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WASHINGTON: President Donald Trump declared a “remarkable turnaround” in his State of the Union address Tuesday, aiming to improve his sagging poll numbers and tackle growing domestic and international challenges ahead of vital midterm elections.
As he entered to speak before a joint session of Congress, support erupted from Republicans, who gave him cheers and a standing ovation. Many Democrats sat quietly, showing their disapproval.
“Our nation is back—bigger, better, wealthier, and more powerful than ever,” Trump proclaimed.
In what was expected to be a lengthy speech, the 79-year-old sought to convince voters of the accomplishments achieved during a tumultuous and highly divisive first year back in office.
However, Trump’s popularity remains low in polls, and Republicans are anxious about losing their narrow majority in the House to Democrats, which could stall the rest of his second term and potentially lead to a third impeachment.
Despite the obstacles, Trump maintained a defiant tone throughout his inaugural State of the Union of his second term.
“Tonight, after just one year, I stand with pride to say we’ve experienced a transformation unlike anything you’ve seen before—a true turnaround for the ages,” he said.
Addressing Global Threats
On the world stage, the man who once complained about not winning the Nobel Peace Prize last year is now considering military action against Iran over its nuclear activities and suppression of protests.
“I will pursue peace whenever possible—but I will never hesitate to confront threats to America wherever they arise,” Trump was quoted as saying in advance excerpts.
His spokeswoman shared a picture of Trump with Iran negotiations aides Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner just before the speech.
Monday, Trump warned that his State of the Union would be “a long one,” citing a lot to cover. Rumors suggested the address could last up to three hours, far exceeding the previous record of an hour and 40 minutes set last year.
The second year of Trump’s presidency has been rocky, marked by setbacks like the Supreme Court ruling against his tariffs, which were central to his economic policies. Despite calling the justices “fools and lapdogs,” he shook hands with them as he entered the House chamber.
His presidency has also faced criticism over the death of two U.S. citizens during immigration raids in Minneapolis, the Jeffrey Epstein scandal, and a partial government shutdown.
A recent poll by Washington Post, ABC News, and Ipsos indicated that only 39% of Americans approve of Trump’s job performance. Specifically, only 41% support his approach to the economy, and just 32% approve of his handling of inflation.
Democrat Response and Guest Invitations
Many Democrats planned protests or chose to boycott the speech outright — at least 40 members of the party were expected to skip.
The State of the Union address is a constitutional requirement, mandating the president to periodically report on the nation’s status.
Both parties sent guests to observe from the gallery, continuing the tradition. Trump invited the U.S. men’s ice hockey team after their Olympic gold victory, but the women’s team declined, amid controversy over Trump’s joke about “having to bring the women” to the event.
Other notable guests included Erika Kirk, widow of the murdered right-wing activist Charlie Kirk, and family members of Jeffrey Epstein victims, as two Democratic House members announced they would bring them.
Though Trump has denied any connections to Epstein, the scandal still casts a shadow over his presidency.
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