Just under 70 minutes, 4,825 words, and the message was clear – the speech was about “will” and “Americans”
Additionally “Obamacare” was mentioned 5 times, “Historic” was mentioned 3 times, and “massive” twice.
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I am here tonight to deliver a message of unity and strength, and it is a message deeply delivered from my heart. #JointAddress
— President Trump (@POTUS) March 1, 2017
President Trump got a warm welcome…
An extended standing ovation for the president as he takes his place on the rostrum. pic.twitter.com/lxGDA2m3wK
— Mark Knoller (@markknoller) March 1, 2017
To start with, for some reason Nancy Pelosi thought that Democratic women wearing white would make a statement…
Tonight, our Democratic #WomenWearWhite in support of women’s rights — in spite of a @POTUS who doesn’t! pic.twitter.com/kKJpfV5iUE
— Nancy Pelosi (@NancyPelosi) February 28, 2017
President Trump did not wear a red tie!!!
THE TIE PIVOT HAS ARRIVED!#JointSession pic.twitter.com/2UqLdLyWLo
— The Daily Show (@TheDailyShow) March 1, 2017
.@POTUS: “A new chapter of American Greatness is now beginning. A new national pride is sweeping across our Nation.” https://t.co/dAlG7hq9Sd pic.twitter.com/oEN3rESfts
— Fox News (@FoxNews) March 1, 2017
Trump began by referring to his election as a “rebellion” against “mistakes of recent decades”…
Then, in 2016, the earth shifted beneath our feet. The rebellion started as a quiet protest, spoken by families of all colors and creeds -– families who just wanted a fair shot for their children, and a fair hearing for their concerns.
But then the quiet voices became a loud chorus — as thousands of citizens now spoke out together, from cities small and large, all across our country.
Finally, the chorus became an earthquake – and the people turned out by the tens of millions, and they were all united by one very simple, but crucial demand, that America must put its own citizens first … because only then, can we truly MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN.
Trump then reminded Congress of his market gains…
Since my election, Ford, Fiat-Chrysler, General Motors, Sprint, Softbank, Lockheed, Intel, Walmart, and many others, have announced that they will invest billions of dollars in the United States and will create tens of thousands of new American jobs.
The stock market has gained almost three trillion dollars in value since the election on November 8th, a record. We’ve saved taxpayers hundreds of millions of dollars by bringing down the price of the fantastic new F-35 jet fighter, and will be saving billions more dollars on contracts all across our government.
We have placed a hiring freeze on non-military and non-essential federal workers.
“Draining the swamp” got a somewhat subdued rund of applause…
We have begun to drain the swamp of government corruption by imposing a five year ban on lobbying by executive branch officials –- and a lifetime ban on becoming lobbyists for a foreign government.
Nancy Pelosi was not impressed…
This reaction by @NancyPelosi is EVERYTHING #SOTU @Shareblue pic.twitter.com/nW9Qf8tSZS
— Tommy Christopher (@tommyxtopher) March 1, 2017
As Trump turned to immigration…
Trump will not allow “terrorism to form inside America. We cannot allow our nation to become a sanctuary of extremists.” #JointAddress pic.twitter.com/eNslYVTIqu
— New York Times Video (@nytvideo) March 1, 2017
It is not compassionate, but reckless, to allow uncontrolled entry from places where proper vetting cannot occur. Those given the high honor of admission to the United States should support this country and love its people and its values.
We cannot allow a beachhead of terrorism to form inside America — we cannot allow our Nation to become a sanctuary for extremists.
I believe that real and positive immigration reform is possible, as long as we focus on the following goals: to improve jobs and wages for Americans, to strengthen our nation’s security, and to restore respect for our laws.
If we are guided by the well-being of American citizens then I believe Republicans and Democrats can work together to achieve an outcome that has eluded our country for decades.
And free trade, quoting Lincoln…
“The first Republican President, Abraham Lincoln, warned that the “abandonment of the protective policy by the American Government [will] produce want and ruin among our people,” he says.
Lincoln was right — and it is time we heeded his words. I am not going to let America and its great companies and workers, be taken advantage of anymore.
