The US President’s address featured protests from the outset, honours for US military veterans and the US Hockey team as the near two hour speech delivered some striking images
Donald Trump delivered the longest ever State of the Union address packed with protests, attacks on Democrats and honours for US veterans last night.
Trump delivered his address days after the Supreme Court struck down the administration’s tariff strategy and amid a U.S. military buildup in the Persian Gulf threatening Iran. The US President cheered on the “roaring economy”, referencing the lower cost of fuel, mortgage rates, prescription drug prices and the rising stock market.
“Millions and millions of Americans are all gaining,” he said. Trump also paid tribute to the US ice hockey team, who beat Canada to win gold at the Milano-Cortina Olympics, and singled out war heros and those who had taken stands in other countries.
But the unity and praise didn’t last for long, as he turned his aim toward Democrats. The Republican president said rising health care premiums are “caused by you”, as he addressed Democrats in the room, suggesting they “are not protecting” Social Security and blaming them for the nation’s affordability crunch.
“You caused that problem. You caused that problem,” Trump told them as he glared at the Democratic side of the room. And as his lengthy speech continued, Trump’s anger seemed to grow. He said: “These people are crazy, I’m telling you, they’re crazy. Democrats are destroying this country.”
Here we look at 16 of the best images from the action packed address in Congress which lasted for a record breaking hour and 47 minutes.