President Donald Trump’s joint address to Congress on Tuesday night adhered to the traditions of an annual political spectacle, but it did not heal the deep divisions splitting the country.
“Mr. Speaker, the President of the United States,” the House sergeant at arms said, one of the few conventional moments of the night. Trump’s arrival in the House chamber was greeted with roaring cheers by his supporters, but his speech widened the national divide.
For millions of Americans, Trump’s second term represents a new golden age, while for millions more it would presage the disintegration of the country they love. His remarks resembled his campaign rallies, dealing in broad rhetoric, dubious assertions and incendiary partisan broadsides.
Meanwhile, the Democrats’ weakness was on vivid display. Some officers of the government boycotted the address while those seated were visibly sullen and discontent, opting for the silent treatment. Texas Rep. Al Green broke the tension, rising to heckle Trump with his cane raised. He ignored a call to sit and was forcibly ejected amid cheers from Republicans in the chamber. Other Democrats held up signs that read “liar” and “false,” and other Democrats walked out. Their patchwork resistance merely laid bare their political woes against an empowered Trump.
Presidential addresses have become increasingly contentious through the years, most recently when Republican lawmakers disrupted Democratic Presidents Barack Obama and Joe Biden. Trump’s speech was no different. But he did stage a few moments of emotional appeal, like when he recognized 13-year-old brain cancer survivor DJ Daniel by swearing him in as an honorary Secret Service agent.
But despite these gestures, Trump made little effort to unify the country. Instead, he blamed Democrats for divisiveness as a nation, failing to note his own contribution to division. He regularly took aim at Biden, casting him as a failed leader, and he even used a racial slur against Senator Elizabeth Warren.
“This is my fifth speech to Congress and I understand that there is nothing I can say to appease the far-Left, who are determined to undermine everything that we have done,” Trump proclaimed. “I could cure the most horrible disease, I could create the strongest economy — and I could end crime, all of it — and they wouldn’t even clap or cheer.”
Trump’s address reaffirmed that he has a grip on a slice of America that feels more like him with his status as a nationalist, anti-globalist, anti-“woke” avatar. He represents not just himself, but a political movement defined by isolationism, harsh immigration policies and a deep Wilsonian distrust of government institutions.
His early months in office have been the most aggressive since the Roosevelt presidency, although FDR’s reforms had more staying power. Trump’s “common sense” platform includes extreme economic and foreign policies, most notably huge new tariffs on Canada and Mexico, Musk’s cutback on government oversight and even the ludicrous live pitch for Greenland to break away from Denmark and become part of the United States (polls show that Greenlanders aren’t interested).
For Trump’s supporters, this is evidence that “America is back.’ His address acknowledged their belief that he is doing what he promised. “Our country is ready for a comeback the likes of which the world has never seen before,” he declared. “It has been fast moving and relentless action.”
But his boldest campaign promise — arresting inflation — remains unfulfilled. Trump blamed Biden for the high cost of groceries, neglecting to mention the true culprit for rising egg prices: an outbreak of bird flu. And he did not touch on the recent stock market swoon sparked by his 25 percent tariffs, which have spooked the prospect of a trade war.
Trump is a savior, according to his supporters. But to many others, his policies present an existential threat to American democracy. His fondness for strongmen is coupled with an eye-popping indifference to democratic norms and a naked ambition to consolidate power.
Senator Elissa Slotkin of Michigan, in the Democratic response, accused Trump of pursuing economic policies that would harm everyday Americans. She also criticized his relationship with President Vladimir Putin of Russia, saying Ronald Reagan “would be rolling in his grave.”
And after months of warning signs, Trump’s movement isn’t slowing down. “We’ve only just begun,” he declared.
As the United States marches on, the political rage and contention of the Trump age will only heat up. Whether his presidency represents a renewal or a rupture of American ideals is a question history will have to answer.
“Mr. Speaker, the President of the United States,” the House sergeant at arms said, one of the few conventional moments of the night. Trump’s arrival in the House chamber was greeted with roaring cheers by his supporters, but his speech widened the national divide.
