On Tuesday night, President Donald Trump delivered his first major address to Congress since beginning his second term.
Speaking to a joint session, the 78-year-old president used the roughly hour-and-forty-minute speech to champion his MAGA agenda and tout the successes he believes his administration has achieved in the first six weeks in office.
Trump proudly stated, “We have accomplished more in 43 days than most administrations accomplished in four years, eight years, and we are just getting started.”
He emphasized that “America’s momentum is back” and claimed that “the American Dream is surging bigger and better than ever before.”
It was, by all accounts, the longest speech ever delivered by a U.S. president to a joint session of Congress.
A Critical Speech Filled with Controversial Claims
While addressing Congress, President Trump took time to criticize his predecessor, President Joe Biden, directly, particularly blaming him for ongoing inflation issues.
He also mentioned his 2024 election opponent, Vice President Kamala Harris, by name, alongside other hot-button topics.
Trump touched on issues such as illegal immigration, praised the work of billionaire Elon Musk, and addressed the culture wars in America.
Additionally, he boasted about his executive orders, emphasizing that he had made major strides in a short time.
However, some of Trump’s claims raised eyebrows.
He stated that Americans were receiving Social Security checks for decades after turning 100, and he claimed that illegal border crossings under his administration were the lowest on record.
These assertions were quickly contested as being false.
As Trump spoke, his supporters, mainly Republican lawmakers, stood and cheered, while many Democrats remained seated, some even protesting vocally or holding up signs in defiance of the president’s remarks.
Reactions from Speechwriters and Political Strategists
Following the speech, various speechwriters and political strategists weighed in with their opinions on Trump’s address, grading it from different perspectives.
Jessica Anderson’s Perspective
Jessica Anderson, president of the conservative Sentinel Action Fund, gave the speech an A+.
She praised Trump for staying true to his promises and marked the speech as a new era for the country.
Anderson argued that under Trump’s leadership, the administration had focused on Americans’ safety, health, and prosperity, distancing itself from what she described as the “Biden-Democrat legacy.”
Anderson also commended Trump’s swift action in eliminating government waste and prioritizing the removal of illegal immigrants.
She expressed that Trump’s approach had rekindled American values, pointing to the “America-First” mindset that Trump continues to promote.
Jonathan Bronitsky’s Take
Dr. Jonathan Bronitsky, a former speechwriter for Trump’s first administration and now co-founder of ATHOS, also gave the speech an A+.
He described Trump’s delivery as “hilarious, devastating, and inspiring,” calling it an emotional ride that reawakened America’s imagination.
Bronitsky emphasized that Trump’s clarity in presenting his America-First agenda was a stark contrast to President Biden’s speeches, which he described as “dystopian.”
For Bronitsky, Trump’s speech was a “victory parade,” whereas Biden’s speeches felt like a “funeral procession.”
He applauded the fact that Trump was able to make the American people laugh and reminded them that politics doesn’t always have to be gloomy.
Kevin Madden’s Critique
Republican strategist Kevin Madden gave the speech a B+. He highlighted that Trump was continuing to push the policies and messages from his 2024 campaign into his early days in office.
Madden noted that Trump’s rhetoric remained unapologetic, which energized his allies in Congress.
However, he pointed out that while the pageantry of such speeches was exciting, they often didn’t have lasting impact.
Madden warned that issues like inflation, trade wars, and global conflicts would continue to shape public opinion and the electorate’s mood in the long run.
He suggested that such speeches primarily served as fodder for partisanship, rather than offering substantive solutions.
Rusty Hills on Trump’s Speech
University of Michigan professor Rusty Hills offered a mixed review, grading the speech a C-.
He argued that the address was more like a campaign rally than a serious presentation to Congress.
Hills pointed out that Trump repeated several of his favorite lines from the 2024 campaign, including phrases like “Drain the swamp” and “Make America Great Again.”
He noted that Trump’s speech was focused on appealing to his base, attacking Democrats, and pushing for policies on immigration and government efficiency.
Joel Payne’s Democratic Viewpoint
Democratic strategist Joel Payne, however, was less impressed with the speech.
He criticized Trump for avoiding substantial discussions on the economy and instead focusing on blaming President Biden and escalating culture war rhetoric.
Payne suggested that Trump’s reliance on falsehoods and his attack-heavy rhetoric marked the speech as a missed opportunity to address the real issues facing Americans.
Overall, Payne believed that while the protests from Democratic members were visible, they represented a much-needed reaction from the party’s base to counteract Trump’s claims and provide a more balanced perspective on the country’s current challenges.
The Future of Trump’s Agenda
As President Trump continues to settle into his second term, the speech demonstrated his determination to push forward with his agenda, particularly on issues like immigration, border security, and government reforms.
Whether or not his vision can successfully translate into lasting changes remains to be seen, but his approach to handling both his supporters and critics is clear—unapologetically conservative and unwavering in his mission to reshape Washington, D.C.
Do you think Trump’s approach will continue to dominate American politics in the coming years? Let us know your thoughts.