Washington: President Donald Trump told Americans that the country is now in a “golden age” during his State of the Union speech on Tuesday night.
Speaking for 108 minutes — the longest State of the Union address in U.S. history — Trump said that when he returned to office, America was a “dead country.” Now, he said, it is the “hottest country anywhere in the world.”
“Our nation is back — bigger, better, richer, and stronger than ever before,” Trump said to members of Congress.
Trump Focuses on Economy and Investment
A large part of the speech was about the economy.
Trump said his administration brought in more than $18 trillion in new investment in just one year. He compared this to the previous administration under former President Joe Biden, which he claimed brought in much less.
He also talked about inflation, gas prices, and jobs. Trump said, “The state of our union is strong.”
However, many Americans are still worried about high living costs. Recent reports also show that economic growth has slowed in recent months.
Tariffs and Supreme Court Decision
Trump defended his tariff policy, even though the Supreme Court of the United States recently blocked some of his import taxes.
He called the court’s decision “unfortunate” and said he would use other legal options to continue tariffs. Trump said tariffs help America and that foreign countries pay for them. Many experts say American consumers often end up paying higher prices.
Strong Words for Democrats
During the speech, Trump sharply criticized Democrats.
He said Republicans passed the largest tax cuts in American history and claimed every Democrat voted against them. He also blamed Democrats for rising healthcare costs and problems linked to the Affordable Care Act, known as Obamacare.
Trump said he wants to give healthcare money directly to people instead of insurance companies.
Democrats pushed back during the speech. Representative Rashida Tlaib shouted criticism. Representative Al Green was removed after holding up a protest sign.
Later, Virginia Governor Abigail Spanberger gave the Democratic response. She warned that Trump’s tariffs could raise costs for families.
Immigration and Voting Rules
Immigration was another key topic.
Trump warned about illegal immigration and asked Congress to protect American citizens. He also called for stricter voter ID laws and limits on mail-in ballots.
His comments showed that immigration will remain a major issue in upcoming elections.
Emotional and Patriotic Moments
The speech also included emotional moments.
Trump invited the Olympic gold medal-winning U.S. men’s hockey team into the chamber. Lawmakers from both parties stood and applauded.
He gave the Presidential Medal of Freedom to goalie Connor Hellebuyck and awarded the Purple Heart to National Guard member Andrew Wolfe, who was injured while serving in Washington.
The moment reminded some people of 2020, when Trump gave the Medal of Freedom to radio host Rush Limbaughduring a State of the Union speech.
Warning to Iran
Trump also spoke about tensions with Iran.
He said he prefers diplomacy but will never allow Iran to get a nuclear weapon. He mentioned U.S. military actions abroad and spoke about strong American leadership overseas.
Political Pressure Ahead
Even with his confident speech, Trump faces political pressure.
Polls show his approval ratings are low. Republicans also hold only a small majority in the House. If Democrats win control in upcoming elections, they could block many of his plans.
Still, Trump ended his speech with confidence.
“After just one year, we have achieved a transformation like no one has ever seen before,” he said.
As elections approach, voters will decide whether they agree with Trump’s view that America is stronger than ever — or whether they believe change is needed again.
Erin Blanchard graduated from Queens University with a BA in Arts. Erin grew up in Ottawa, but moved to Kingston for her studies. Erin has written for several major publications including the CBC and the Toronto Star. Erin is a community reporter and also covers stories important health developments important to Canadians..
