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, 11:00 PM EST

Trump talks about Butler assassination attempt

Trump, who survived two assassination attempts during the 2024 campaign, talked about the shooting at his Butler, Pennsylvania, rally.

"A sick and deranged assassin unloaded eight bullets from his sniper's perch into a crowd of many. My life was saved by a fraction of an inch. But some were not so lucky," he said. He then shared a few words about Corey Comperatore, whose family is in the room for the speech.

"My life was saved by a fraction of an inch. But some were not so lucky," Trump said. He then shared a few words about Corey Comperatore, whose family was in the room for the speech.
2:45
Trump talks about Butler assassination attempt"My life was saved by a fraction of an inch. But some were not so lucky," Trump said. He then shared a few words about Corey Comperatore, whose family was in the room for the speech.
ABCNews.com

Mar 04, 2025, 10:58 PM EST

Marc Fogel, American teacher released from Russian prison, attends speech

Marc Fogel, an American history teacher who was released from a Russian prison last month after four years detainment, is in attendance at tonight's speech.

Marc Fogel, recently brought home to the US after being held in a Russian prison, stands as he is recognized by President Donald Trump during an address to a joint session of Congress at the US Capitol in Washington, DC, on March 4, 2025.
Jim Watson/AFP via Getty Images

Trump said he promised Fogel's mother "that we would bring her boy safely back home."

"After 22 days in office, I did just that," he said.

Mar 04, 2025, 10:57 PM EST

Trump brings back 'Pocahontas' taunt against Elizabeth Warren

As Trump finally turned to talking about Russia and Ukraine, Democrats clapped when he said the U.S. has sent billions of dollars to support Ukraine's defense.

"Do you want to keep it going for another five years? Yeah, yeah, you would say, Pocahontas says 'yes,'" he said. The reference is a callback to his 2018 taunt of Sen. Elizabeth Warren as she ran for president.

The camera then panned to Warren, who was wearing her signature blue suit. Warren clapped throughout Trump's jab.

Sen. Elizabeth Warren listens as President Donald Trump addresses a joint session of Congress in the House chamber at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, Mar. 4, 2025.
Julia Demaree Nikhinson/AP

Mar 04, 2025, 10:53 PM EST

Trump claims Zelenskyy wrote him a letter agreeing to sign minerals deal

Ukraine came up 90 minutes into the speech and Trump provided an update following last week's blow up in the Oval Office.

He claimed Zelenskyy sent him a letter today indicating that he was ready to come back to the negotiating table and was willing to sign the agreement to give the U.S. Ukraine's rare materials.

"Wouldn't that be beautiful? Wouldn't that be beautiful? It's time to stop this madness," Trump said.

Trump claimed Zelenskyy sent him a letter today indicating that he was ready to come back to the negotiating table and was willing to sign the agreement to give the U.S. Ukraine's rare materials.
3:34
Trump claims Zelenskyy wrote him a letter agreeing to sign minerals agreementTrump claimed Zelenskyy sent him a letter today indicating that he was ready to come back to the negotiating table and was willing to sign the agreement to give the U.S. Ukraine's rare materials.
ABCNews.com

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