Trump’s address to Congress: Key takeaways from Donald Trump’s speech Today World News

President Donald Trump addresses a joint session of Congress at the Capitol in Washington.
| Photo Credit: AP

Donald Trump declared that “America is back” during his first address to a joint session of Congress following his return to power, encountering immediate opposition from Democratic members as he promoted his bold social and economic policies. He asserted that the “American dream is unstoppable.”

His remarks received enthusiastic applause from Republican Party members, particularly when he acknowledged Musk, who rose to acknowledge the Congress.

Also read: Trump address to Congress LIVE

Shortly after Trump began his remarks, Democratic Representative Al Green from Texas stood up and shouted that the president did not have a mandate. House Speaker Mike Johnson instructed the House Sergeant of Arms to remove Rep. Al Green for disturbing Trump’s speech. Green exited with the Sergeant of Arms. Some other Democratic lawmakers found an unobtrusive way to show protest with a collective fashion choice: pink clothing.

Here are some takeaways from Trump’s speech:

Trump calls Biden ‘the worst president’

Trump set a tone of division almost from his first words, calling his predecessor Joe Biden the worst president in history and chiding Democrats as so stinting in their praise of him they would not even grant him perfunctory applause. While keeping the blame on former President Joe Biden’s administration, Trump said that he would bring down, for example, the cost of eggs. “Joe Biden, especially, let the price of eggs get out of control,” Trump said. Trump also accused Biden of leaving him problems from previous administration.

Golden age of America

Trump began his speech amidst chants of “USA! USA!” and reflected on the initial 43 days of his administration. He declared that ‘America is back.’ In concluding his remarks, he reiterated his vision for ushering in a new era for the nation. “The golden age of America has only just begun,” he stated to Congress, wrapping up his speech after nearly 100 minutes of discourse.

Only two genders- male and female

Trump also spoke about a directive aimed at having the government acknowledge only two genders, alongside a prohibition on men participating in women’s sports, specifically directed at transgender athletes.

“I want Congress to pass a bill permanently banning and criminalizing sex changes on children and forever ending the lie that any child is trapped in the wrong body,” Trump said.

During his speech, the president asked Congress to limit gender-affirming surgeries performed on minors, though he offered few details. Some of Trump’s executive actions, meanwhile, have already been met by legal challenges.

Trump on Ukraine situation

Trump has been unsparing in his criticism of Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. But towards the end of his address, Trump read from a letter from Zelenskyy he had received earlier in the day. “The letter reads Ukraine is ready to come to the negotiating table as soon as possible to bring lasting peace closer,” Trump said. “Nobody wants peace more than the Ukrainians … My team and I stand ready to work under President Trump’s strong leadership to get a peace that lasts.”

It remains to be seen if the letter will mark a detente in the long-complicated Trump-Zelenskyy relationship.

Praising Musk

Trump lavished praise on Elon Musk, the billionaire who he has tasked with overhauling the federal government and work force. Democrats tried to verbally fact check the president by shouting “false” at some of his assertions of success.

Musk, seated in the gallery above, stood when Republicans applauded him. Democrats held signs that said “Musk steals.”

The president said that Musk has found “hundreds of billions of dollars of fraud,” vastly overstating his team’s accomplishments. For example, many canceled contracts were already fully paid, meaning the government received no savings.

Trump and tariffs

The stock market has been tumbling as Trump enacts tariffs on Canada and Mexico, critical trading partners that have been retaliating with their own levies. The dispute threatens to increase costs for American consumers even as the president promises to bring down prices.

Trump showed no interest in backing off, describing tariffs as integral to his political agenda.

“Tariffs are about making America rich again and making America great again. And it’s happening and it will happen rather quickly. There will be a little disturbance, but we’re ok with that.”

(With agency inputs)