I am going to bring back millions of jobs. Protecting our workers also means reforming our system of legal immigration. The current, outdated system depresses wages for our poorest workers, and puts great pressure on taxpayers.
Obamacare was up next…The Republican side of the chamber jumps to their feet and cheers.
Check out Nancy Pelosi’s reaction to Trump calling Obamacare a “disaster” pic.twitter.com/h4r0T7kabf
— Axios (@axios) March 1, 2017
The Democrats all remain seated, with some female politicians in white suits seen giving the thumbs down to Trump’s comments.
Big applause from Republicans on “repeal and replace Obamacare.” Some Dems signal thumbs down https://t.co/5iBV2jtl98 pic.twitter.com/ZTWDBrKNtS
— Bloomberg (@business) March 1, 2017
Mandating every American to buy government-approved health insurance was never the right solution for America. The way to make health insurance available to everyone is to lower the cost of health insurance, and that is what we will do.
Trump offers some details on this…
First, we should ensure that Americans with pre-existing conditions have access to coverage, and that we have a stable transition for Americans currently enrolled in the healthcare exchanges.
Secondly, we should help Americans purchase their own coverage, through the use of tax credits and expanded Health Savings Accounts –- but it must be the plan they want, not the plan forced on them by the Government.
Thirdly, we should give our great State Governors the resources and flexibility they need with Medicaid to make sure no one is left out.
Fourthly, we should implement legal reforms that protect patients and doctors from unnecessary costs that drive up the price of insurance – and work to bring down the artificially high price of drugs and bring them down immediately.
Finally, the time has come to give Americans the freedom to purchase health insurance across State lines –- creating a truly competitive national marketplace that will bring cost way down and provide far better care.
Trump then discusses education, positioning it as a race issue.
Education is the civil rights issue of our time.
I am calling upon members of both parties to pass an education bill that funds school choice for disadvantaged youth, including millions of African-American and Latino children. These families should be free to choose the public, private, charter, magnet, religious or home school that is right for them.
Ron Paul had some things to say on that…
If you really want to reduce the violence in our cities…get rid of the drug war!
— Ron Paul (@RonPaul) March 1, 2017
Trump then turned to Military and veterans:
“I am sending the Congress a budget that rebuilds the military, eliminates the Defense sequester, and calls for one of the largest increases in national defense spending in American history,” says Trump.
“My budget will also increase funding for our veterans.
“Our veterans have delivered for this Nation –- and now we must deliver for them.”
Carryn Owens, the widow of a US Navy Special Operator, Senior Chief William “Ryan” Owens, who died in a raid in Yemen in January, shortly after Trump’s inauguration, was in attendance and received a very length standing ovation as Trump paid him (and her) tribute…
Widow of Ryan Owens, Navy SEAL slain in Yemen raid, acknowledged by Pres. Trump at #JointAddress https://t.co/abn2wubjTr pic.twitter.com/ysEatnaXyr
— CBS News (@CBSNews) March 1, 2017
But Ron Paul once again made a noteworthy point…
Warmongering is alive and well. Tragically. Focus on the widow. What a terrible use of tragedy for political purposes.
— Ron Paul (@RonPaul) March 1, 2017
Trump ended on a much more upbeat optimistic tone (especialy compared to his inaugural address)
“My job is not to represent the world. My job is to represent the United States of America.”
“Everything that is broken in our country can be fixed”
.@POTUS: “Everything that is broken in our country can be fixed” https://t.co/4ddqDrFK9s pic.twitter.com/fjfDJ6AhV4
— POLITICO (@politico) March 1, 2017
.@POTUS: “We all bleed the same blood. We all salute the same flag. And we are all made by the same God.” https://t.co/OJYBoBsiIM pic.twitter.com/l6TJ3oGut9
— FOX Business (@FoxBusiness) March 1, 2017
* * *
We leave it to Ron Paul – who has been very vocal tonight – to sum it up:
Now the grades: His vision for the US at its 250th anniversary: A-
His methods to achieve it? He gets: F.— Ron Paul (@RonPaul) March 1, 2017
