Trump airs familiar grievances, charts MAGA plan in address before bitterly divided Congress

Sen. Elissa Slotkin delivered the Democratic response to Trump's address.

Last Updated: March 5, 2025, 12:09 AM EST

President Donald Trump addressed a joint session of Congress on Tuesday night, six weeks into his historic return to the White House.

During the speech, Trump said "America is back" and defended the tariffs on key U.S. trading partners. He touched on immigration and the mineral deal with Ukraine, but neglected to go into detail on his economic plan. The speech was also met with protests and disruptions from Democrats.

Mar 04, 2025, 7:57 PM EST

Fired civil servants, Medicaid recipients among Dem guests

Many Democrats are bringing fired civil servants, farmers impacted by Trump’s tariff war, and folks who depend on Medicaid and Medicare, according to House and Senate members who have revealed their guests.

Republicans have invited a concentration of law enforcement officers and other officials.

-ABC News' John Parkinson

Mar 04, 2025, 7:49 PM EST

Former Trump adviser weighs in on what to expect in his speech

Danielle Alvarez, a former Trump campaign senior adviser, predicts Trump's speech will be a mix of touting the actions of his first 45 days in office and looking ahead to the future.

"I think he is going to flex his muscles a little bit to Congress and apply some pressure on them because they have to pass legislation and bills have to come across his desk in order to deliver on the mandate that Americans gave in November," she said on ABC News Live.

Danielle Alvarez, a former Trump campaign senior adviser, says viewers can expect a "forward-looking" message.
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Former Trump campaign adviser weighs in ahead of joint session addressDanielle Alvarez, a former Trump campaign senior adviser, says viewers can expect a "forward-looking" message.
ABCNews.com

Mar 04, 2025, 7:38 PM EST

House Freedom Caucus says Dems will be 'censured' if they disrupt Trump's speech

The House Freedom Caucus warned Tuesday they will move to censure any Democrats who disrupt or protest Trump’s speech tonight.

"We expect the Sergeant at Arms and Capitol Police to take appropriate action against any Members of Congress or other persons violating House rule," the caucus said in an X post.

At President Joe Biden’s 2022 State of the Union, Republicans including Georgia GOP Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene and Colorado GOP Rep. Lauren Boebert repeatedly interrupted the speech. Neither were censured.

-ABC News' Lauren Peller and Lalee Ibssa

Mar 04, 2025, 7:33 PM EST

Pelosi ripping Trump's speech and other memorable moments from past addresses

The annual presidential speeches have produced some memorable moments.

During President Joe Biden's last State of the Union in 2024, he came face to face with Republican Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene dressed in "Make America Great Again" regalia.

PHOTO: Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) looks on as President Biden arrives in the House chamber to deliver the annual State of the Union address in the House chamber at the Capital building on March 7, 2024 in Washington, D.C.
U.S. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) looks on as President Joe Biden arrives in the House chamber to deliver the annual State of the Union address before a joint session of Congress in the House chamber at the Capital building on March 7, 2024 in Washington, D.C.
Shawn Thew-Pool/Getty Images

In 2020, Nancy Pelosi, from her perch behind the president, dramatically ripped Trump's speech in half just after he finished.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi rips up papers after President Donald Trump delivers a State of the Union address to a joint session of Congress at the Capitol in Washington, D.C., Feb. 4, 2020.
Andrew Harrer/Bloomberg via Getty Images

In 2010, during President Barack Obama's second State of the Union address, Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito was seen mouthing the words "not true" after Obama criticized the court's "Citizens United" decision on corporate political contributions.

Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito looks on on as President Barack Obama enters the chamber before speaking to both houses of Congress during his first State of the Union address at the Capitol on Jan. 27, 2010 in Washington, D.C.
Alex Wong/Getty Images

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