PRESIDENT Donald Trump’s first address to a joint session of Congress in his return to the White House has descended into chaos.
The commander-in-chief, 78, kicked off his highly anticipated speech in the House chambers with triumphant remarks on Tuesday night, prompting Republicans to celebrate loudly while Democrats resorted to multiple methods of protesting.
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Trump arrived 15 minutes late to the event but was greeted with chants of “USA” from the excited crowd of lawmakers and special guests – while some Democrats stayed seated.
The House chambers then descended into a chaotic zoo as Democrats booed and Republicans cheered when the president kicked off his speech by proclaiming, “America is back!”
House Speaker Mike Johnson had to jump in to demand order from the crowd – but one Democrat leader stayed standing and yelling.
Congressman Al Green continued to cause a scene as he protested Trump, raising his cane and shouting, “He has no mandate!”
Johnson then ordered officials to escort Green out of the chamber, causing cheers and singing to break out from the Republican side.
Trump then continued his address.
The key moments from Trump’s first Congress address…
- Representative Al Green is thrown out just minutes into the address after interrupting
- Democrats refuse to stand as Trump enters the room
- Republicans give a suited Elon Musk a standing ovation as Trump applauds his DOGE efforts
- Trumps family proudly watches on from the gallery
- Democrats hold signs protesting Trump during his address
- Trump slams Biden, telling politicians: “You inherited a total mess from the previous administration”
“We have accomplished more in 43 days than most administrations accomplished in four years or eight years,” he began, promising “we are just getting started.”
He boasted that he ended diversity initiatives and enforced only two legally recognized genders.
“Our country will be woke no longer,” he said.
He promised he was setting out to “make America affordable again.”
“You inherited a total mess from the previous administration,” he added as a dig at former President Joe Biden.
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Trump then set out to discuss his recent crackdown on immigration, the new Department of Government Efficiency headed by Elon Musk.
He recognized Musk, seen in a suit, which prompted a standing ovation, marking a trend in the night as the speech has been repeatedly interrupted by applause and ovations.
As Trump went on to speak out against electric vehicles, several House Democratic lawmakers walked out of the address.
Dems, including Representatives Melanie Stansbury and Jasmine Crockett, were seen walking out of the address wearing t-shirts saying “resist.”
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The speech comes as prices in America continue to rise in light of the trade war with China – and costs might continue to skyrocket due to Trump’s sweeping tariffs on Mexican and Canadian imports.
The steep tariffs on America’s three largest trading partners went into effect at 12:01 am on Tuesday, sparking swift retaliation tariffs from Canada and China.
Trump said during his address that tariffs will “make America rich again” after Biden took the country “the lowest we’ve ever been.”
He also proposed to make his tax cuts permanent and said he wants to eliminate taxes on tips and overtime.
ZELENSKY FALLOUT
The speech also comes as Trump is under pressure to end the war between Russia and Ukraine after three years of conflict.
Tuesday’s address comes just days after a meeting between Trump and Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky spiraled into chaos in front of the world.
Trump publicly scolded Zelensky and warned he’s gambling with World War 3 as reporters from around the world watched the historic spat.
In the fallout of the spat, Trump made a U-turn and paused US aid to Ukraine, meaning the country is left without their supply of billions of dollars’ worth of battle tanks, missiles, and air defense systems.
We have accomplished more in 43 days than most administrations accomplished in four years or eight years.”
President Donald Trump
As tensions continue to rise, leading Dems, including New York Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and multiple state Senators, have announced they plan to snub Tuesday night’s event.
“I’m not going to the joint address,” AOC wrote on BlueSky, adding that she’ll be posting about it on the platform instead before livestreaming on Instagram later.
Connecticut Senator Chris Murphy also said he wouldn’t be attending the joint address out of protest, calling it a “farce.”
“I think it’s gonna be a Maga pep rally,” Murphy told CNN.
Melania Trump’s guest list
The first lady’s guest list includes:
- Corey Comperatore’s family
- Allyson and Lauren Phillips, the mom and sister of Laken Riley
- Stephanie Diller, widow of NYPD officer Jonathan Diller
- Marc Fogel, a teacher recently freed from Russian detention
- Fogel’s mom, Malphine
- Alexis Nungaray, the mom of slain 12-year-old Jocelyn Nungaray
- Roberto Ortiz, an agent with Customs and Border Protection
- Payton McNabb, former high school athlete
- January Littlejohn, a parents’ rights advocate
- Steelworker Jeff Denard
- Elliston Berry, a 15-year-old victim of deepfake pornography
- Former foster child Haley Ferguson
“We have to fight every single day, every single day.”
While Democrat leaders won’t be attending the event, First Lady Melania Trump has shared her 15-person guest list for the speech.
Melania, who was greeted with a standing ovation, is seated with the family of Corey Comperatore, the firefighter who was killed in the attempted assassination of Trump at his rally on July 13, 2024.
The first lady has also invited the mother and sister of Laken Riley, a Georgia college student who was murdered by an undocumented immigrant while on a run last February.
“These men, women, and families come from all different walks of life with incredible stories about the disaster wrought by the previous administration, and the historic achievements President Trump has already enacted,” the White House said.
FAMILY AFFAIR
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Trump is supported by multiple family members in the audience tonight.
Donald Trump Jr. was seen in the House chambers, along with Ivanka, Tiffany, Lara, and Erik Trump.
Georgia Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene was also seen wearing a red hat saying, “Trump was right about everything!”
Over 100 protestors were on site while Trump prepared to give his speech.
Protestors were seen with posters and shouting as they crowded outside the Capitol building.
Attendees also protested Trump in subtler ways as dozens of Democratic lawmakers were seen arriving in the House chamber wearing pink.
Plus, some lawmakers held up signs accusing Trump of lying as he was speaking.
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