Seven main takeaways from Trump’s speech to Congres

President Donald Trump delivered his speech to Congress on Tuesday evening, and Democrats brought many different levels of protest to the floor. 

The address, which spanned over one hour and 40 minutes was full of jaw-dropping moments and drama between lawmakers. 

Trump was even stopped at the start of his speech by a rankled Democrat, Al Green, who took issue with the Republican’s Medicare stance and was thrown out of the chamber by Speaker Mike Johnson.

Other wild moments unfolded during Trump’s first major address in his second term. 

DailyMail.com breaks down the seven main takeaways from his speech: 

1. Trump competes with dour Democrats   

It was clear early on that Democrats planned unprecedented opposition to the president’s address. 

House and Senate Democratic leaders did not join the escort committee for the president on Capitol Hill. Democrats turned their backs to Trump as he entered the chamber and did not shake his hand. 

Rep. Melanie Stansbury held up a ‘This is not normal’ sign as Trump entered the chamber. 

Trump began his speech by correctly predicting that it would be difficult to get Democrats to stand, clap, or cheer for anything he had to say.

‘I look at the Democrats in front of me and realize—there’s nothing I can say to make them happy, stand, smile, or applaud.’ Trump admitted. 

He was right. 

Rep. Al Green interrupted Trump’s speech early on waving his cane and repeatedly shouting at the president until Speaker Mike Johnson had him removed from the chamber. 

 Some Democrats sat quietly holding up signs declaring the president a ‘liar.’ Other were more vocal as they shouted ‘lies’ and ‘you’re lying’ as he spoke.  

2. Trump backs Elon Musk’s work at DOGE with strong focus on government fraud

President Trump voiced his support for the work of DOGE and Elon Musk’s role in rooting out waste, fraud, and abuse in government. 

It was a strong show of support even as Musk has faced the brunt of opposition among Democrats for his efforts. 

Even some Congressional Republicans have voiced their disappointment with how Musk has handled some of the cuts. 

Musk was present for the speech wearing a suit, and gave a much different salute to the president and the Republican lawmakers who applauded his efforts.

 Trump spent a significant part of his speech highlighting some of the egregious waste found in the federal government sending the message that DOGE is here to stay. 

3. Trump celebrates early victories on border enforcement

President Trump delighted in sharing good news on border enforcement in his first month as president, even without Congress.  

‘Turns out all we really needed was a new President,’ he said in a line that drew laughter and applause from Republicans in the audience. 

4. Trump’s surprise announcement on terrorist arrest  

President Trump surprised viewers with the news of the arrest of one of the terrorists behind the Abbey Gate attack in Afghanistan. 

‘We have just apprehended the top terrorist responsible for that atrocity, and he is right now on his way here to face the swift sword of American justice,’ Trump announced. 

5. Trump awards honorary Secret Service status to a young cancer survivor. 

President Trump  honored several guests in his box, but one of the most heartwarming was his special tribute to a young 13-year-old cancer survivor who dreamed of being a police officer. Trump surprised him by having his Secret Service director Sean Curren hand the boy a badge and making him an honorary 

Trump surprised him by having his Secret Service director Sean Curren hand the boy a badge and making him an honorary agent. 

It was a touching moment, even as some Democrats had already left the speech in protest.  

6. Trump recognizes Laken Riley and welcomes members of her family   

President Joe Biden’s State of the Union address last year was remarkable after protesting Republicans successfully demanded that the president acknowledge the death of Laken Riley, a 22-year-old Georgia nursing student who was murdered weeks earlier by Jose Antonio Ibarra, a Venezuelan migrant who entered the country illegally. 

This year, Trump brought Laken’s mother, Allyson Phillips, and her sister, Lauren Phillips to the first lady’s box to recognize their loss and promise to do more to enforce the border. 

Trump also signed an executive order to rename the Anahuac National Wildlife Refuge after Jocelyn Nungaray, a 12-year-old child who was allegedly kidnapped and murdered by two illegal migrants from Venezuela. 

Jocelyn’s mother was another guest in the first lady’s box, to further emphasize Trump’s vow to keep dangerous migrants out of the country. 

The president’s aides angrily condemned many Democrats on the floor for refusing to stand and recognize and clap during the president’s acknowledgment of their losses. 

‘To their unending shame, Democrats refused to stand to honor the life and memory of Laken Riley before her grieving parents,’ Trump’s Deputy Chief of Staff for Policy and Homeland Security Advisor Stephen Miller wrote on social media.

‘They didn’t stand for Jocelyn,’ he added. ‘I am sick even thinking about that level of callousness.’

7. Trump signals willingness to negotiate with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky 

President Donald Trump signaled he would allow Zelensky to return to the negotiating table despite the disruptive meeting in the Oval Office on Friday that led Trump to order him to leave. 

Trump revealed he received a letter from Zelensky telling the United States he was willing to negotiate. 

‘Wouldn’t that be beautiful?’ Trump asked. ‘It’s time to stop this madness. … If you want to end wars you have to talk to both sides.’ 

When Trump noted that Biden had sent hundreds of billions of dollars to support Ukraine, Democrats clapped.

‘You want to keep it going another 5 years?’ Trump asked.

‘Yeah, Pocahontas says yes,’ Trump said, zinging Warren who remained clapping on camera.