>> THIS PROGRAM WAS BY CONTRIBUTIONS TO YOUR PBS STATION FROM VIEWERS LIKE YOU.

THANK YOU.

♪ GEOFF: WELCOME TO THIS PBS NEWS SPECIAL COVERAGE OF THE STATE OF THE UNION SPEECH DELIVERED BY PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP AND THE DEMOCRATIC RESPONSE FROM VIRGINIA GOVERNOR ABIGAIL SPANBERGER.

I'M GEOFF BENNETT.

AMNA: AND I'M AMNA NAWAZ.

THE PRESIDENT HAS PROMISED TONIGHT'S SPEECH WILL BE A LONG ONE BECAUSE, AS HE SAYS, THERE'S A LOT TO TALK ABOUT.

A LOT HAS CERTAINLY CHANGED SINCE MR.

TRUMP RE-ENTERED THE WHITE HOUSE 401 DAYS AGO FROM HIS IMMIGRATION CRACKDOWN IN U.S.

CITIES TO TARIFFS ON MANY FOREIGN GOODS.

JUST DAYS AGO, THAT CORNERSTONE OF HIS SECOND-TERM ECONOMIC POLICY WAS BLOCKED BY THE SUPREME COURT IN ITS SHARPEST REBUKE SO FAR.

SEVERAL OF THE JUSTICES ARE INSIDE THE HOUSE CHAMBER TONIGHT, THE FIRST TIME THEY'LL BE EYE TO EYE WITH THE PRESIDENT SINCE THAT DECISION.

GEOFF: OF COURSE, THE PRESIDENT WILL HEAR PLENTY OF CHEERS FROM HIS REPUBLICAN ALLIES TONIGHT.

WHILE ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE AISLE, MANY DEMOCRATS ARE SKIPPING THE SPEECH ENTIRELY.

AND FOR THE MILLIONS OF AMERICANS WATCHING AT HOME, THERE ARE SOME GROWING CONCERNS.

THE LATEST POLL FROM PBS NEWS, NPR AND MARIST FINDS THAT 6 IN 10 PEOPLE SAY THE COUNTRY IS WORSE OFF THAN A YEAR AGO.

AMNA: THE PRESIDENT WILL HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO HIT THE RESET BUTTON TONIGHT AS HE DELIVERS THIS FIRST STATE OF THE UNION ADDRESS OF HIS SECOND TERM LIVE FROM CAPITOL HILL, WHERE OUR TEAM IS STANDING BY.

WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT LIZ LANDERS IS RIGHT OUTSIDE THE HOUSE FLOOR.

WE HAVE GOTTEN SOME EXCERPTS FROM THE WHITE HOUSE IN TERMS OF WHAT TO EXPECT TONIGHT.

WHAT IS THE MESSAGE THE WHITE HOUSE WANTS TO DELIVER?

LIZ: WE HAVE STARTED TO GET SOME EXCERPTS FROM THE PRESIDENT'S SPEECH.

LARGELY WHAT WE ARE SEEING RIGHT NOW ARE MORE OF THOSE MESSAGES ABOUT THE ECONOMY.

FOCUSED ON COST OF LIVING.

WHAT PRESIDENT TRUMP AND THE ADMINISTRATION HAS TRIED TO DO SO FAR TO BRING DOWN COSTS ON THINGS LIKE PRESCRIPTION DRUGS.

HE WILL TALK ABOUT THE INFLATED PRESCRIPTION DRUG PRICES HE'S WORKED ON THROUGH HIS MOST FAVORED NATION'S POLICY TO BRING DOWN SOME OF THE DRUG PRICES.

ON EVERYTHING FROM GLP-1'S TO IN VITRO FOR GROVE VILLAGE -- IN VITRO FERTILIZATION MEDICATION.

TRYING TO BAN ON SINGLE-FAMILY HOMES.

HE WILL CALL ON DEMOCRATS DIRECTLY TO FUND THE DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY.

OUR VIEWERS MAY REMEMBER WE ARE IN A PARTIAL SHUTDOWN WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY'S FUNDING ON PAUSE AS DEMOCRATS TRY TO GET SOME NEGOTIATING ON SOME OF THE ICE TACTICS WE HAVE SEEN USED ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

THE PRESIDENT WILL CALL DIRECTLY ON DEMOCRATS SHORTLY IN THE CHAMBER TO FUND THE BORDER SECURITY AND THE DEPARTMENT.

HE WILL END ON A NOTE TOPIC AND HARKENING ON THE FACT THIS IS AMERICA'S 250TH ANNIVERSARY.

SAYING THE REVOLUTION THAT BEGAN IN 1776 HAS NOT ENDED AND IT STILL CONTINUES.

AMNA?

GEOFF: LET'S TURN TO LISA DESJARDINS IS INSIDE THE HOUSE CHAMBER.

WHAT ARE YOU SEEING AND HEARING?

WE SAW MEMBERS OF THE CABINET, THE CHIEF OF STAFF SUSIE WILES MADE HER WAY IN.

YOU HAVE A CHOICE SPOT IN THE GALLERY, JUST THE TOP FROM THE PRESIDENT WILL BE SPEAKING TONIGHT.

WHAT ARE YOU SEEING?

LISA: IT IS AN INCREDIBLE PRIVILEGE AND I'VE NEVER SEEN A STATE OF THE UNION LOOK LIKE THIS.

I SEE REPUBLICANS, MANY WOMEN WEARING REG, ENTHUSIASTIC FOR THE PRESIDENT.

ON THE OTHER SIDE, DEMOCRATS, MORE SOMBER AND MANY EMPTY SEATS.

DOZENS OF DEMOCRATS ARE BOYCOTTING.

JUST FOUR OF THE NINE MEMBERS OF THE SUPREME COURT ARE HERE TONIGHT.

NOT EVEN THE MAJORITY OF THE COURT IS HERE.

TO MY LEFT IS THE FIRST LADY'S BOX.

I CAN SEE THE ENTIRE TRUMP FAMILY.

TRUMP FIVE CHILDREN ARE IN THE FRONT ROW SITTING NEXT TO LONNIE AND TRUMP.

SHE RECEIVED A BIG ROUND OF APPLAUSE.

MANY OTHER GUESTS IN THE GALLERY WILL BE NOTABLE.

TO MY LEFT, SEVERAL EPSTEIN SURVIVORS WEARING BUTTERFLY PINS, WONDERING IF THE PRESIDENT WILL ADDRESS THEM AND THE NEED THAT THEY SEE FOR MORE REVIEWS OF THE EPSTEIN FILES.

BUT I DON'T SEE IS THE U.S.

HOCKEY TEAM.

NOT IN THE CHAMBER YET.

MY UNDERSTANDING IS THEY WILL ENTER DURING THE SPEECH AND LEAVE DURING THE SPEECH.

THEY ARE NOT SEATED.

GEOFF: THANK YOU.

WITH US AT THE TABLE ALL EVENING AND IT COULD BE A LONG EVENING ARE AMY WALTER OF "THE COOK , POLITICAL REPORT."

REPUBLICAN STRATEGIST KEVIN MADDEN.

DEMOCRATIC STRATEGIST FAIZ SHAKIR.

AND TIFFANY SMILEY, FORMER REPUBLICAN SENATE CANDIDATE IN WASHINGTON STATE.

TIFFANY, THE PRESIDENT COMES INTO TONIGHT'S SPEECH OBJECTIVELY WEAKENED.

HE'S GOT THE SUPREME COURT SETBACK ON TARIFFS, THE SLUMPING APPROVAL NOBLES, WARNING SIGNS FOR REPUBLICANS IN THE MIDTERMS.

HOW DOES HE USE THIS SPEECH AS A MOMENT TO RESET?

TIFFANY: THIS IS TRUMP DOMINATING ONCE AGAIN AND HE WILL MAKE IT A VERY STRONG SPEECH.

A SPEECH FOR HOPE AND VISION IN THE FUTURE AS OF WHAT HE WILL DELIVER ON.

THIS SUMMER, HE PASSED THE HISTORIC NO TAX ON TIPS ACTS, WHICH IS HUGE FOR THE AMERICAN PEOPLE.

NO TAX ON OVERTIME.

INCREASED CHILD CREDIT TAX, AMONGST OTHER THINGS.

THE AMERICAN PEOPLE WILL START TO FEEL THAT IN THE COMING MONTHS AS THEY FILE THEIR TAXES AND SEE MORE MONEY COMING BACK INTO THE POCKET.

