Donald Trump delivered his first joint address of his second term to a sharply divided Congress. The speech lasted longer than any other joint session address in U.S. history. The president used the occasion to highlight his administration’s early actions and outline his legislative priorities.
Here’s the full speech:
Executive Orders and Praise for Elon Musk
The President claimed he had signed nearly 100 executive orders in six weeks. He said his administration had taken more than 400 executive actions to reshape the federal government. A major focus of his speech was the formation of the Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE. He named Elon Musk as the head of this new agency and pointed to its efforts to cut wasteful government spending.
The President claimed that Musk’s team had uncovered significant government waste, but he did not provide verification. A federal judge handling cases related to mass firings of government workers had been told that Amy Gleason, a former U.S. Digital Service official, was actually in charge of DOGE. The lack of clarity over the department’s leadership has raised questions about its operations.
Figure 1: Elon Musk listening to Trump’s speech.[Evelyn Hockstein/Reuters]
No Clear Plan for Reducing Egg Prices
Trump addressed the rising cost of groceries and acknowledged the continued increase in egg prices. He blamed the previous administration for inflation and grocery costs, calling the situation a “total mess.” He assigned Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins to handle the issue.
Despite his campaign promise to bring grocery prices down on his first day in office, egg prices have continued to rise. The U.S. Department of Agriculture estimates that prices could increase by more than 40% in 2025. Trump did not outline any specific steps his administration would take to address the issue.
Congressional Tensions: Al Green Ejected from Chamber
Tensions in Congress were evident during Trump’s speech. Texas Representative Al Green interrupted the president early in his remarks. House Speaker Mike Johnson called for order, but Green continued to shout over Trump. Johnson then directed the House sergeant at arms to remove Green from the chamber.
Also Read: Al Green Removed After Disrupting Trump’s Speech in Congress
Throughout the speech, some Democrats held up signs in protest. Some signs read “Lies,” while others said “Save Medicare.” Many Democrats walked out before the speech ended. New Jersey Representative LaMonica McIver released a statement afterward, criticising Trump’s remarks on diversity, immigration, and economic policy.
Greenland and the Panama Canal: Expanding U.S. Influence
Trump reaffirmed his interest in expanding U.S. territorial holdings. He stated that the Panama Canal was built by Americans for American use. He announced that Senator Marco Rubio had been placed in charge of efforts related to the canal and said the United States was “taking it back.” The Panama Canal is currently managed by the Panamanian-government-owned Panama Canal Authority.
Figure 2: Trump speaking to a sharply divided Congress on Tuesday. [Al Drago/Bloomberg via Getty Images]
Trump also spoke about Greenland, calling it critical for both national and international security. He said the United States welcomed the island if its people chose to join. Despite Denmark’s repeated statements that Greenland is not for sale, Trump insisted that he was working with all relevant parties and stated, “One way or the other we’re going to get it.”
Ukraine War: Possibility of a Peace Deal
Trump addressed the ongoing war in Ukraine and said negotiations for peace were still possible. He read a letter from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, which stated that Ukraine was ready to negotiate a resolution.
Trump claimed that his administration had been in discussions with Russia and said he had received strong signals that a peace deal was possible. His comments followed a tense White House meeting with Zelensky, where Trump faced accusations of siding with Russian President Vladimir Putin. The administration has not provided further details on the status of these negotiations.
Final Remarks
Trump’s speech set the stage for upcoming policy battles in Congress. His remarks focused on economic concerns, government efficiency, foreign policy ambitions, and political divisions. The administration’s actions in the coming months will determine the effectiveness of these proposals.