For millions of Americans, Trump’s second term represents a new golden age, while for millions more it would presage the disintegration of the country they love. His remarks resembled his campaign rallies, dealing in broad rhetoric, dubious assertions and incendiary partisan broadsides.
MAGA’s Dominance and Democratic Resistance
Trump stood on the House dais with Vice President JD Vance and Speaker Mike Johnson — a picture of how the Republican Party has transformed into a personal movement for Trump. Below them sat the Senate majority leader, John Thune, and the conservative Supreme Court justices, a testament to the G.O.P.’s grip on government institutions.Meanwhile, the Democrats’ weakness was on vivid display. Some officers of the government boycotted the address while those seated were visibly sullen and discontent, opting for the silent treatment. Texas Rep. Al Green broke the tension, rising to heckle Trump with his cane raised. He ignored a call to sit and was forcibly ejected amid cheers from Republicans in the chamber. Other Democrats held up signs that read “liar” and “false,” and other Democrats walked out. Their patchwork resistance merely laid bare their political woes against an empowered Trump.
Presidential addresses have become increasingly contentious through the years, most recently when Republican lawmakers disrupted Democratic Presidents Barack Obama and Joe Biden. Trump’s speech was no different. But he did stage a few moments of emotional appeal, like when he recognized 13-year-old brain cancer survivor DJ Daniel by swearing him in as an honorary Secret Service agent.
But despite these gestures, Trump made little effort to unify the country. Instead, he blamed Democrats for divisiveness as a nation, failing to note his own contribution to division. He regularly took aim at Biden, casting him as a failed leader, and he even used a racial slur against Senator Elizabeth Warren.
“This is my fifth speech to Congress and I understand that there is nothing I can say to appease the far-Left, who are determined to undermine everything that we have done,” Trump proclaimed. “I could cure the most horrible disease, I could create the strongest economy — and I could end crime, all of it — and they wouldn’t even clap or cheer.”
A New Era of Trumpism
As CNN’s David Axelrod noted: “Speaking of gulfs, the divide between the parties might properly be called the Gulf of America.”Trump’s address reaffirmed that he has a grip on a slice of America that feels more like him with his status as a nationalist, anti-globalist, anti-“woke” avatar. He represents not just himself, but a political movement defined by isolationism, harsh immigration policies and a deep Wilsonian distrust of government institutions.
His early months in office have been the most aggressive since the Roosevelt presidency, although FDR’s reforms had more staying power. Trump’s “common sense” platform includes extreme economic and foreign policies, most notably huge new tariffs on Canada and Mexico, Musk’s cutback on government oversight and even the ludicrous live pitch for Greenland to break away from Denmark and become part of the United States (polls show that Greenlanders aren’t interested).
For Trump’s supporters, this is evidence that “America is back.’ His address acknowledged their belief that he is doing what he promised. “Our country is ready for a comeback the likes of which the world has never seen before,” he declared. “It has been fast moving and relentless action.”
But his boldest campaign promise — arresting inflation — remains unfulfilled. Trump blamed Biden for the high cost of groceries, neglecting to mention the true culprit for rising egg prices: an outbreak of bird flu. And he did not touch on the recent stock market swoon sparked by his 25 percent tariffs, which have spooked the prospect of a trade war.
The Threat to America’s Institutions
Much of Trump’s speech was predictable in terms of misstatements. He shamelessly lied that he inherited an economy in shambles, inflated the aid provided to Ukraine while Biden was in office and repeated a thoroughly debunked claim that foreign governments are emptying their prisons into the United States.Trump is a savior, according to his supporters. But to many others, his policies present an existential threat to American democracy. His fondness for strongmen is coupled with an eye-popping indifference to democratic norms and a naked ambition to consolidate power.
Senator Elissa Slotkin of Michigan, in the Democratic response, accused Trump of pursuing economic policies that would harm everyday Americans. She also criticized his relationship with President Vladimir Putin of Russia, saying Ronald Reagan “would be rolling in his grave.”
And after months of warning signs, Trump’s movement isn’t slowing down. “We’ve only just begun,” he declared.
As the United States marches on, the political rage and contention of the Trump age will only heat up. Whether his presidency represents a renewal or a rupture of American ideals is a question history will have to answer.
