as Democratic lawmakers frequently interrupted Trump, with some holding protest signs and staging walkouts. Representative Al Green of Texas was escorted out of the chamber for disrupting the speech, a move that highlighted the deep partisan divide in the room.
In a notable moment, Trump revealed he had received an “important letter” from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, expressing a willingness to negotiate peace with Russia under Trump’s leadership. This followed Trump’s controversial decision to pause military aid to Ukraine, a decision that has sparked international concern and bolstered Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Trump’s speech also highlighted domestic issues. He praised billionaire Elon Musk, who leads the Department of Government Efficiency, for cutting federal spending, a move that has led to significant layoffs. He also sought to shift blame for rising egg prices onto his predecessor, Joe Biden, despite ongoing challenges such as the avian flu affecting poultry supplies.
The evening’s lighter moments included Trump naming 13-year-old DJ Daniel, a cancer survivor, an honorary Secret Service agent, receiving cheers from both sides of the aisle. Yet, the tensions returned as Trump closed his speech with promises of further sweeping changes, urging Congress to back his ambitious agenda.
The Democratic response, delivered by Senator Elissa Slotkin of Michigan, criticized Trump’s economic policies as benefiting billionaires at the expense of average Americans. Slotkin called for a balanced approach to government efficiency that does not endanger public services or workers.
In the wake of the speech, international and domestic leaders continue to respond to Trump’s ambitious plans and bold rhetoric, setting the stage for a contentious political environment as his administration seeks to implement its vision for the country.