SEE GAS PRICES COMING DOWN.

THE CONSUMER INDEX WAS BUMPED UP A LITTLE BIT TODAY.

THOSE ARE GOOD TRENDS.

THE WIND IN TRUMP'S SAILS.

IT WILL BE A POWERFUL SPEECH AND A SPEECH ABOUT NOT JUST TODAY, BUT PERHAPS A BETTER FUTURE FOR OUR CHILDREN'S CHILDREN.

AMNA: LET'S TAKE A LISTEN INTO THE HOUSE CHAMBER FLOOR.

>> MR.

SPEAKER, THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES.

[APPLAUSE] AMNA: YOU SEE THE PRESIDENT THERE ENTERING THE CHAMBER.

HE WILL MAKE HIS WAY DOWN THE AISLE.

GREET PEOPLE ALONG THE AISLE IN THOSE CHOICE AISLE SEATS.

FOLLOWED BY CONGRESSIONAL REPUBLICAN LEADERSHIP BEHIND HIM.

CONTINUING TO WATCH THE PRESIDENT MAKING HIS WAY TO DELIVER THE STATE OF THE UNION ADDRESS.

AS WE CONTINUE TO WATCH THIS UNFOLD, THIS IS HIS FIRST STATE OF THE UNION SINCE RETURNING TO THE WHITE HOUSE OVER A YEAR AGO.

TOLD US A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THE PUBLIC HE IS SPEAKING TO.

WHERE THE AMERICAN PEOPLE ARE AT THIS MOMENT.

TELL US A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THE MESSAGE HE WILL TRY TO SEND TONIGHT.

>> AS I LOOK AT SOME OF THESE EXCERPTS, THIS IS THE MESSAGE THAT REPUBLICANS, ESPECIALLY REPUBLICANS ON THE BALLOT LAST YEAR WOULD LIKE TO SEE HIM TALK ABOUT OVER AND OVER AGAIN THINGS THE ADMINISTRATION HAS BEEN DOING ON THESE ISSUES.

TO ME, THE ULTIMATE CHALLENGE FOR THE PRESIDENT AND FOR REPUBLICANS IN THIS UPCOMING ELECTION ISN'T WHAT HE SAYS TONIGHT, BUT IT IS WHETHER HE WILL CONTINUE TO SAY THIS TOMORROW, A WEEK FROM NOW, TWO MONTHS FROM NOW.

WILL HE STAY HAS FOCUSED ON THIS?

ONE THING I FOUND REALLY INTERESTING IN LOOKING BACK -- I KNOW IT WAS NOT OFFICIALLY A STATE OF THE UNION LAST TIME, BUT IT FELT VERY MUCH LIKE THIS - - THIS WAS CNN POLLING WHERE THEY ASKED DO YOU THINK THE PRESIDENT HAS THE RIGHT PRIORITIES OR HAS NOT PAID ENOUGH ATTENTION TO THE MOST IMPORTANT THINGS FOR PEOPLE?

AT THAT TIME, 43% SAID HE HAD THE RIGHT PRIORITIES.

57% SAID HE WAS FOCUSED ON THE WRONG THINGS.

TODAY, THAT IS TWICE AS HIGH OF A GAP.

MORE PEOPLE THAN EVERYTHING HE'S NOT FOCUSED ON THE RIGHT PRIORITIES.

THIS IS REALLY THE MOMENT HE HAS TO FOCUS ON THOSE THINGS.

PEOPLE SAY THEY WANT THE PRESIDENT TO TALK MORE ABOUT AND FOCUS ON MORE, WHICH IS COST-OF-LIVING.

AGAIN, WHETHER HE CAN DO THAT, DAY IN AND DAY OUT FROM HERE THROUGH NOVEMBER IS THE REAL CHALLENGE.

GEOFF: YOU CAN SEE THE PRESIDENT SHAKING HANDS WITH THE CHIEF JUSTICE OF THE SUPREME COURT AND THREE OTHER MEMBERS OF THE COURT.

KEVIN MADDEN, WHAT DOES THE PRESIDENT DO WHEN THE ISSUES THAT POWERED HIS RISE, IN PRESIDENT TRUMP'S CASE, THE ECONOMY AND IMMIGRATION, ARE EFFECTIVELY HIS LIABILITIES?

KEVIN: I THINK ONE OF THE KEY THINGS HERE IS THIS IS A SPEECH THAT WILL BE PROVIDED IN THE CONTEXT OF THE REALITY OF WHAT THE AMERICAN PEOPLE ARE FEELING.

EVERY SINGLE PRESIDENT AND I THINK EVERY SINGLE POLITICIAN WHO ULTIMATELY ANSWERS THE QUESTION, DOES THIS PERSON UNDERSTAND THE PROBLEMS OF PEOPLE LIKE ME A FURTIVE MILLIE - - AFFIRMATIVELY?

THEY ARE ALWAYS HAVING MORE POLITICAL CAPITAL.

HE HAS LOST THAT THE LAST COUPLE OF MONTHS AND HE NEEDS TO REGAIN IT.

ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT THINGS YOU CAN DO TONIGHT IS AVOID TALKING TO THE ROOM AND THE THEATRICS AND THE PAGEANTRY OF THE ROOM, AND TALK DIRECTLY TO THE AMERICAN PEOPLE ABOUT THE ANXIETIES THEY HAVE ABOUT RISING COSTS, THE COST OF HEALTH CARE, AND THE FUTURE.

WITH THAT OPTIMISM, GAIN BACK THAT POLITICAL CAPITAL.

AMNA: HOW ARE YOU LOOKING AT THIS ADDRESS TONIGHT, HOW ARE DEMOCRATS LOOKING AT THIS ADDRESS?

FROM THE EXCERPTS WE HAVE SEEN, THERE A LOT OF FOCUS ON AFFORDABILITY.

THAT IS ONE OF THE DEMOCRATS KEY MESSAGES.

FAIZ: TO JUMP OFF KEVIN'S POINT, THIS IS A PRESIDENT WHO HAS ACTED ON BEHALF OF THE OLIGARCHY AND WILL HAVE A HARD TIME CONVINCING PEOPLE OTHERWISE.

SUGGESTING THAT HE CARES ABOUT THE WORKING CLASS, BUT THE LAST YEAR, TAX CUTS, AI DATA CENTER DEVELOPMENT.

THIS IS A PRESIDENT, TALKING ABOUT THE PRIORITIES.

HE HAS INDICATED THE PRIORITIES HAVE BEEN ON THE WEALTHY CLASS.

HIS RELATIONSHIP WITH BILLIONAIRES HAS NEVER BEEN BETTER.

HIS ACTIONS ON THEIR BEHALF, ALL OF HIS ADMINISTRATIVE ACTIONS HAVE BEEN FOR THEM.

HE'S LOST THE COUNTRY ON WHAT HE'S TRYING TO DO WITH IMMIGRATION.

HE'S MADE CHOICES BUDGET WISE TO SPEND MONEY ON THINGS PEOPLE DISAGREE WITH, SO HE WILL HAVE A HARD TIME RECONCILING WITH THE FACT HE'S BEEN PRESIDENT FOR A YEAR.

THE REALITY IS THE PROOF IS IN THE PUDDING AND PEOPLE DON'T LIKE IT.

GEOFF: YOU TALKED ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF MESSAGE DISCIPLINE.

WHAT DO YOU EXPECT FROM THIS SPEECH?

WILL THIS BE A RALLY SPEECH OR A GOVERNING SPEECH?

>> THAT IS AN EXCELLENT QUESTION.

IT IS USUALLY A COMBINATION OF BOTH.

GEOFF: LET'S LISTEN IN.

[APPLAUSE] [AUDIENCE CHANTING "USA"] PRES.

TRUMP: THANK, EVERYBODY -- THANK YOU VERY MUCH, EVERYBODY.

IT IS AN HONOR.

SPEAKER JOHNSON, VICE PRESIDENT VANCE.

FIRST LADY OF THE UNITED STATES.

[APPLAUSE] SECOND LADY OF THE UNITED STATES.

[APPLAUSE] MEMBERS OF CONGRESS AND MY FELLOW AMERICANS.

OUR NATION IS BACK, BIGGER, BETTER, RICHER AND STRONGER THAN EVER BEFORE.

