WASHINGTON — President Trump delivered the nation’s longest State of the Union address Tuesday evening as he touted his administration’s immigration enforcement and condemned the actions of Democratic representatives.
Among the guests were Charlie Kirk’s widow, Erika Kirk, a pilot injured in the military operation that captured the former Venezuelan president Nicolás Maduro and the U.S. men’s Olympic hockey team.
Several democrats boycotted the speech, instead opting for alternative events, including the “People’s State of the Union” and “State of the Swamp.” Rep. Al Green (D-Texas), who was removed from Trump’s address to Congress last year, displayed a sign that said, “Black people are not apes,” in reference to Trump’s racist post about the Obamas on Truth Social earlier this month. Green then exited the chamber as the speech began.
Trump entered the chambers at 9:10 p.m. to applause from lawmakers and the crowd above the floor. (Cayla Labgold-Carroll/MNS)
He opened the speech with a positive assessment of the first year of his second term. “Our nation is back — bigger, better, richer and stronger than ever before.” (Cayla Labgold-Carroll/MNS)
The U.S men’s Olympic hockey team, fresh off a gold medal-winning show at the Milan Cortina games, stood in the press gallery amid thunderous applause as Trump introduced them. Trump announced that he will award the Presidential Medal of Freedom to Team USA hockey goalie Connor Hellebuyck. (Cayla Labgold-Carroll/MNS)
Below the hockey players, lawmakers erupted into a chant of “USA, USA”. (Cayla Labgold-Carroll/MNS)
According to NBC News, applause accounted for about 40 minutes of Trump’s 107-minute speech. (Cayla Labgold-Carroll/MNS)
First Lady Melania Trump received a standing ovation before the State of the Union Address. (Cayla Labgold-Carroll/MNS)
Republicans stood and applauded at many points in the speech, while Democrats remained seated in defiance. (Cayla Labgold-Carroll/MNS)
Rep. Ilhan Omar, D-Minn., yelled at Trump during the address, “You have killed Americans,” in a reference to the fatal shootings of two Americans by ICE agents in her home state this year. (Cayla Labgold-Carroll/MNS)
(Cayla Labgold-Carroll/MNS)
(Cayla Labgold-Carroll/MNS)
Trump praised Erika Kirk, the widow of Charlie Kirk, during his speech. “Charlie was violently murdered by an assassin, and a martyr, really, for his beliefs. His wonderful wife, Erika, is with us tonight,” Trump said. (Cayla Labgold-Carroll/MNS)
Trump criticized Democrats sitting across from him for not standing up during his speech.“These people are crazy,” he said. (Cayla Labgold-Carroll/MNS)
Trump ended the speech by promoting his leadership period as the “golden age” of America. (Cayla Labgold-Carroll/MNS)
Lawmakers and guests milled about the chambers after the speech, many pausing to take selfies with Trump’s cabinet members, such as Secretary Pete Hegseth. (Cayla Labgold-Carroll/MNS)