Trump kicks off ‘Renewal of the American Dream’ address before joint session of Congress

President Donald Trump kicked off his address before a joint session of Congress Tuesday evening with a bold declaration: “To my fellow citizens, America is back.” After expressing gratitude towards the members of Congress and First Lady Melania Trump, Trump went on to proclaim, “Six weeks ago, I stood beneath the dome of this Capitol and proclaimed the dawn of the golden Age of America. From that moment on, it has been nothing but swift and unrelenting action to usher in the greatest and most successful era in the history of our country. We have accomplished more in 43 days than most administrations accomplished in four years or eight years. And we are just getting started.”

The audience responded with enthusiasm, chanting “USA, USA, USA” as Trump’s opening remarks set the tone for the evening. Trump arrived at the podium shortly after 9:15 p.m. Eastern Standard Time to a mix of cheers from conservative lawmakers and seated Democrats. This speech marked Trump’s first before Congress since his return to the Oval Office in January, and though similar to the State of the Union, it did not carry the same official title as Trump had not been in office for the past year.

The theme of Trump’s address, titled “The Renewal of the American Dream,” focused on four main sections: accomplishments from his second term thus far at home and abroad, the administration’s impact on the economy, a renewed push for additional funding for border security, and plans for peace around the globe.

Trump’s speech was delivered without formal preparation, as he did not participate in any speech coaching or gesticulation practice. However, he was involved in editing the speech to ensure that his message was clear and impactful. Several Democratic members had announced their intention to boycott the address, including Rep. Don Beyer and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, while Sen. Chris Murphy held a live prebuttal of the speech.

In a visual protest against Trump and his policies, Democratic congresswomen who attended the speech were seen wearing pink. Their attire was a symbol of resistance to policies they believe negatively impact women.

Overall, Trump’s address before Congress set the stage for the next phase of his presidency, highlighting his accomplishments, plans for the future, and a renewed focus on the American Dream. With the country at a critical juncture early in his second term, voters are closely watching to see how Trump’s agenda will continue to impact the nation.