[APPLAUSE] LESS THAN FIVE MONTHS FROM NOW, OUR COUNTRY WILL CELEBRATE AN AN EPIC MILESTONE IN AMERICAN HISTORY.

THE 250TH ANNIVERSARY OF OUR GLORIOUS AMERICAN INDEPENDENCE.

THIS JULY FOR, WE WILL MARK 2.5 CENTURIES OF LIBERTY AND TRIUMPH, PROGRESS AND FREEDOM IN THE MOST INCREDIBLE AN EXCEPTIONAL NATION EVER TO EXIST IN THE FACE OF THE EARTH.

YOU HAVE SEEN NOTHING YET.

WE WILL DO BETTER AND BETTER.

THIS IS THE GOLDEN AGE OF AMERICA.

[APPLAUSE] WHEN I LAST SPOKE IN THIS CHAMBER 12 MONTHS AGO, I HAD JUST INHERITED A NATION IN CRISIS WITH A STAGNANT ECONOMY, INFLATION AT RECORD LEVELS.

A WIDE OPEN BORDER.

HORRENDOUS RECRUITMENT FOR MILITARY AND POLICE.

RAMPANT CRIME AT HOME.

AND WARS AND CHAOS ALL OVER THE WORLD.

BUT TONIGHT, 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.

[APPLAUSE] AND WE WILL NEVER GO BACK TO WHERE WE WERE JUST A VERY SHORT TIME AGO.

WE'RE NOT GOING BACK.

TONIGHT, OUR BORDER IS SECURE.

[AUDIENCE CHANTING "USA"] THANK YOU.

TODAY, OUR BORDER IS SECURE, OUR SPIRIT IS RESTORED.

INFLATION IS PLUMMETING.

INCOMES ARE RISING FAST.

THE ROARING ECONOMY IS ROARING LIKE NEVER BEFORE AND OUR ENEMIES ARE SCARED.

OUR MILITARY AND POLICE ARE STACKED AND AMERICA IS RESPECTED AGAIN, PERHAPS LIKE NEVER BEFORE.

[APPLAUSE] AFTER FOUR YEARS IN WHICH MILLIONS AND MILLIONS OF ILLEGALS ALIENS POURED ACROSS OUR BORDER, WE NOW HAVE THE MOST SECURE AND STRONGEST BORDER IN AMERICAN HISTORY BY FAR.

[APPLAUSE] IN THE PAST NINE MONTHS, ZERO ILLEGAL ALIENS HAVE BEEN ADMITTED TO THE UNITED STATES.

[APPLAUSE] BUT WE WILL ALWAYS ALLOW PEOPLE TO COME IN LEGALLY.

PEOPLE THAT WILL LOVE OUR COUNTRY AND WILL WORK HARD TO MAINTAIN OUR COUNTRY.

[APPLAUSE] THE FLOW OF DEADLY FENTANYL ACROSS OUR BORDER IS DOWN BY A RECORD 56% IN ONE YEAR.

[APPLAUSE] AND LAST YEAR, THE MURDER RATE SAW ITS SINGLE LARGEST DECLINE IN RECORDED HISTORY.

THIS IS THE BIGGEST DECLINE -- THINK OF IT, IN RECORDED HISTORY.

THE LOWEST NUMBER IN OVER 125 YEARS.

THE YEAR 1900.

IN FACT, SUBSTANTIALLY BEFORE MY WONDERFUL FATHER -- I HAD A WONDERFUL FATHER, FRED -- BEFORE HE WAS BORN, SUBSTANTIALLY BEFORE HE WAS BORN.

IT WAS A LONG TIME AGO.

HE WOULDN'T LIKE ME TO SAY THAT BUT IT WAS A LONG TIME AGO.

THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION AND ITS ALLIES IN CONGRESS GAVE US THE WORST INFLATION IN THE HISTORY OF OUR COUNTRY.

BUT IN 12 MONTHS, MY ADMINISTRATION HAS DRIVEN CORE INFLATION DOWN TO THE LOWEST LEVEL IN MORE THAN FIVE YEARS.

IN THE LAST THREE MONTHS OF 2025, IT WAS DOWN TO 1.7%.

[APPLAUSE] GASOLINE, WHICH REACHED A PEAK OF OVER SIX DOLLARS A GALLON IN SOME STATES UNDER MY PREDECESSOR , QUITE HONESTLY IT IS AFTER, IT IS UNDER $2.30 IN SOME STATES AND IN SOME PLACES, $1.99 A GALLON.

WHEN I VISITED IOWA A FEW WEEKS AGO, I EVEN SAW $1.85 A GALLON FOR GASOLINE.

[APPLAUSE] MORTGAGE RATES ARE THE LOWEST IN FOUR YEARS AND FALLING FAST.

AND THE ANNUAL COST OF A TYPICAL NEW MORTGAGE IS DOWN ALMOST $5,000 JUST SINCE I TOOK OFFICE, ONE YEAR.

[APPLAUSE] AND LOW INTEREST RATES WILL SOLVE THE BIDEN-CREATED HOUSING PROBLEM, WHILE AT THE SAME TIME, PROTECTING THE VALLEYS OF THOSE PEOPLE WHO ALREADY OWN A HOUSE THAT REALLY FEELS RICH FOR THE FIRST TIME IN THEIR LIVES.

WE WANT TO PROTECT THOSE VALUES, WE WANT TO KEEP THOSE VALUES UP.

WE WILL DO BOTH.

[APPLAUSE] AND WE ARE GOING TO KEEP IT THAT WAY.

THE STOCK MARKET HAS SET 53 ALL-TIME RECORD HIGHS SINCE THE ELECTION.

THINK OF THAT, ONE YEAR.

BOOSTING PENSIONS, 401(K)'S, RETIREMENT ACCOUNTS FOR MILLIONS AND MILLIONS OF AMERICANS.

EVERYBODY IS UP, WAY UP.

IN FOUR LONG YEARS, THE LAST ADMINISTRATION GOT LESS THAN $1 TRILLION IN NEW INVESTMENT TO THE UNITED STATES.

WHEN I SAY LESS, SUBSTANTIALLY LESS.

IN 12 MONTHS, I SECURED COMMITMENTS FOR $18 TRILLION POURING IN FROM ALL OVER THE GLOBE.

[APPLAUSE] THINK OF IT.

MUCH LESS THAN $1 TRILLION FOR FOUR YEARS VERSUS MUCH MORE THAN $18 TRILLION FOR ONE YEAR.

WHAT A DIFFERENCE A PRESIDENT MAKES.

A SHORT TIME AGO, WE WERE A DEAD COUNTRY.

NOW, WE ARE THE HOTTEST COUNTRY ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD.

THE HOTTEST.

[APPLAUSE] AS THOUSANDS OF NEW BUSINESSES ARE FORMING, FACTORIES, PLANTS AND LABORATORIES ARE BEING BUILT, WE HAD 70,000 CONSTRUCTION JOBS IN A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME.

NOBODY CAN BELIEVE WHAT THEY ARE WATCHING.

AMERICAN OIL PRODUCTION IS UP BY MORE THAN 600,000 BARRELS A DAY.

AND WE JUST RECEIVED FROM OUR NEW FRIEND AND PARTNER, VENEZUELA, MORE THAN 80 MILLION BARRELS OF OIL.

[APPLAUSE] AMERICAN NATURAL GAS PRODUCTION IS AT AN ALL-TIME HIGH BECAUSE I KEPT MY PROMISE TO DRILL, BABY, DRILL.

[APPLAUSE] MORE AMERICANS ARE WORKING TODAY THAN AT ANY TIME IN THE HISTORY OF OUR COUNTRY.

THINK ABOUT THAT.

ANY TIME IN THE HISTORY OF OUR COUNTRY, MORE WORKING TODAY.

100% OF ALL JOBS CREATED UNDER MY ADMINISTRATION HAVE BEEN IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR.

[APPLAUSE] WE ENDED DEI IN AMERICA.

[APPLAUSE] WE CUT A RECORD NUMBER OF JOB KILLING REGULATIONS.

IN ONE YEAR, WE HAVE LIFTED 2.4 MILLION AMERICANS, A RECORD, OFF OF FOOD STAMPS.

[APPLAUSE] AND FOR ALL OF THESE REASONS, I SAY TONIGHT, MEMBERS OF CONGRESS, THE STATE OF OUR UNION IS STRONG.

