United States President Donald Trump delivered a speech to Congress on Tuesday night local time, in which he repeatedly lashed out at Democrats and his predecessor Joe Biden, and said that "America is back."
During his speech – the longest by an American president before Congress at one hour and 40 minutes – Trump listed his achievements so far and reiterated that Greenland will "somehow" become part of the US.
"We have accomplished more in 43 days than most administrations have in four or eight years, and we are just getting started," he said, to thunderous applause from Republican members of parliament chanting "USA! USA! USA!"
US President Donald Trump looks on as Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth speaks during a cabinet meeting at the White House in Washington, DC, on February 26, 2025. Credit: Belga / AFP
The United States is "on the verge of a comeback the likes of which the world has never seen and may never see again," said Trump, congratulating himself on a new-found "pride" and "confidence" of Americans. "Nothing can stop the American dream."
Adjustment period
The American Congress seemed to be divided as never before, with the atmosphere quickly turning vitriolic. While Trump's jabs and quips were punctuated by standing ovations and laughter from the Republicans, his speech was interrupted by booing and heckling from the Democratic opposition several times.
In a rare occurrence in the annals of Congressional policy speeches, a Democrat was even expelled from the Chamber after protesting during the speech.
During the statement, Trump also made frequent reference to his import tariffs. He acknowledged that these will come with "an adjustment period," but stressed that they will help bring prosperity back to the United States.
At a time when Trump's ferocious trade offensive against Canada and Mexico is rocking the markets, he extolled his economic vision in front of a Congress dominated by his party. He also praised his policy of deporting illegal immigrants and assured them that "our country will no longer be 'woke'."
'Resist'
On Ukraine, the US president was fairly sparse. He merely stated that he had received a letter from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy indicating his willingness to come around the negotiating table and sign the resource deal.
As the unusually long speech progressed, the Democratic ranks began to thin out. As she left, Texan Democrat Jasmine Crockett took off her jacket and showed Trump her back, with the word "Resist" emblazoned on her T-shirt.
A few hours before Trump arrived at the Capitol, a dozen or so demonstrators outside held up signs reading "Stand up to tyranny" and "Musk must go".
