US President Donald Trump addressed a joint session of Congress on Tuesday, marking his first speech to the body since taking office. In his remarks, he highlighted his accomplishments during his first six weeks in office, claiming to have restored free speech in America, made English the official language, and “renamed the Gulf of Mexico the Gulf of America.”
Here are some key quotes from his speech:
“America is back.” Trump opened his address with a phrase borrowed from former President Joe Biden, who often used it to signal America’s re-engagement with the world. Trump echoed the sentiment, reinforcing his message that the country is on the rise again.
“This is my fifth such speech to Congress.” Trump remarked on his repeated appearances before Congress, noting that no matter what he says, it seems impossible to make the Democrats happy, as they never stand, smile, or applaud in agreement.
“Our country will be woke no longer.” Trump criticized policies centered around diversity and inclusion, stating that workers should be hired based on merit rather than race or gender. He claimed his administration ended what he called the tyranny of these policies in the federal government, the private sector, and the military.
On the price of eggs: Trump blamed President Biden for allowing egg prices to rise uncontrollably. He instructed his Cabinet to address the issue, suggesting that the previous administration left behind a mess of rising prices, which his administration now aims to fix.
“You inherited a total mess from the previous administration.” Trump continued his critique of Biden’s handling of inflation, particularly the rising prices of basic groceries. He emphasized that the economic challenges his administration faced were a result of the policies left by the previous administration.
“We are going to balance the federal budget.” Trump expressed his desire to balance the federal budget, something that hasn’t been achieved in nearly 24 years. He promised that his administration would accomplish this goal.
On inflation: Trump discussed the economic situation his administration inherited, calling it an “economic catastrophe” and an “inflation nightmare.” He blamed the previous administration’s policies for driving up energy and grocery prices, pushing essential goods out of reach for many Americans. He claimed the country was suffering from the worst inflation in 48 years.
On federal workers: Trump warned federal workers that resisting his administration’s policies would lead to dismissal. He vowed to dismantle bureaucratic obstacles that slow down government operations, stating that any bureaucrat who resists change would be removed from office immediately.
On tariffs: Trump announced that starting April 2, his administration would implement reciprocal tariffs on many trading partners. He claimed that for years other countries have used tariffs against the U.S., and now it’s America’s turn to retaliate. Trump emphasized that his approach would mirror the tariffs imposed on the U.S. by other countries.
On car loans: Trump proposed making interest payments on car loans tax-deductible, but only for cars made in America. He promised growth in the U.S. auto industry, claiming that plants are opening, deals are being made, and his policies would allow the auto industry to flourish.
This speech painted a picture of an administration focused on economic recovery, undoing the policies of the previous administration, and prioritizing American industries. Trump also reiterated his commitment to reshaping government operations and foreign trade.
