Six weeks into his presidency, Donald Trump took center stage in the U.S. Capitol, which was under Republican control. He addressed a joint session of Congress, boasting about his achievements in just 43 days. Trump claimed that his administration had accomplished more than many others had in four or eight years. He expressed a sense of national pride and confidence, even comparing himself to George Washington.
In his speech, Trump highlighted a long list of actions he had taken, including numerous executive orders, a freeze on foreign aid, and a reduction in illegal border crossings. He also discussed his controversial ban on transgender athletes in women’s sports and his efforts to remove what he called "woke ideology" from schools and the military. "Wokeness is trouble. Wokeness is bad. It’s gone, it’s gone, and we feel so much better for it, don’t we?" he declared.
The atmosphere in the House chamber was tense. Democrats, who made up half the audience, sat silently as Trump criticized them, former President Joe Biden, and what he termed "radical left lunatics" for the country’s problems. Some Democrats responded by holding up signs that read "false" and "lies."
Trump seemed to relish the moment, using his platform to mock his opponents. He took jabs at their lack of applause and revived his nickname for Senator Elizabeth Warren. He also pointed out that attempts to prosecute him had backfired for his adversaries.
Notably absent from the event was Texas Congressman Al Green, who missed the spectacle as Trump delivered his remarks. Overall, the president’s speech was a mix of celebration and confrontation, reflecting his bold approach to leadership just weeks into his term.