US President Donald Trump has begun his address to Congress and the American people, laying out his plans for the months ahead.
You can watch the speech above, and follow the key announcements below.
Republicans greet Trump with chants of ‘USA! USA!’
Republicans were boisterous as Trump stepped to the lectern in the House.
Republican politicians were on their feet, chanting “USA! USA!” as President Donald Trump basks in the applause.
The Republican side of the House chamber was on their feet as Trump entered, whistling and applauding.
The Democrats, meanwhile, were practically motionless. They were seated and mostly faced forward as Trump entered.
Trump started his joint congressional address to “USA! USA!” chants and talking about the first 43 days of his administration, which has been marked by a major effort at reshaping and downsizing the federal government led by billionaire Elon Musk, spats with America’s allies and economic uncertainties brought by new tariffs.
Democrat Al Green confronts Trump and is removed from House chamber
“The presidential election of Nov. 5 was a mandate like has not been seen in many decades,” Trump said as he began his speech.
“You have no mandate,” Democratic Al Green countered.
Republicans quickly jumped to their feet with chants of “USA! USA!”
Green was then removed from the House chamber.
Republican members cheered at his removal, shouting “Get out!” and “Goodbye!” at the politician. Green shouted, “You have no mandate to cut Medicaid!” at Trump before police escorted him from the chamber.
Trump admonishes Democrats for not cheering him
“It’s very sad, and it just shouldn’t be this way,” Trump said.
That was Trump chiding Democratic members of Congress for failing to stand and applaud as the president delivered his speech.
Democrats remained seated as Trump said it, some scowling. Many held up small black signs printed with “False” in white lettering. Every time Trump boasts of his accomplishments, they hold up the signs.
“Lie after lie after lie,” came one shout from the Democratic side of the chamber.
Trump says he’s stamped out diversity and inclusion initiatives nationwide
Trump said his administration has rushed to ban diversity and inclusion programs in the federal government and dismiss workers charged with advancing such efforts.
“Our country will be ‘woke’ no longer,” he said.
His efforts have prompted private companies and other entities to similarly roll back efforts to promote diversity. They have also drawn a series of legal challenges, many of which are still in court.
Not an ‘economic catastrophe’
Trump added “Among my very highest priorities is to rescue our economy and get dramatic and immediate relief to working families. As you know, we inherited, from the last administration, an economic catastrophe and an inflation nightmare.”
Americans were certainly still gloomy about the post-COVID inflation spike that peaked in 2022, but Trump did not inherit a disastrous economy by any measure.
The unemployment rate ticked down to a low 4 per cent in January, the month he took office, while the economy expanded a healthy 2.8% in 2024. Inflation-adjusted incomes have grown steadily since mid-2023. And inflation, while showing signs of stickiness in recent months and still elevated at 3% in January, is down from its 9.1 per cent peak.
Trump talks about an ‘energy emergency’
Trump said: “A major focus of our fight to defeat inflation is rapidly reducing the cost of energy. … That is why on my first day in office, I declared a national energy emergency.”
President Trump has already begun dismantling his predecessor’s climate change and renewable energy policies and declared a national energy emergency to speed up fossil fuel development. But most experts think the characterisation of an “energy emergency” does not accurately reflect reality. Scientists say the globe is experiencing a climate emergency instead.
Trump also highlighted his moves to open up areas in the pristine Arctic National Wildlife Refuge for drilling. But expanding the area available for companies to lease and drill doesn’t necessarily mean that more oil and gas will be produced.
