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

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

ByAlexandra Hutzler, Ivan Pereira, Emily Chang, and Julia Reinstein
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.

Key headlines:

Here's how the news developed:
Mar 04, 2025, 9:13 PM EST

Musk seen taking video

Musk, who liberally takes to X to post his thoughts, was seen taking video from inside the chambers.

White House Senior Advisor to the President, Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk takes a picture ahead of U.S. President Donald Trump's address to a joint session of Congress at the U.S. Capitol, Mar. 4, 2025 in Washington.
Andrew Harnik/Getty Images

Mar 04, 2025, 9:11 PM EST

Congress members get ready for the speech

As Congress waited for Trump to arrive at the podium, the mood was divided inside the Capitol.

Rep. Marjorie Taylor-Greene was seen with a red hat that says “Trump Was Right About Everything.”

About two dozen Democratic women are wearing pink outfits while several GOP women are wearing red.

Rep. Jill Tokuda wears a jacket with writing of the U.S. Constitution on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives ahead of U.S. President Donald Trump's joint address to Congress at the U.S. Capitol, Mar. 4, 2025 in Washington.
Win McNamee/Getty Images

There are some fresh faces among the so-called "aisle hogs" that will attempt to greet the president as he enters the chamber.

Republican Reps. Anna Paulina Luna, Lauren Boebert, Tim Burchett, Jeff Van Drew, Mary Miller, Diane Harshbarger, Cory Mills, Byron Donalds, Chip Roy and David Joyce were seen in the aisle.

-ABC News' Rachel Scott, John Parkinson and Lauren Peller

Mar 04, 2025, 9:08 PM EST

Cabinet members file in

Trump's Cabinet members file into the chamber, shaking hands with members.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem were among the first to make their way in.

Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth and his wife Jennifer Rauchet arrive for President Donald Trump's address to a joint session of Congress at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, Mar. 4, 2025.
Alex Wroblewski/AFP via Getty Images

Steve Witkoff, Trump's special envoy to the Middle East, entered right behind first lady Melania Trump.

Many members of the Cabinet faced extremely close confirmation votes.

Mar 04, 2025, 9:05 PM EST

Melania Trump receives standing applause

First lady Melania Trump has entered the chamber to a standing ovation. Her guests tonight include freed American Marc Fogel, the family of Corey Comperatore and the mother of Laken Riley.

First Lady Melania Trump arrives prior to US President Donald Trump's address to a joint session of Congress at the Capitol in Washington, Mar. 4, 2025.
Jim Watson/AFP via Getty Images

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