[APPLAUSE] OUR COUNTRY IS WINNING AGAIN.

IN FACT, WE ARE WINNING SO MUCH THAT WE REALLY DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO ABOUT IT.

PEOPLE ARE ASKING ME, PLEASE, PLEASE, MR.

PRESIDENT, WE ARE WINNING TOO MUCH.

WE CAN'T TAKE IT ANYMORE.

WE ARE NOT USED TO WINNING IN OUR COUNTRY UNTIL YOU CAME ALONG.

WE'RE JUST ALWAYS LOSING AND NOW WE ARE WINNING TOO MUCH.

I SAY NO, NO, NO, YOU WILL WIN AGAIN.

YOU WILL WIN BIG.

YOU ARE GOING TO WIN BIGGER THAN EVER.

ANSWER PROVE THAT POINT, HERE WITH US TONIGHT IS A GROUP OF WINNERS WHO JUST MADE THE ENTIRE NATION PROUD.

THE MEN'S GOLD-MEDAL OLYMPIC HOCKEY TEAM, COME ON IN.

[APPLAUSE] [AUDIENCE CHANTING "USA"] [APPLAUSE] GO AHEAD.

[APPLAUSE] [AUDIENCE CHANTING "USA"] THAT'S THE FIRST TIME I'VE EVER SEEN THEM GET UP.

AND ACTUALLY NOT ALL OF THEM DID GET UP.

THEY BEAT A FANTASTIC CANADIAN TEAM IN OVERTIME, AS EVERYONE SAW.

AS DID THE AMERICAN WOMEN WHO WILL SOON BE COMING TO THE WHITE HOUSE.

[APPLAUSE] THEY WERE IN THE OVAL OFFICE BEFORE.

I JUST WANT TO SAY A SECOND BIG CONGRATULATIONS TO TEAM USA.

I TOLD THEM THIS AND WE TOOK A VOTE.

ANYBODY VOTES NO, I AM NOT DOING IT.

THEY WEREN'T ABOUT TO SAY NO BECAUSE I'VE NEVER SEEN A GOALIE PLAY AS WELL AS GOALIE CONNOR HELLYBUCK.

[APPLAUSE] THINK OF IT, 46 SHOTS ON GOAL.

I ASKED HIM, THE ONE SHOT WHERE YOU PUT YOUR STICK ON THE BACK AND IT BOUNCED OFF, DID YOU PRACTICE THAT OR WAS THAT A LITTLE LUCKY?

HE REFUSED TO ANSWER THAT QUESTION.

BUT, I JUST WANT TO TELL YOU THAT THE MEMBERS OF THIS GREAT HOCKEY SQUAD WILL BE VERY HAPPY TO HEAR BASED ON THEIR VOTE AND MY VOTE, AND IN THIS CASE, MY VOTE WAS MORE IMPORTANT, THAT I WILL SOON BE PRESENTING CONNOR WITH OUR HIGHEST CIVILIAN HONOR, WHICH HAS BEEN GIVEN TO MANY ATHLETES OVER THE YEARS.

WHEN I SAY MANY, NOT TOO MANY, LIKE 12.

THE THE CIVILIAN HONOR IN OUR COUNTRY, THE PRESIDENTIAL MEDAL OF FREEDOM.

[APPLAUSE] GREAT ATHLETES HAVE GOTTEN THAT, VERY GREAT.

I THINK HE DESERVES IT.

I DID TAKE A VOTE.

EVERY SINGLE ONE OF THEM -- I AM NOT GIVING IT IF ANYBODY SAID NO.

EVERY SINGLE ONE OF THEM RAPIDLY PUT UP THEIR HAND.

WHAT A SPECIAL JOB YOU DID.

WHAT SPECIAL CHAMPIONS YOU ARE.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

[APPLAUSE] I'M ALSO PLEASED TO SAY THE NEXT TIME THE OLYMPIC TORCH IS LIT, IT WILL BE HERE IN AMERICA FOR THE 2028 OLYMPICS.

IT IS THE SUMMER VERSION IN LOS ANGELES.

WE WILL DO A GOOD JOB IN LOS ANGELES.

[APPLAUSE] AND LOS ANGELES IS GOING TO BE SAFE, JUST LIKE WASHINGTON, D.C.

IS NOW ONE OF THE SAFEST CITIES IN THE COUNTRY.

[APPLAUSE] THIS YEAR, I GOT THEM BOTH, I WAS DISAPPOINTED BECAUSE I DIDN'T THINK I WOULD BE THE PRESIDENT WHEN THIS HAPPENED.

I GOT IN ON THE FIRST TERM AND WAS DISAPPOINTED, BUT STRANGE THINGS TOOK PLACE.

MEN LIKE BUDDY TAGGART.

AT AGE 17, BUT HE VOLUNTEERED TO DEFEND AMERICA IN WORLD WAR II, SERVING IN THE PACIFIC.

HE FOUGHT BRAVELY AND WORKED SO HARD.

HE WAS BADLY WOUNDED BY ENEMY MACHINE GUNS.

HE LIBERATED THE LARGEST INTERNMENT CAMP IN THE PHILIPPINES, ONE OF THE LARGEST IN THE WORLD.

HE CAME HOME, STARTED A FAMILY, AND TONIGHT HE IS LOOKING FORWARD TO JULY 4, 2026, HIS 100TH BIRTHDAY.

[APPLAUSE] SO BUDDY, YOU ARE A BRAVE MAN AND WE SALUTE YOU, EVEN IN TIMES OF CHALLENGE, SETBACK, AND A HEARTACHE.

THE SPIRIT OF 1776 HAS ALWAYS SHOWN THROUGH VERY BRIGHTLY.

IT WAS JULY 4 OF LAST YEAR WHEN FLOODWATERS SOARED THROUGH AT A GIRLS' SUMMER CAMP IN CENTRAL TEXAS, ONE OF THE WORST THINGS I HAVE EVER SEEN, RISING 26 FEET IN A MATTER OF MINUTES, TRAGICALLY CLAIMING MANY LIVES.

YOU WILL REMEMBER THAT ONE.

THE WATERS THREATENED TO SWEEP AWAY 11-YEAR-OLD MILLIE, CLOSE YOUR EYES AND PRAYED TO GOD.

SHE THOUGHT SHE WAS GOING TO DIE.

THOSE PRAYERS WERE ANSWERED WHEN A COAST GUARD MEMBER DISSENTED FROM A HELICOPTER ABOVE.

NOBODY KNEW WHERE HE CAME FROM.

IT WAS SCOTT'S FIRST RESCUE MISSION, YOUNG GUY, VERY BRAVE, ALWAYS TOP OF HIS CLASS, AND HE LIFTED HER IN 164 OTHERS TO SAFETY.

- -AND 164 OTHERS TO SAFETY.

[CHEERS AND APPLAUSE] PEOPLE WATCHED SCOTT FROM A DISTANCE AND COULD NOT BELIEVE WHAT THEY WERE SEEING.

THE WINDS WERE BLOWING, THE RAIN WAS POURING, AND THEN RABBIT WATER, NOBODY HAD EVER SEEN ANYTHING LIKE IT.

THAT WAS SOMETHING.

TONIGHT, SCOTT AND ELITE EIGHT ARE HERE TOGETHER, WE UNITED FOR THE FIRST TIME -- WE UNITED FOR THE -- REUNITED FOR THE FIRST TIME.

[APPLAUSE] AND I AM PLEASED TO INFORM YOU THAT I AM AWARDING YOU THE LEGION OF MERIT FOR EXTRAORDINARY HEROISM.

WHICH IS WHAT IT WAS.

EXTRAORDINARY HEROISM.

THANK YOU.

[APPLAUSE] I WOULD LIKE TO HAVE THE MILITARY AID TO PLEASE COME DOWN AND TAKE CARE OF THE SERVICE.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

FROM 1776 TO TODAY, EVERY GENERATION OF AMERICANS HAS STEPPED FORWARD TO DEFEND LIFE, LIBERTY, AND THE PURSUIT OF HAPPYNESS, AND THEY ARE REALLY DOING IT FOR THE NEXT GENERATION, AND NOW IT IS OUR TURN.

