In a historic moment, President Donald Trump delivered his State of the Union address, officially surpassing Bill Clinton’s 1993 record of 1 hour and 5 minutes, making it the longest first address to Congress in modern history. The speech also exceeded Trump’s own 2017 address, which ran just over an hour.
Throughout his address, the former president outlined ambitious policy proposals on military defense, immigration, economic growth, and government reform, all while taking pointed jabs at his political opponents.
A New Era of Military Defense
Trump emphasized his commitment to strengthening the nation’s military, announcing plans for a state-of-the-art Golden Dome Missile Defense Shield, entirely made in the USA. He cited President Ronald Reagan’s earlier vision for a missile defense system but asserted that modern technology now makes it feasible.
Tougher Stance on Crime and Border Security
The president highlighted his administration’s strict law enforcement policies, including an executive order mandating the death penalty for those who murder police officers. He urged Congress to make it permanent.
Turning to border security, Trump argued that new laws were unnecessary, stating, “All we really needed was a new president.” He blamed the Biden administration for the influx of 21 million people into the U.S. over four years, claiming that many were criminals.
Economic Policies and Tariffs
Trump reaffirmed his “America First” economic approach, vowing to impose tariffs on companies that manufacture products outside the U.S. He singled out multiple countries—including China, the European Union, Brazil, and India—criticizing their longstanding trade advantages over the United States.
The president also touted significant growth in the auto industry, highlighting Honda’s announcement of a massive new plant in Indiana.
Tax Cuts and Bureaucratic Overhaul
Calling for further economic stimulus, Trump urged Congress to pass new tax cuts, framing them as essential to continuing economic prosperity.
Additionally, he vowed to reduce federal bureaucracy, stating that “unelected rule” would no longer dictate national policy. He pledged to remove federal employees who resisted his administration’s changes and mandated that all federal workers return to in-person office settings.
Path to Citizenship for the World’s Wealthiest Job Creators
A surprising policy announcement was a proposed $5 million “path to citizenship” for successful business leaders willing to invest in the United States. Trump described it as “like the green card—but better and more sophisticated.”
Addressing Government Spending and Social Security Fraud
Trump criticized federal spending on foreign initiatives, highlighting allocations such as $8 million for LGBTQ programs in Lesotho and $60 million for Afro-Colombian empowerment in Central America, questioning who authorized such expenditures.
He also pointed to potential Social Security fraud, claiming that over a million people were listed as over 150 years old, costing taxpayers billions.
Controversy and Emotional Moments
The address was not without drama. Rep. Al Green was forcibly removed from the chamber after repeatedly heckling the president, shouting, “You have no mandate!”
In an emotional moment, Trump directed Secret Service Director Sean Curran to make 13-year-old DJ Daniel an honorary agent. The young boy, battling cancer, has long dreamed of becoming a police officer, and Trump’s gesture was met with bipartisan applause.
Ending ‘Woke’ Policies
Trump reiterated his administration’s efforts to eliminate diversity, equity, and inclusion policies across government, the private sector, and the military, declaring that “America will be woke no longer.”
The president concluded by reiterating his commitment to economic growth, national security, and government accountability, promising that his policies would continue to put American citizens first.
