Trump’s Combative Return: A State of Division in Congress

President Donald Trump delivered a forceful defense of his "America First" agenda before a joint session of Congress on Tuesday night, marking his first major address since his return to power six weeks prior. The speech, which lasted an unprecedented 1 hour and 39 minutes, showcased a president emboldened by his resurgence but facing fierce opposition and deep divisions within the nation.

Trump’s address served as a stark reminder of his willingness to push the boundaries of executive power. He referenced the mass firings of federal workers, reiterated his stance after a tense Oval Office meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, and championed his trade war against China, Mexico, and Canada. His approach, characterized by the mantra "Whatever they tariff us, we tariff them. Whatever they tax us, we tax them," has ignited controversy and fueled partisan animosity.

The atmosphere in the U.S. Capitol was charged, with Democrats displaying open hostility towards the president. One lawmaker was even removed for disrupting the proceedings. The contrast to a year prior, when Democrats rallied behind President Joe Biden during his final State of the Union address, was palpable. This time, they held up signs of protest, signaling their unwavering opposition to Trump’s policies and leadership.

Economic Anxiety and Trade Wars

A central theme of the 2024 election that propelled Trump back into office was America’s anxiety over rising food prices and the overall cost of living. Now, he faces a nation wary of his actions, particularly the imposition of 25% tariffs on foreign allies, which many fear will further inflate prices and destabilize the stock market.

An NPR/Marist poll revealed that 57% of U.S. adults anticipate grocery prices to increase in the coming months. Trump attempted to assuage these concerns, assuring Congress that providing "dramatic and immediate relief" to average Americans was a top priority. However, he maintained that the U.S. had been exploited in trade for decades and vowed to take a firm stance against those he believes are undermining the nation’s economic interests.

"We’ve been ripped off for decades by nearly every country on Earth, and we will not let that happen any longer," Trump declared.

While GOP allies on Capitol Hill have attempted to downplay the economic repercussions of the tariffs, acknowledging concerns but asserting that Americans are prepared to endure short-term hardship to address the national debt and reshape international trade agreements, doubts remain about the long-term consequences of his trade policies.

Attacking Biden and the Rising Cost of Eggs

Trump wasted no time in targeting his Democratic predecessor, Joe Biden, whom he derisively labeled "the worst president in American history" while discussing border security. He further blamed Biden for the rising cost of eggs, referencing the inflation that plagued the Biden administration.

"Joe Biden especially let the price of eggs get out of control—the egg price is out of control – and were working hard to get it back down," Trump stated.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has reported that an outbreak of bird flu infected over 18 million commercial egg layers in January 2025, the highest monthly total since the outbreak began in 2022. This led to a 53% increase in egg prices from January 2024 to January 2025. Whether this was purely attributable to Biden’s policies, however, is debatable.

Elon Musk and Government Efficiency

The world’s richest person, Elon Musk, attended the address, dressed in a suit and blue tie, and was given a prominent seat in the House gallery.

Trump lauded Musk’s work with the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), which has spearheaded the elimination of numerous federal agencies and the firing of tens of thousands of government workers. Trump praised the department’s speed in cutting the size of government.

"(Elon) didn’t need this," Trump said. "Thank you very much. We appreciate it."

However, public opinion polls suggest that Musk is a liability for the Trump administration. According to an NPR/Marist poll, 39% of Americans have a favorable opinion of Musk, while 50% hold an unfavorable view. Similarly, 44% have an unfavorable opinion of DOGE, compared to 39% with a favorable opinion.

Furthermore, over three dozen Democratic lawmakers have called for Musk’s dismissal, alleging that his actions have resulted in the illegal firing of government officials whose agencies were investigating or prosecuting Musk’s companies.

Contentious Atmosphere and Partisan Divide

The deep divisions within American society were on full display during the address. Rep. Al Green, a Democrat from Texas, was removed from the chamber after shouting "You don’t have a mandate" as Trump touted his 2024 victory.

Trump responded by criticizing the opposition party, asserting that they would oppose him at every turn. He went on to say that finding a cure to diseases and stopping crime would still not make the opposition happy.

Other Democrats protested by wearing black t-shirts with the word "RESIST" and holding signs with messages such as "FALSE," "Save Medicaid," "Musk Steals," and "Protect Veterans." Some chanted "January 6" as Trump discussed defending law enforcement.

Democratic Rep. Sydney Kamlager-Dove of California, wrote on X, that there’s only so much that a person can tolerate.

Ukraine and International Issues

Trump concluded his speech by addressing international issues, focusing on the war between Ukraine and Russia. He declared, "It’s time to halt the killing. It’s time to end the senseless war."

Trump’s message followed a tense exchange with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in the Oval Office, which reportedly escalated into a shouting match and strained relations between the two countries.

The administration had previously paused military aid to Ukraine, raising concerns about the U.S.’s commitment to supporting the country against Russian aggression.

During the address, Trump stated that he was "working tirelessly" to end the conflict, emphasizing the millions of Ukrainian and Russian lives lost. However, his approach to the conflict and his interactions with Zelenskyy have raised questions about his foreign policy strategy and his commitment to supporting allies in the face of aggression. The future of the U.S. relationship with Ukraine, and the world, hangs in the balance.