TOGETHER WE ARE BUILDING A NATION WHERE EVERY CHILD HAS THE CHANCE TO RETIRE, GO FURTHER, WHERE GOVERNMENT ANSWERS TO THE PEOPLE, NOT THE POWERFUL, AND WE ARE THE INTERESTS OF HARD-WORKING AMERICAN CITIZENS ARE ALWAYS OUR FIRST AND ULTIMATE CONCERN.

THAT IS A PROMISE WE MUST KEEP TO AMERICA FOR OUR 250TH YEAR.

LAST YEAR, I URGED THIS CONGRESS TO BEGIN THE MISSION BY PASSING THE LARGEST TAX CUTS IN AMERICAN HISTORY, AND OUR REPUBLICAN MAJORITIES DELIVERED SO BEAUTIFULLY.

THANK YOU, REPUBLICANS.

[APPLAUSE] ALL DEMOCRATS, EVERY SINGLE ONE OF THEM, VOTED AGAINST THESE IMPORTANT AND NECESSARY MASSIVE TAX CUTS.

[APPLAUSE] THEY WANTED LARGE-SCALE TAX INCREASES TO HURT THE PEOPLE INSTEAD.

BUT WE HELD STRONG AND WITH THE GREAT BIG BEAUTIFUL BILL, WE GAVE YOU NO TAX ON TIPS, NO TAX ON OVERTIME, AND NO TAX ON SOCIAL SECURITY.

[APPLAUSE] AND WE ALSO MADE INTEREST ON AUTO LOANS TAX-DEDUCTIBLE THE FIRST TIME, BUT ONLY IF THE CAR IS MADE IN AMERICA.

[APPLAUSE] RECENTLY IN PENNSYLVANIA I MET A DEVOTED MOM WHO HOMESCHOOLS HER CHILDREN, BEAUTIFUL CHILDREN, DURING THE DAY, WAITING TABLES AT NIGHT, WHILE HER HUSBAND OPERATES VERY HEAVY EQUIPMENT.

SHE MADE IT HERE THIS EVENING, AND SHE IS HAPPY TO TELL YOU THAT SHE IS SO, SO MUCH RICHER BECAUSE WITH NO TAX ON TIPS, NO TAX ON OVERTIME, AND OUR EXPANDED CHILD TAX CREDIT, DONE AGAIN BY REPUBLICANS, HER HOUSEHOLD WILL TAKE HIM $500 EXTRA, CUTTING HER TAX BILL IN HALF.

MEGAN, PLEASE STAND UP.

WE ARE FIGHTING FOR YOU.

[APPLAUSE] THANK YOU, MEGAN.

WE ARE FIGHTING FOR YOU, MEGAN.

ON OUR BILL, PARENTS LIKE MEGAN CAN ALSO ACTIVATE THE BRAND-NEW TRUMP ACCOUNTS.

I DID NOT NAME IT.

I DID NOT NAME THAT.

[APPLAUSE] NOBODY BELIEVES ME, BUT I DID NOT NAME IT.

IT WAS NAMED BY A VERY TALL MAN RIGHT THERE IN THE THIRD ROW.

ISN'T THAT A BIG MAN?

THE INVESTMENT ACCOUNTS FOR EVERY AMERICAN CHILD IS SOMETHING THAT IS SO SPECIAL AND GONE THROUGH THE ROOF.

MILLIONS WILL BE PRE-FUNDED COURTESY OF PRIVATE INDIVIDUALS AND THE U.S.

TREASURY -- THE U.S.

TREASURY AND PRIVATE INDIVIDUALS, LIKE MICHAEL AND SUSAN DELL WHO HAVE FUNDED THE ACCOUNTS FOR 25 MILLION AMERICAN CHILDREN.

[APPLAUSE] THEY ARE GREAT PEOPLE.

I ASKED MICHAEL, HOW DO YOU MAKE ALL THAT MONEY?

HE SAID I JUST SAT IN MY DORM AND I MADE COMPUTERS, SOLD THEM TO PEOPLE, AND I JUST KEPT SELLING AND SELLING AND SELLING.

PRETTY AMAZING STORY.

IT IS CALLED THE AMERICAN DREAM.

HE HAS SOLD A LOT OF THOSE LAPTOPS.

SO I CONGRATULATE HIM AS WELL AS OTHERS, LIKE BRAD, WHO WAS BEHIND IT FROM THE VERY BEGINNING.

THANK YOU, BRAD.

[APPLAUSE] WITH MODEST ADDITIONAL CONTRIBUTIONS, THESE YOUNG PEOPLE'S ACCOUNTS COULD GROW TO OVER $100,000 OR MORE BY THE TIME THEY TURN 18.

HOW MUCH MONEY IS THAT FOR SOMEBODY?

OVER $100,000.

COULD BE MUCH MORE THAN THAT.

TO MAKE THIS INVESTMENT IN OUR CHILDREN'S FUTURE, GO TO TRUMPACCOUNTS.GOV.

A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE GIVING IT, SETTING EVERY RECORD IN THE BOOK.

THEY KNEW WHAT IT WAS GOING TO TAKE.

I AM SO PROUD OF THEM, SO PROUD OF THE PEOPLE THAT GOT US STARTED.

NOW IT HAS TAKEN OFF.

ONE OF THE PRIMARY REASONS FOR OUR COUNTRY'S STUNNING ECONOMIC TURNAROUND, THE BIGGEST IN HISTORY WHERE THE DOW JONES BROKE 50,000 FOUR YEARS AHEAD OF SCHEDULE AND THE S&P HIT 7000, WHEN IT WAS NOT SUPPOSED TO DO IT FOR MANY YEARS WERE TARIFFS.

I USED THESE TARIFFS, TOOK IN HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS TO MAKE GREAT DEALS FOR OUR COUNTRY, BOTH ECONOMICALLY AND ON A NATIONAL SECURITY BASIS.

EVERYTHING WAS WORKING WELL.

COUNTRIES THAT WERE RIPPING US OFF FOR DECADES ARE NOW PAYING US HUNDREDS OF BILLIONS OF DOLLARS.

THEY WERE RIPPING US SO BADLY.

YOU KNOW THAT.

EVERYBODY KNOWS IT.

EVEN THE DEMOCRATS KNOW IT.

THEY JUST DON'T WANT TO SAY IT.

AND YET THESE COUNTRIES ARE NOW HAPPY AND SO ARE WE.

WE MADE DEALS.

THE DEALS ARE ALL DONE.

AND WE ARE HAPPY.

WE ARE NOT MAKING MONEY LIKE WE USED TO, BUT WE ARE MAKING A LOT OF MONEY.

THERE WAS TREMENDOUS GROWTH, AND THE BIG STORY IS HAVE DONALD TRUMP CALLED THE ECONOMY CORRECTLY, 22 NOBEL PRIZE WINNERS IN ECONOMICS DID NOT.

THEY GOT IT TOTALLY WRONG.

AND JUST FOUR DAYS AGO, AN UNFORTUNATE RULING FROM THE UNITED STATES SUPREME COURT.

IT JUST CAME DOWN.

VERY UNFORTUNATE RULING.

BUT THE GOOD NEWS IS THAT ALMOST ALL COUNTRIES AND CORPORATIONS WANT TO KEEP THE DEAL THAT THEY ALREADY MADE, RIGHT, SCOTT, KNOWING THAT THE LEGAL POWER THAT I AS PRESIDENT WOULD HAVE TO MAKE A NEW DEAL THAT WOULD BE FAR WORSE FOR THEM AND WE WOULD CONTINUE TO GO ALONG THE SAME PATH WE HAD NEGOTIATED BEFORE THE SUPREME COURT'S UNFORTUNATE INVOLVEMENT.

SO DESPITE THE DISAPPOINTING RULING, THESE POWERFUL COUNTRY SAVING -- IT IS SAVING OUR COUNTRY, THE KIND OF MONEY WE ARE TAKING IN.

PEACE PROTECTING.

MANY OF THE WARS I SETTLED WERE BECAUSE OF THE THREAT OF TARIFFS.

WILL REMAIN IN PLACE AND ARE FULLY APPROVED AND TESTED ALTERNATIVE LEGAL STATUTES.

AND THEY HAVE BEEN TESTED FOR A LONG TIME.

THEY ARE A LITTLE MORE COMPLEX, BUT THEY ARE PROBABLY BETTER.

LEADING TO A SOLUTION THAT WILL BE EVEN STRONGER THAN BEFORE.

CONGRESSIONAL ACTION WILL NOT BE NECESSARY.

IT IS ALREADY TIME TESTED AND APPROVED.

