U.S. President Donald Trump declared a “golden age” for America in his first second-term State of the Union on Tuesday evening, delivering the longest-ever address at more than 90 minutes. Here are the main takeaways.
The address focused on major policy themes, with President Trump emphasising tougher immigration controls, robust economic growth, nationwide crime reduction and his tariff strategy, while also highlighting foreign policy achievements, including U.S. action in Venezuela, the Gaza ceasefire, and warnings to Iran.
President Trump asserted that the U.S. border is now secure and highlighted efforts to sharply reduce illegal crossings. He called on Congress to expand funding for the Department of Homeland Security and maintain strict enforcement measures, emphasising support for “legal” immigration channels.
“After four years in which millions and millions of illegal aliens poured across our borders totally unvetted and unchecked. We now have the strongest and most secure border in American history by far,” he announced.
Trump criticised a recent Supreme Court ruling that struck down large portions of his tariff regime last Friday (20 February), describing it as “very unfortunate,” and promised to pursue alternative legal avenues to maintain trade duties he says protects American industry.
"I used these tariffs, took in hundreds of billions of dollars, to make great deals for our country, both economically and on a national security basis," Trump said.
The U.S. President hailed the removal of Nicolás Maduro as a “colossal victory for the security of the United States”, while celebrating the release of political prisoners, and announcing ongoing oil shipments from Venezuela under its interim leadership.
"It also opens up a bright new beginning for the people of Venezuela. We're working closely with the new president of Venezuela, Delcy Rodriguez, to unleash extraordinary economic gains for both of our countries and to bring new hope to those who have suffered so terribly," he added.
Trump highlighted progress on a ceasefire in Gaza and issued stern warnings to Iran regarding its nuclear ambitions, framing these alongside other diplomatic and military actions as evidence of U.S. strength abroad.
"They've (Tehran) already developed missiles that can threaten Europe and our bases overseas," Trump said, "and they're working to build missiles that will soon reach the United States of America."
"They were warned to make no future attempts to rebuild their weapons programme, in particular, nuclear weapons. Yet they continue," he added.
Iran denies its nuclear programme is aimed at producing weapons.
He argued that inflation is falling and incomes are rising, blamed high prices on the policies of his predecessor, and highlighted executive actions aimed at lowering prescription drug costs, curbing speculative home buying, and regulating energy use by artificial intelligence (AI) data centres.
"After just one year, I can say with dignity and pride that we have achieved a transformation like no one has ever seen before, and a turnaround for the ages. It is indeed a turnaround for the ages."
He urged the passage of the SAVE America Act, which would impose mandatory voter ID and proof-of-citizenship requirements, repeating claims of widespread election fraud despite a lack of evidence.
The address was marked by a stark partisan rift, with visible protests from Democratic MPs on the House floor, including the removal of one member for holding a protest sign reading, “Black people are not apes”, referring to a racist video recently shared online by Trump.
Applause from Republican representatives contrasted sharply with jeers from their Democratic counterparts, highlighting the deep and persistent rift shaping Congress and the wider national political landscape.
U.S. President Donald Trump says China's Xi Jinping agreed Iran must reopen the Strait of Hormuz, as Tehran prepares a new shippin...
Jeffrey D. Sachs, an economist, public policy analyst, Columbia University professor, and UN advisor, said Azerbaijan and the wider South Caucasus ...
The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared an Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Uganda a Public Health Emergency o...
The World Urban Forum (WUF) opens this week in Baku, Azerbaijan, bringing together governments, city leaders, urban planners, researchers and ...
China has launched the world’s first experiment to study how artificial human embryos develop in space, mark...
U.S. President Donald Trump says China's Xi Jinping agreed Iran must reopen the Strait of Hormuz, as Tehran prepares a new shipping mechanism. Tensions over the U.S. blockade and stalled nuclear talks continue to disrupt global oil supplies.
Jeffrey D. Sachs, an economist, public policy analyst, Columbia University professor, and UN advisor, said Azerbaijan and the wider South Caucasus could become one of the world’s key strategic connectors in an emerging multipolar order.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared an Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Uganda a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC), warning that the situation poses a significant risk of cross-border spread in Central Africa.
The World Urban Forum (WUF) opens this week in Baku, Azerbaijan, bringing together governments, city leaders, urban planners, researchers and civil society to exchange ideas on how cities can become more inclusive, resilient and sustainable.
Bulgaria has won the Eurovision Song Contest for the first time, taking victory in a final overshadowed by a boycott over Israel’s participation and the war in Gaza.
Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Tehran has “no trust” in the United States and will only consider negotiations if Washington shows seriousness. His remarks came as talks on Iran’s nuclear programme continued, with Trump and Xi also opposing Iran acquiring nuclear weapons.
U.S. President Donald Trump said Washington could destroy Iran’s infrastructure “in two days,” while Tehran warned the U.S. would face growing economic costs from the conflict. The remarks came as Hezbollah reported new attacks on Israeli forces despite an extended Lebanon ceasefire.
At least eight people were injured after a driver rammed a car into pedestrians in the northern Italian city of Modena, authorities said on Saturday. Four of the victims were reported to be in serious condition.
Russia and Ukraine exchanged prisoners of war as well as the bodies of fallen soldiers, on Friday (15 May). The swap came as Ukranian officials said Moscow had carried out its largest aerial attack over 48 hours since the conflict started.
China has launched the world’s first experiment to study how artificial human embryos develop in space, marking a major step in understanding whether humans could one day reproduce beyond Earth.
Every day, an elderly woman in China’s Shandong province looks forward to a video call from her son. He asks about her health, tells her he has been busy with work, and promises he will come home once he has saved enough money. She tells him she misses him. He tells her to take care of herself.
Bulgaria has won the Eurovision Song Contest for the first time, taking victory in a final overshadowed by a boycott over Israel’s participation and the war in Gaza.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared an Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Uganda a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC), warning that the situation poses a significant risk of cross-border spread in Central Africa.
At least eight people were injured after a driver rammed a car into pedestrians in the northern Italian city of Modena, authorities said on Saturday. Four of the victims were reported to be in serious condition.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment