In what became the longest-ever address of its kind, President Donald Trump provided his update on America as part of his State of the Union address, offering victorious – and sometimes combative – remarks, praising the work of fellow Republicans and outlining his future agenda.
The annual address by the president is made to members of the US Congress, his cabinet, members of the Supreme Court – along with the president’s family and other guests.
The speech came at a particularly pivotal time for the president as tensions flare over Iran, and just days after his global tariffs programme was struck down by the nation’s highest court.
There are also continued worries over affordability in the US – which is considered by pundits to be an issue that could cause Trump’s Republican Party to lose full control of the US Congress in midterm elections later this year.
Here are several key moments from his evening in the spotlight, speaking to a sharply divided Congress and an audience of tens of millions of Americans.
1. Speech sets record for length – focusing on domestic issues and touching on Iran
Trump’s speech made a number of claims about the economy, which he said was “roaring like never before”, and he said the US now had “the strongest and most secure border in American history”.
He said his achievements in office so far meant that he had transformed the US from a nation in crisis into the “hottest” country on Earth.
Clocking in at a record one hour and 47 minutes, Trump’s address beat the previous record-holder, by Bill Clinton, by nearly 20 minutes.
On the international front, Trump repeated a warning to Iran over nuclear weapons, though he touched on the subject for a relatively brief time and left lawmakers guessing over what would happen if ongoing diplomatic talks broke down.
He said at least 20,000 protesters had been killed during a recent crackdown in Iran. He added that Tehran had already developed missiles that can threaten Europe and could soon reach the US. Iran’s leaders were working on “pursuing their sinister nuclear ambitions”, he added.
An Iranian foreign minister spokesperson said: “No one should be fooled by these blatant falsehoods”.
2. Trump comes face-to-face with justices who struck down his tariffs
It was the first time that Trump – at least publicly – came into contact with members of the Supreme Court since he railed against their decision on Friday. The US top court struck down the bulk of his global tariffs, saying he had overstepped his authority.
All of the court’s justices are invited to the president’s state of the union address, but on Tuesday evening, only four of the nine were present: Chief Justice John Roberts and Justices Amy Coney Barrett, Elena Kagan and Brett Kavanaugh.
As is customary, Trump shook the hand of Roberts as he moved to the podium, but the pair shared a stoic look – a possible sign of the lingering tension since the president lambasted the six justices, Roberts included, who ruled against the levies.
Later, when Trump referenced that ruling and his tariffs policy directly in his remarks, he again chastised the justices, though not as harshly as he had previously. The camera in the room pointed in the direction of Justice Coney Barrett – who was nominated by Trump during his first term and was among the group who ruled against the president.
She remained emotionless as Trump called the ruling “disappointing” and “unfortunate”, staring in the direction of the justices sitting just feet away from him in the front row of the chamber.
Trump continued, saying he would turn to other laws to push his tariff policy ahead – including the new global rate of 15% that he said would replace those struck down by the high court.
3. Democrat ejected from the room… again
It’s become almost routine for the president’s annual address to lead to protests from the opposing party.
Dozens of Democrats, including some in party leadership positions, skipped Trump’s speech and instead attended a handful of rallies in Washington to show their opposition to the president and his agenda.
Inside the chamber, the lack of Democrats on one side of the aisle was visibly clear with rows of empty seats seen from many camera angles.
Some of the remaining Democrats in the room also lodged their own protests.
Congressman Al Greene, of Texas, was escorted out of the chamber – for a second year in a row. As Trump entered the chamber, Greene held up a white sign emblazoned with black lettering reading, “black people aren’t apes!”
The sign appeared to be referencing a racist video posted and subsequently deleted by Trump on social media, showing former President Barack Obama and former First Lady Michelle Obama as apes.
The sign and the lawmaker’s shouting led to him being escorted from the chamber by several officials. During Trump’s address last year, Greene was also escorted out after shouting.
Congresswoman Ilhan Omar, a Democrat from Minnesota, was also repeatedly heard shouting at the president as he referenced immigration and alleged fraud in Minnesota’s Somali-American communities.
“That’s a lie, you’re a liar,” Omar shouted as Trump spoke over her. Rashida Tlaib, a Democrat from Michigan, joined in with heckles of her own.
During the official Democratic response, Virginia Governor Abigail Spanberger set out three questions she wanted Americans to ask themselves: was the president working to make life more affordable, was he keeping America safe at home and abroad, and was the president working for them.
The answer to all three was no, Spanberger said.
4. ‘Stand up’ moment highlights gulf with political rivals
Amid the Democratic heckles, Trump taunted his political opponents – including with a moment that was designed to visually highlight the political gulf between the two parties.
At one point, he asked those in the audience – which was largely made up of members of Congress – to stand if they agreed with this sentence: “The first duty of the American government is to protect American citizens, not illegal aliens”.
Cameras panned around the room and showed Republicans on their feet cheering, while the other half of the room was seated motionless.
Trump noted several times that Democrats were not cheering or standing as he listed off his administration’s actions and policy wins.
“You should be ashamed of yourself, not standing up,” he said.
He also said at one point: “These people are crazy. I’m telling you. They’re crazy.”
5. Victorious hockey stars introduced to chants of ‘U-S-A, U-S-A’
Trump’s speech was filled with patriotism – and he noted that celebrations were planned for later in the year for the country’s 250th anniversary.
In a movie-like entrance, the US men’s hockey team descended into the House chamber, from an overhang where members of the press were seated above Trump.
Those in the audience erupted in applause and chants of “U-S-A, U-S-A”.
The team’s appearance was teased this week in the wake of the gold-medal overtime victory against Canada on Sunday in the Winter Olympics.
Trump applauded the team’s victory as they looked on the chamber, gold medals in hand, and announced that Connor Hellebuyck, goalie of the team, would receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom – America’s highest civilian honour.
Earlier this week, the president said that if he did not also invite the women’s team – who also won gold – he “probably would be impeached”.
The women’s team said it was unable to attend the speech, but Trump made a point during his address of saying the victorious players would soon visit the White House.
6. More honours for National Guards shot in Washington, and Venezuela raid pilot
Among the others decorated during a night of showmanship and special guests were two young National Guard members who were shot while patrolling in Washington DC late last year.
Andrew Wolfe, 24, who was injured, and the family of Sarah Beckstrom, 20, who was killed, were given Purple Heart military decorations.
Trump said Wolfe had “battled back from the edge of death”.
Trump also announced that a Medal of Honour was being given to Chief Warrant Officer Eric Slover, a helicopter pilot who was hit by a bullet during the dramatic US military operation earlier this year to seize Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro from Caracas.
Among the other special guests were an emotional Erika Kirk, the widow of political activist Charlie Kirk, who was shot dead last year and received a tribute of his own from Trump.
By BBC News
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