PRESIDENT Donald Trump has arrived to address a joint session of Congress for the first time since his return to the White House six weeks ago.
The Republican commander-in-chief, 78, is delivering remarks from the House chambers in a highly anticipated speech that has already drawn the ire of top Democratic leaders.
President Donald Trump arriving to the joint address on Tuesday[/caption]
Speaker of the House Mike Johnson and Vice President JD Vance before Trump’s speech[/caption]
Elon Musk wearing a suit at Trump’s address[/caption]
Trump promised he plans to speak to the country plainly during the address, where he’ll speak to both chambers of Congress, Supreme Court justices, and honored guests.
“Tomorrow night will be big. I will tell it like it is,” the president teased on Truth Social on Monday.
Trump arrived 15 minutes late to the event but was greeted with chants of USA from the excited crowd of lawmakers and special guests.
Georgia Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene was seen wearing a red hat saying “Trump was right about everything!”
However, the welcome wasn’t entirely warm as some Democratic leaders remained seated as the president approached the podium.
Trump started his speech by proudly proclaiming, “America is back!”
The theme of the speech is expected to be “the renewal of the American dream,” officials said.
He’s expected to discuss his recent crackdown on immigration, the new Department of Government Efficiency headed by Elon Musk, and the country’s foreign policy.
The speech comes as prices in America continue to rise in light of the trade war with China – and costs might continue to skyrocket due to Trump’s sweeping tariffs on Mexican and Canadian imports.
The steep tariffs on America’s three largest trading partners went into effect at 12:01 am on Tuesday, sparking swift retaliation tariffs from Canada and China.
Trump is also under pressure to end the war between Russia and Ukraine after three years of conflict.
Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky and Trump in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington DC on February 28, 2025[/caption]
New York Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez during a House Committee meeting in Washington DC on February 26, 2024[/caption]
Tuesday’s address comes just days after a meeting between Trump and Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky spiraled into chaos in front of the world.
Trump publicly scolded Zelensky and warned he’s gambling with World War 3 as reporters from around the world watched the historic spat.
In the fallout of the spat, Trump made a U-turn and paused US aid to Ukraine, meaning the country is left without their supply of billions of dollars’ worth of battle tanks, missiles, and air defense systems.
As tensions continue to rise, leading Dems, including New York Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and multiple state Senators, have announced they plan to snub Tuesday night’s event.
“I’m not going to the joint address,” AOC wrote on BlueSky, adding that she’ll be posting about it on the platform instead before livestreaming on Instagram later.
Connecticut Senator Chris Murphy also said he wouldn’t be attending the joint address out of protest, calling it a “farce.”
“I think it’s gonna be a Maga pep rally,” Murphy told CNN.
Melania Trump’s guest list
The first lady’s guest list includes:
- Corey Comperatore’s family
- Allyson and Lauren Phillips, the mom and sister of Laken Riley
- Stephanie Diller, widow of NYPD officer Jonathan Diller
- Marc Fogel, a teacher recently freed from Russian detention
- Fogel’s mom, Malphine
- Alexis Nungaray, the mom of slain 12-year-old Jocelyn Nungaray
- Roberto Ortiz, an agent with Customs and Border Protection
- Payton McNabb, former high school athlete
- January Littlejohn, a parents’ rights advocate
- Steelworker Jeff Denard
- Elliston Berry, a 15-year-old victim of deepfake pornography
- Former foster child Haley Ferguson
“We have to fight every single day, every single day.”
While Democrat leaders won’t be attending the event, First Lady Melania Trump has shared her 15-person guest list for the speech.
Melania, who was greeted with a standing ovation, is seated with the family of Corey Comperatore, the firefighter who was killed in the attempted assassination of Trump at his rally on July 13, 2024.
The first lady has also invited the mother and sister of Laken Riley, a Georgia college student who was murdered by an undocumented immigrant while on a run last February.
“These men, women, and families come from all different walks of life with incredible stories about the disaster wrought by the previous administration, and the historic achievements President Trump has already enacted,” the White House said.
FAMILY AFFAIR
Jared Kushner and Ivanka Trump at the joint session address[/caption]
Female Democratic members of Congress wearing pink to protest Trump at the House Chamber[/caption]
Trump is supported by multiple family members in the audience tonight.
Donald Trump Jr. was seen in the House chambers, along with Ivanka, Tiffany, Lara, and Erik Trump.
Musk was also seen wearing a suit, making a surprising change from his recent casual wear and Maga hats.
Over 100 protestors are on site while Trump prepares to give his speech.
Protestors were seen with posters and shouting as they crowded outside the Capitol building.
Attendees are also protesting Trump in subtler ways as dozens of Democratic lawmakers were seen arriving in the House chamber wearing pink.
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