President Donald Trump delivered a fiery address to a joint session of the US Congress, marking his first speech to lawmakers since returning to the White House in January. Declaring “The American Dream is unstoppable,” Trump outlined his second-term vision in the longest presidential speech to Congress on record.
The high-energy address, which lasted over 100 minutes, saw Republicans cheering his achievements while Democrats jeered and staged walkouts. From economic policies to foreign relations and trade wars, here are the seven biggest takeaways from the night.
1. “Thank You, Elon”: Trump Praises Musk’s Government Overhaul
Trump acknowledged billionaire adviser Elon Musk early in his speech, crediting him with spearheading cost-cutting efforts in the federal government. Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency has reportedly fired thousands of federal employees, slashed foreign aid, and reduced government spending.
Wearing a dark suit and blue tie, Musk stood and acknowledged the cheers. “Thank you, Elon,” Trump said. “He’s working very hard. He didn’t need this.” The president highlighted specific spending cuts, including an $8 million grant for LGBTQI+ programs in Lesotho, which he mocked as unnecessary.
Democrats held up protest signs, including “Musk steals” and “False.” While Musk’s task force claims $105 billion in savings, only $18.6 billion has been documented, with reports of accounting discrepancies.
2. Democrats Jeer as Congressman Ejected
Within minutes of Trump’s speech, Texas Democrat Al Green was removed from the chamber for persistent heckling. Other Democratic lawmakers held signs reading “This is a lie,” while many women wore pink pantsuits in protest. Some even walked out mid-speech.
Amid the tension, Trump remarked, “There is absolutely nothing I can say to make them happy.” Meanwhile, Democratic Senator Elissa Slotkin of Michigan delivered the party’s official rebuttal, accusing Trump of giving “unprecedented giveaways to billionaire friends” and warning that his policies could “walk us right into a recession.”
3. Zelensky’s ‘Important Letter’ to Trump
Trump revealed he had received an “important letter” from Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky, which coincided with Zelensky’s public statement pledging to work under Trump’s “strong leadership” to negotiate an end to the war.
This diplomatic shift came just one day after Trump suspended all military aid to Ukraine. The move followed a tense Oval Office meeting where Trump and Zelensky clashed over economic partnerships before scrapping a minerals trade deal. Trump had reportedly hoped to announce the deal during his speech but was unable to do so.
4. Trade War: ‘A Little Disturbance’ but No Cause for Alarm
Addressing market turbulence triggered by his trade policies, Trump downplayed concerns over his new tariffs: 25% on Mexico and Canada, 10% on Chinese imports.
“Tariffs are about making America rich again and making America great again,” he said. “There’ll be a little disturbance, but we’re okay with that.” While some Republicans remained seated during this segment, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick later hinted that a trade deal with Mexico and Canada could be finalized soon.
5. Biden Blamed for Rising Egg Prices
With inflation a major issue for voters, Trump pinned high egg prices on his predecessor, Joe Biden.
“We inherited an economic catastrophe and an inflation nightmare,” he said. He specifically cited Biden’s policies that led to the mass culling of egg-laying birds during a bird flu outbreak. While inflation has dropped from 9.1% in 2022 to 3% last month, public discontent remains high—only one in three Americans approve of Trump’s handling of the cost of living, according to a Reuters/Ipsos survey.
6. Heartwarming Moment: 13-Year-Old Cancer Survivor Becomes a ‘Secret Service Agent’
One of the most viral moments of the night came when Trump honored 13-year-old DJ Daniel, a brain cancer survivor who dreams of becoming a police officer.
In an emotional twist, Trump announced that DJ would be sworn in as an honorary member of the Secret Service, receiving a badge from director Sean Curran—one of the agents who protected Trump during the Butler, Pennsylvania assassination attempt last July. Even some Democrats stood to applaud the moment.
7. Wildlife Refuge Renamed After Murder Victim
Trump used his speech to address immigration policy, announcing that a Texas wildlife refuge had been renamed in memory of Jocelyn Nungaray, a 12-year-old allegedly killed by undocumented immigrants.
Nungaray’s mother was in attendance as a guest of First Lady Melania Trump. Trump reiterated his promise to deport “millions and millions” of criminal immigrants, though deportations have yet to surpass levels from Biden’s last year in office. Despite the rhetoric, illegal crossings at the southern border dropped to a 25-year low last month.
Final Thoughts: Trump’s Vision for His Second Term
Trump’s speech reinforced his administration’s key policies: economic nationalism, aggressive immigration enforcement, and a shake-up of foreign alliances. While Republicans lauded his initiatives, Democrats fiercely opposed them, setting the stage for a deeply polarized election season.
With trade wars, inflation, and foreign diplomacy dominating headlines, Trump’s message was clear: He is just getting started.