AS TIME GOES BY, I BELIEVE THAT TARIFFS PAID FOR BY FOREIGN COUNTRIES WILL SUBSTANTIALLY REPLACE THE MODERN-DAY SYSTEM OF INCOME TAX, TAKING A GREAT FINANCIAL BURDEN OFF THE PEOPLE I LOVE.

[APPLAUSE] MOVING FORWARD, FACTORIES, JOBS, INVESTMENT, AND TRILLIONS OF DOLLARS WILL CONTINUE POURING INTO THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, BECAUSE WE FINALLY HAVE A PRESIDENT WHO PUTS AMERICA FIRST.

I LOVE AMERICA.

[APPLAUSE] FOR DECADES BEFORE I CAME ALONG, WE HAD THE EXACT OPPOSITE, FROM TRADE TO HEALTH CARE TO ENERGY TO IMMIGRATION, EVERYTHING WAS STOLEN AND RIGGED IN ORDER TO DRAIN THE WELLHEAD OF PRODUCTIVE, HARD-WORKING PEOPLE WHO MAKE OUR COUNTRY GREAT, WHO MAKE OUR COUNTRY RUN.

UNDER BIDEN AND HIS CORRUPT PARTNERS IN CONGRESS AND BEYOND, IT REACHED A BREAKING POINT WITH THE GREEN NEW SCAM, OPEN BORDERS FOR EVERYONE.

THEY POURED IN BY THE MILLIONS AND BILLIONS FROM PRISONS, FROM MENTAL INSTITUTIONS.

THEY WERE MURDERERS, 11,800 88 MURDERERS.

THEY CAME INTO OUR COUNTRY.

THEY ALLOWED THAT TO HAPPEN.

AND RECORD-SETTING INFLATION THAT CAUSED THE TYPICAL FAMILY 34 THOUSAND DOLLARS IN JUST A SPECK OF TIME.

THE SAME PEOPLE IN THIS CHAMBER WHO VOTED FOR THOSE DISASTERS SUDDENLY USE THE WORD AFFORDABILITY, A WORD THEY JUST USED, SOMEBODY GAVE IT TO THEM, KNOWING FULL WELL THAT THEY CAUSED AND CREATED THE INCREASED PRICES THAT ALL OF OUR CITIZENS HAD TO ENDURE.

YOU CAUSED THAT PROBLEM.

YOU CAUSED THAT PROBLEM.

[APPLAUSE] THEY KNEW THEIR STATEMENTS WERE A LIE.

THEY KNEW THEIR STATEMENTS WERE A DIRTY, ROTTEN LIE.

THEIR POLICIES CREATED THE HIGH PRICES.

OUR POLICIES ARE RAPIDLY ENDING THEM.

WE ARE DOING REALLY WELL.

THOSE PRICES ARE PLUMMETING DOWNWARD.

THE PRICE OF EGGS IS DOWN 60%, MADAM SECRETARY, BECAUSE OF CHICKEN BUTTER, FRUIT, HOTELS, AUTOMOBILES, RIT IS LARGER TODAY THAN IT WAS WHEN I TOOK OFFICE BY A LOT, AND EVEN BEEF, WHICH WAS VERY HIGH, HAS STARTED TO COME DOWN SIGNIFICANTLY.

JUST HOLD ON A LITTLE WHILE.

SOON YOU WILL SEE NUMBERS THAT FEW PEOPLE WOULD THINK WERE POSSIBLE TO ACHIEVE JUST A SHORT TIME AGO.

NOBODY CAN BELIEVE WHEN THEY SEE THE KIND OF MEMBERS AND ESPECIALLY ENERGY, WHEN WE SEE ENERGY GOING DOWN TO NUMBERS LIKE THAT, THEY CANNOT BELIEVE IT.

IT IS LIKE ANOTHER BIG TAX CUT.

I AM ALSO CONFRONTING ONE OF THE BIGGEST RIPOFFS OF OUR TIMES, THE CRUSHING COSTS OF HEALTH CARE.

SINCE THE PASSAGE OF THE ON AFFORDABLE CARE ACT, SOMETIMES REFERRED TO AS OBAMA CARE, BIG INSURANCE COMPANIES GOT RICH.

IT WAS MEANT FOR THE INSURANCE COMPANIES, NOT THE PEOPLE.

WITH OUR GOVERNMENT GIVING THEM HUNDREDS OF HUNDREDS OF BILLIONS OF DOLLARS A YEAR AS THEIR STOCK PRICES SOARED, 1000, 1200, 1400%, AND EVEN 1700%, LIKE NOTHING ELSE.

THAT IS WHY I INTRODUCED THE GREAT HEALTH CARE PLAN.

I WANT TO STOP ALL PAYMENTS TO BIG INSURANCE COMPANIES AND INSTEAD GIVE THAT MONEY DIRECTLY TO THE PEOPLE SAID THAT THEY CAN BUY THEIR OWN HEALTH CARE -- SO THAT THEY CAN BUY THEIR OWN HEALTH CARE, WHICH WILL BE BETTER HEALTH CARE AT A MUCH LOWER COST.

[APPLAUSE] IN ADDITION, MY PLAN REQUIRES MAXIMUM PRICE TRANSPARENCY.

THAT IS A BIG DEAL.

AND I DID THAT IN MY MIDTERM AND THE DEMOCRATS IMMEDIATELY TERMINATED IT WITH FULL KNOWLEDGE THAT THEY WERE DOING VERY BAD -- A VERY BAD THING FOR THE PEOPLE.

COSTS WERE GOING TO GO WAY UP.

THAT'S WHAT HAPPENED, AND NOW I AM BRINGING THEM WAY DOWN.

I AM ALSO ENDING THE WILDLY INFLATED COST OF PRESCRIPTION DRUGS LIKE IT HAS NEVER HAPPENED BEFORE.

[APPLAUSE] OTHER PRESIDENTS TRIED TO DO IT BUT THEY NEVER COULD.

THEY TRIED.

MOST DID NOT TRY, ACTUALLY, BUT THEY TRIED.

THEY SAID THEY TRIED.

THEY COULD NOT DO IT.

THEY DID NOT EVEN COME CLOSE.

THEY WERE ALL TALK AND NO ACTION, BUT I GOT IT DONE.

UNDER MY JUST ENACTED AGREEMENTS, AMERICANS WHO HAVE FOR DECADES PAID BY FAR THE HIGHEST PRICES OF ANY NATION ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD FOR PRESCRIPTION DRUGS WILL NOW PAY THE LOWEST PRICE FOR DRUGS ANYWHERE, THE LOWEST PRICE.

[APPLAUSE] SO, IN MY FIRST YEAR, SECOND TERM -- SHOULD BE MY THIRD TERM - - [LAUGHTER] STRANGER THINGS HAVE HAPPENED.

I TOOK PRESCRIPTION DRUGS, A VERY BIG PART OF HEALTH CARE FROM THE HIGHEST PRICE IN THE ENTIRE WORLD TO THE LOWEST.

THAT IS A BIG ACHIEVEMENT.

THE RESULT IS PRICE DIFFERENCES OF 300, 4 HUNDRED PERCENT, 500%, 600% OR MORE, ALL AVAILABLE NOW AT A NEW WEBSITE CALLED TRUMPRX .GOV.

I DID NOT NAME THAT ONE EITHER, BY THE WAY.

[APPLAUSE] AND HERE TONIGHT IS OUR VERY FIRST CUSTOMER EVER TO GET THAT BIG DISCOUNT, AND IT IS BIG, CATHERINE.

FOR FIVE YEARS, SHE AND HER HUSBAND HAVE STRUGGLED WITH INFERTILITY, AND THEY TURNED TO IVF.

ONE DRUG HAS BEEN COSTING CATHERINE $4000 TO PURCHASE, BUT A FEW WEEKS AGO SHE LOGGED ON TO THE TRUMP RX WEBSITE AND GOT THE SAME DRUG THAT COST $4000 FOR UNDER $500, A REDUCTION OF MUCH MORE THAN $3500.

CATHERINE, WE ARE ALL PRAYING FOR YOU, AND WE ARE GOING -- YOU ARE GOING TO BE A GREAT MOM.

[APPLAUSE] NOW I AM CALLING ON CONGRESS TO CODIFY MY MOST FAVORITE NATION PROGRAM INTO LAW.

