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, 11:16 PM EST

Slotkin starts with economy, says Trump talked a 'big game'

Trump didn't discuss the economy much during his speech, other than defending his new tariffs and blaming President Joe Biden for inflation. Slotkin, by contrast, started her speech by homing in on the economy. She said America needs to bring down costs on groceries, housing, health care and bring back good-paying jobs.

"Look, the president talked a big game on the economy, but it's always important to read the fine print. So do his plans actually help Americans get ahead? Not even close," Slotkin said.

Mar 04, 2025, 11:12 PM EST

Elissa Slotkin begins Democratic rebuttal

Democratic Sen. Elissa Slotkin is now delivering the Democratic response to Trump's address. She is speaking from Michigan, a key swing state that went for Trump in 2024.

Sen. Elissa Slotkin delivers the Democratic response to President Donald Trump's addresses a joint session of Congress, from Michigan, Mar. 4, 2025 in Washington.
ABC News

Mar 04, 2025, 11:03 PM EST

Trump wraps speech: 'Fight, fight, fight'

One of his last messages for the room was a callback to his immediate response after being shot in Pennsylvania.

"We will stand up and we will fight, fight, fight for the country our citizens believe in and for the country our people deserve," he said.

President Donald Trump addresses a joint session of Congress at the U.S. Capitol on Mar. 4, 2025 in Washington.
Win Mcnamee/Pool via Reuters

The final words of Trump speech: "Get ready for an incredible future because the golden age of America has only just begun. It will be like nothing ever seen before. Thank you. God bless you and God bless America."

Mar 04, 2025, 11:01 PM EST

More Democrats leave as speech continues

More Democrats are trickling out of the chamber including Reps. Pramila Jayapal, Ilhan Omar, Jardee Huffman and Nydia Velazquez around 10:40 p.m.

Reps. Mark Takano and Joaquin Castro left when Trump brought up Sen. Elizabeth Warren.

Reps. Judy Chu and Mark Pocan left at approximately 10:48 p.m.

Seats are empty on the Democratic side of the aisle as President Donald Trump addresses a joint session of Congress in the House chamber at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, March 4, 2025.
Julia Demaree Nikhinson/AP

-ABC News' Lauren Peller

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