President Trump on Tuesday sparred with Democratic lawmakers during an address to a joint session of Congress that began with a congressman being escorted out of the chamber and saw other Democrats leave the room as Trump spoke.
Trump spoke to lawmakers for more than one hour and 39 minutes, breaking a record for the longest such speech delivered in modern history. It included several unprecedented attacks on his predecessor, President Biden, and protests from many Democrats in the chamber.
The evening began with a rare scene, when Rep. Al Green (D-Texas), a regular Trump foil, stood to heckle the president after he boasted of his election victory.
“You don’t have a mandate,” Green called out, interrupting and briefly stopping Trump’s speech. When the congressman did not relent, Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) directed the Sergeant at Arms to remove Green from the chamber, drawing raucous applause from Republicans in the room.
The episode appeared to please both parties. Democrats were clearly ready to protest and push back on Trump’s remarks, while Republicans reveled in the frustration of the opposing party. Several Democrats left the chamber throughout Trump’s remarks.
“I realize there is absolutely nothing I can say to make them happy or make them stand and smile or applaud,” Trump said looking toward their side of the chamber. “I could find a cure to the most devastating diseases. A disease that would wipe out entire nations, or announce the answers to the greatest economy in history…and these people sitting right here will not clap, will not stand, and certainly will not cheer for these astronomical achievements.”
“It’s very sad. And it just shouldn’t be this way,” Trump added.
When Trump walked into the chamber, Rep. Stansbury (D-N.M.) held up a sign that read “This is NOT Normal” before Rep. Lance Gooden (R-Texas) ripped it away and threw it in the air. Among the Democrats who left the chamber at points throughout the speech were Rep. Jasmine Crockett (Mo.), who showed off a shirt that read “RESIST” on the way out, Rep. Maxwell Frost (Fla.) and Rep. Jamie Raskin (Md.).
At one point, Trump taunted Democrats by suggesting they would vote to extend tax cuts that are set to expire later this year.
“Because otherwise I don’t believe the people will ever vote you into office,” Trump said, gesturing to Democrats in the chamber. “So I’m doing you a big favor by telling you that.”
While arguing that the U.S. has given too much money to support Ukraine, days after a spat in the Oval Office with Ukrainian President Zelensky, Trump called Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) his nickname for her: “Pocahontas.” She responded by clapping from her seat.
Trump referred to Democrats at one point with a positive tone, when he thanked them for voting for his Secretary of State Marco Rubio. The Senate confirmed Rubio, a former senator, in a 99-0 vote.
At other points, several Democrats held up round, black signs that read “False,” “Musk Steals,” “Save Medicaid,” and “protect veterans.” Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-Mich.) held up a white board that at one point was held toward Trump and read “start by paying your taxes.”
When Trump spoke about support for law enforcement, some Democrats yelled out “Jan. 6” to reference Trump’s pardons for rioters at the U.S. Capitol, including violent offenders who were convicted of attacking police officers that day.
Then tensions were reminiscent of scenes during Trump’s previous addresses, culminating in his final State of the Union of his first term in 2020 when then-Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) ripped up her copy of Trump’s speech while behind him on the dais.
The president called out former President Biden multiple times during his remarks, an unusual and rare move for a sitting president giving such an address. Trump called Biden “the worst president in American history” while touting that migrant crossings at the southern border are down during his presidency compared to his Democratic rival.
Trump then lamented that his administration inherited “an economic nightmare” from the Biden administration and that he is fighting “to reverse this damage.” It took Trump roughly 20 minutes to address inflation, a top concern for many voters, at which point he blamed Biden for the high price of eggs.
When Trump began reiterating his unproven claims that millions of people well above the age of 100 are still receiving Social Security checks, Democrats yelled out and held up signs that said “false” and “lies.”
Democrats also pointed to Elon Musk, who was sitting in the gallery, when Trump said “the days of rule by unelected bureaucrats are over.”
The president also called out various actions he has taken that hit on areas Democrats support, rattling off that he has ended Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) programs and took steps to prevent transgender athletes from womens sports.
And, the president slammed the CHIPs and Science Act, one of Biden’s signature achievements that aimed to boost domestic semiconductor production. It passed with bipartisan support and has been a boon to some Republican districts.
“Your chips act is a horrible, horrible thing,” Trump said to Democrats. “You should get rid of the CHIP Act and whatever’s left over, Mr. Speaker, you should use it to reduce debt or any other reason you want to.”
Trump also touted economic investments from major companies like Apple and SoftBank since his election – pointing to Democrats and saying that would not have been the case if Vice President Harris won in November.
“For just this one night,” Trump asked Democrats at one point, “why not join us in celebrating so many incredible wins for America?”