ONE THING I'M NOT SURE THAT MATTERS BECAUSE IT IS GOING TO BE VERY HARD FOR SOMEBODY THAT COMES ALONG AFTER ME TO SAY LET'S RAISE DRUG PRICES BY 700% OR 800%, BUT JOHN AND MIKE, IF YOU DON'T MIND, CODIFY IT ANYWAY.

THEY MAY DO IT.

CODIFY IT ANYWAY.

THANK YOU.

MANY AMERICANS ARE ALSO CONCERNED THAT ENERGY DEMAND FROM AI DATA CENTERS COULD UNFAIRLY DRIVE UP THERE ELECTRIC UTILITY BILLS.

TONIGHT I AM PLEASED TO ANNOUNCE I HAVE NEGOTIATED THE NEW RATEPAYER PROTECTION PLEDGE.

YOU KNOW WHAT THAT IS.

WE ARE TELLING THE MAJOR TECH COMPANIES THAT THEY HAVE THE OBLIGATION TO PROVIDE FOR THEIR OWN POWER NEEDS.

THEY CAN BUILD THEIR OWN POWER PLANTS AS PART OF THEIR FACTORY SO THAT NO ONE'S PRICES ARE GOING UP AND IN MANY CASES PRICES OF ELECTRICITY WILL GO DOWN FOR THE COMMUNITY, AND VERY SUBSTANTIALLY DOWN.

THIS IS A UNIQUE STRATEGY NEVER USED IN THIS COUNTRY BEFORE.

WE HAVE AN OLD GRID THAT CAN NEVER HANDLED THE KIND OF NUMBERS, THE AMOUNT OF ELECTRICITY NEEDED.

SO I AM TELLING THEM THEY CAN BUILD THEIR OWN PLANT, PRODUCE THEIR OWN ELECTRICITY.

IT WILL ENSURE THE COMPANIES' ABILITY TO GET ELECTRICITY WHILE LOWERING PRICES OF ELECTRICITY FOR YOU AND COULD BE VERY SUBSTANTIAL.

ALL OF THESE CITIES AND TOWNS, YOU ARE GOING TO SEE GOOD THINGS HAPPEN OVER THE NEXT NUMBER OF YEARS.

ANOTHER PILLAR OF THE AMERICAN DREAM THAT HAS BEEN UNDER ATTACK IS HOMEOWNERSHIP.

WITH US TONIGHT IS RICE L WIGGINS, K MOM OF TWO FROM HOUSTON, TEXAS.

SHE PAID ALL CASH ENTERED HOUSES INTO RENTALS, STEALING AWAY HER AMERICAN DREAM.

SHE WAS DEVASTATED.

THIS IS WHY I SIGNED AN EXECUTIVE ORDER TWO WALL STREET FIRMS FROM BUYING INTO THOUSANDS OF SINGLE-FAMILY HOMES.

[APPLAUSE] AND NOW I AM ASKING CONGRESS TO MAKE THAT BAN PERMANENT, BECAUSE HOMES FOR PEOPLE, THAT'S WHAT WE WANT, HOMES FOR PEOPLE, NOT CORPORATIONS.

CORPORATIONS ARE DOING JUST FINE.

RAICEL, GOOD LUCK WITH YOUR HOME.

YOU WILL GET ONE SOON.

[APPLAUSE] WE ARE ALSO WORKING TO MAKE IT EASIER FOR AMERICANS TO SAVE FOR RETIREMENT, AND UNDER THIS ADMINISTRATION, WE WILL ALWAYS PROTECT SOCIAL SECURITY AND MEDICARE.

THEY ARE NOT PROTECTING IT FOR OUR SENIORS.

WE WILL ALWAYS PROTECT SOCIAL SECURITY, MEDICARE, MEDICAID.

[APPLAUSE] SINCE I TOOK OFFICE, THE TYPICAL 401(K) BALANCE IS UP BY AT LEAST $30,000.

THAT'S A LOT OF MONEY.

YOU HAVE MILLIONS AND MILLIONS OF PEOPLE, BECAUSE THE STOCK MARKET HAS DONE SO WELL SETTING ALL THOSE RECORDS, YOUR 401(K)S ARE WAY UP.

WE HAVE HALF OF ALL AMERICANS WHO STILL DO NOT HAVE ACCESS TO A REQUIREMENT PLAN WITH MATCHING CONTRIBUTIONS FROM AN EMPLOYER.

TO REMEDY THIS GROSS DISPARITY, I AM ANNOUNCING THAT NEXT YEAR MY ADMINISTRATION WILL GIVE THESE OFTEN FORGOTTEN AMERICAN WORKERS -- GREAT PEOPLE, PEOPLE THAT BUILD OUR COUNTRY -- AS PECTS OF THE SAME TYPE OF PLAN OFFERED TO EVERY FEDERAL WORKER.

WE WILL MATCH YOUR CONTRIBUTIONS UP TO $1000 EACH YEAR.

AS WE ENSURE AMERICANS CAN PROFIT FROM A RISING STOCK MARKET, LET'S ALSO ENSURE THAT MEMBERS OF CONGRESS CANNOT CORRECTLY PROFIT FROM USING INSIDER INFORMATION.

- - CORRUPTLY PROFIT FROM USING INSIDER INFORMATION.

[CHEERS AND APPLAUSE] THEY STOOD UP FOR THAT.

I CAN'T BELIEVE IT.

I CAN'T BELIEVE IT.

DID NANCY PELOSI STAND UP?

DOUBT IT.

PASS THEN STOP THE INSIDER TRADING ACT, WITHOUT DELAY.

[APPLAUSE] I WAS NOT SURE IF ANYBODY ON THIS SIDE WAS GOING TO APPLAUD FOR THAT.

I'M VERY IMPRESSED.

THANK YOU.

BUT WHEN IT COMES TO THE CORRUPTION -- REALLY, IT IS PLUNDERING AMERICA -- THERE HAS BEEN NO MORE STUNNING EXAMPLE THAN MINNESOTA, WHERE MEMBERS OF THE SOMALI COMMUNITY HAVE PILLAGED AN ESTIMATED $19 BILLION FROM THE AMERICAN TAXPAYER.

WE HAVE ALL THE INFORMATION.

IN ACTUALITY, THE NUMBER IS MUCH HIGHER THAN THAT, AND CALIFORNIA, MASSACHUSETTS, MAINE, AND MANY OTHER STATES ARE EVEN WORSE.

THIS IS THE KIND OF CORRUPTION THAT SHREDS THE FABRIC OF A NATION, AND WE ARE WORKING ON IT LIKE YOU WOULD NOT BELIEVE.

TONIGHT, ALTHOUGH IT STARTED FOUR MONTHS AGO, I AM OFFICIALLY ANNOUNCING THE WAR ON FRAUD TO BE LED BY OUR GREAT VICE PRESIDENT JD VANCE.

[CHEERS AND APPLAUSE] HE WILL GET IT DONE.

AND IF WE ARE ABLE TO FIND ENOUGH OF THAT FRAUD, WE WILL ACTUALLY HAVE A BALANCED BUDGET OVERNIGHT.

IT WILL GO VERY QUICKLY.

THAT IS THE KIND OF MONEY WE ARE TALKING ABOUT.

THE SOMALI PIRATES WHO RANSACKED MINNESOTA REMIND US THAT THERE ARE LARGE PARTS OF THE WORLD WHERE BRIBERY, CORRUPTION, AND LAWLESSNESS ARE THE NORM, NOT THE EXCEPTION, IMPORTING THESE CULTURES THROUGH UNRESTRICTED IMMIGRATION AND OPEN BORDERS BRINGS THOSE PROBLEMS RIGHT HERE TO THE USA, AND IT IS THE AMERICAN PEOPLE WHO PAY THE PRICE AND HIGHER MEDICAL BILLS, CAR INSURANCE, RAISE THE RENT, TAXES, AND PERHAPS MOST IMPORTANTLY CRIME.

WE WILL TAKE CARE OF THIS PROBLEM.

WE ARE NOT PLAYING GAMES.

DELILAH -- [CHEERS AND APPLAUSE] DELILAH COLEMAN WAS ONLY FIVE YEARS OLD IN JUNE OF 2024 WHEN AN 18 WHEEL TRACTOR PLOWED INTO HER STOPPED CAR, GOING 60 MILES PER HOUR OR MORE.

THE DRIVER WAS AN ILLEGAL ALIEN LEAD IN MY JOE BIDEN AND GIVEN A COMMERCIAL DRIVERS LICENSE BY OPEN BORDERS POLITICIANS IN CALIFORNIA.

DOCTORS SAY DELILAH WOULD NEVER BE ABLE TO WALK OR TALK OR HAVE A GOOD LIFE.

SHE WILL NEVER BE ABLE TO EAT AGAIN.

BUT AGAINST ALL ODDS, SHE IS NOW IN THE FIRST GRADE LEARNING TO WALK, AND SHE IS HERE THIS EVENING WITH HER DAD MARCUS, A FANTASTIC MAN.

DELILAH, YOU ARE A GREAT INSPIRATION.

PLEASE STAND UP.

[CHEERS AND APPLAUSE] THANK YOU,, DALIAH.

MANY IMMIGRANTS CANNOT READ BASIC ROADSIGNS INDICATING DANGER AND LOCATION.

THAT IS WHY I AM COUNTING ON CONGRESS TO PASS WHAT WE WILL CALL THE DALILAH LAW, BARRING ANY STATE FROM ISSUING COMMERCIAL DRIVER'S LICENSES TO ILLEGAL ALIENS.

[CHEERS AND APPLAUSE] AND YESTERDAY, AS YOU PROBABLY SAW AT THE WHITE HOUSE, I HOSTED A CEREMONY WITH AMERICANS WHO LOST THEIR LOVED ONES TO THE STORAGE OF ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION, PEOPLE WHO CAME INTO OUR COUNTRY, HOW WE ALLOWED THIS TO HAPPEN WITH OUR OPEN BORDERS.

THESE ARE THE ANGEL MOMS AND FAMILIES THAT FOR DECADES OUR GOVERNMENT BETRAYED AND OUR MEDIA TOTALLY IGNORED.

IT WAS TERRIBLE.

HARD TO BELIEVE, ACTUALLY.

IN 2023, A 16-YEAR-OLD HIGH SCHOOL CHEERLEADER NAMED ELIZABETH MEDINA WAS SUPPOSED TO PERFORM IN HER TOWN'S CHRISTMAS PARADE, BUT HER MOTHER WENT HOME TO LOOK FOR HER AND FOUND HER LYING TO IN A BATHTUB, BLEEDING PROFUSELY AFTER BEING STABBED 45 TIMES.

LIZBETH'S KILLER WAS A PREVIOUSLY ARRESTED ILLEGAL ALIEN WHO BRUTALLY EXTINGUISHED THE BRIGHTEST LIGHT IN HER FAMILY'S LIFE.

HER HEARTBROKEN MOTHER IS IN THE GALLERY TO REMIND EVERYONE IN THIS CHAMBER EXACTLY WHY WE ARE DEPARTING ILLEGAL ALIEN CRIMINALS AT RECORD NUMBERS, AND WE ARE GETTING THEM OUT OF HERE FAST.

WE DON'T WANT THEM.

[CHEERS AND APPLAUSE] THANK YOU VERY MUCH, JACQUELINE.

WE CAN NEVER FORGET THAT MANY IN THIS ROOM NOT ONLY ALLOWED THE BORDER INVASION TO HAPPEN BEFORE I GOT INVOLVED, BUT INDEED THEY WOULD DO IT ALL OVER AGAIN IF THEY HAD THE CHANCE.

IF THEY EVER GOT ELECTED, THEY WOULD OPEN UP THOSE BORDERS TO SOME OF THE WORST CRIMINALS ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD.

THE ONLY THING STANDING BETWEEN AMERICANS AND A WIDE-OPEN BORDER RIGHT NOW IS PRESIDENT DONALD J. TRUMP AND OUR GREAT REPUBLICAN PATRIOTS IN CONGRESS.

THANK YOU.

[APPLAUSE] AS WE SPEAK, DEMOCRATS IN THIS CHAMBER HAVE CUT OFF ALL FUNDING FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY.

ALL CUT OFF.

THEY HAVE INSTITUTED ANOTHER DEMOCRATIC SHUTDOWN, THE FIRST ONE COSTING US TWO POINTS ON GDP.

TWO POINTS WE LOST ON GDP, WHICH PROBABLY MADE THEM QUITE HAPPY, ACTUALLY.

NOW THEY HAVE CLOSE TO THE AGENCY RESPONSIBLE FOR PROTECTING AMERICANS FROM TERRORISTS AND MURDERERS.

TONIGHT I AM DEMANDING THE FULL AND IMMEDIATE RESTORATION OF ALL FUNDING FOR THE BORDER SECURITY, HOMELAND SECURITY OF THE UNITED STATES, AND ALSO FOR HELPING PEOPLE CLEAN UP THEIR SNOW.

WE HAVE NO MONEY BECAUSE OF THE DEMOCRATS, AND IT WOULD BE NICE - - WE'D LOVE TO GIVE YOU A HAND IN CLEANING IT UP, BUT WE HAVE NO MONEY.

NOBODY IS GETTING PAID.

IT IS A SHAME.

IN CASE YOU DIDN'T KNOW, WE HAVE A PRETTY LARGE SNOWSTORM OUT THERE.

ONE OF THE GREAT THINGS ABOUT THE STATE OF THE UNION IS HOW IT GIVES AMERICANS A CHANCE TO SEE CLEARLY WHAT THE REPRESENTATIVES REALLY BELIEVE.

SO TONIGHT I AM INVITING EVERY LEGISLATOR TO JOIN WITH MY ADMINISTRATION IN REAFFIRMING A FUNDAMENTAL PRINCIPLE.

IF YOU AGREE WITH THIS STATEMENT, THEN STAND UP AND SHOW YOUR SUPPORT.

THE FIRST DUTY OF THE AMERICAN GOVERNMENT IS TO PROTECT AMERICAN CITIZENS, NOT ILLEGAL ALIENS.

[CHEERS AND APPLAUSE] [APPLAUSE] ISN'T THAT A?

YOU SHOULD BE ASHAMED OF YOURSELF NOT STANDING UP.

THAT IS WHY AM ALSO ASKING YOU TO END DEADLY SANCTUARY CITIES THAT PROTECT THE CRIMINAL AND ENACT SERIOUS PENALTIES FOR PUBLIC OFFICIALS WHO BLOCK THE REMOVAL OF CRIMINAL ALIENS, IN MANY CASES DRUG LORDS, MURDERERS ALL OVER OUR COUNTRY.

THEY ARE FLOCKING.

THE REMOVAL OF THESE PEOPLE -- THEY ARE BLOCKING THE REMOVAL OF THESE PEOPLE OUT OF OUR COUNTRY, AND YOU SHOULD BE ASHAMED.

[CHEERS AND APPLAUSE] [CROWD CHANTING "USA"] PERHAPS MOST IMPORTANTLY, I AM ASKING YOU TO APPROVE THE SAVE AMERICA ACT.

[CHEERS AND APPLAUSE] TO STOP ILLEGAL ALIENS AND OTHER UNPERMITTED CITIZENS FROM VOTING IN OUR ELECTIONS.

CHEATING IS RAMPANT IN OUR ELECTIONS.

IT IS REALLY SIMPLE.

ALL VOTERS MUST SHOW VOTER ID.

[APPLAUSE] ALL VOTERS MUST SHOW PROOF OF CITIZENSHIP.

[APPLAUSE] AT NO MORE MAIL-IN BALLOTS EXCEPT FOR ILLNESS, DISABILITY, MILITARY, OR TRAVEL.

NONE.

AND THIS SHOULD BE AN EASY ONE.

AND BY THE WAY, IT IS PULLING AT 89%, INCLUDING DEMOCRATS, 89%.

AND THE MAYOR OF NEW YORK CITY, BAD POLICY, BUT NICE GUY, JUST SAID THEY WANT PEOPLE TO SHOVEL SNOW.

THEY GOT HIT HARD.

HE WANTS THEM TO SHOVEL SNOW.

BUT IF YOU APPLY FOR THAT JOB, YOU NEED TO SHOW TWO ORIGINAL FORMS OF ID AND A SOCIAL SECURITY CARD.

[LAUGHTER] [APPLAUSE] YET THEY DON'T WANT IDENTIFICATION FOR THE GREATEST PRIVILEGE OF ALL.

BOTH REPUBLICANS AND DEMOCRATS OVERWHELMINGLY AGREE ON THE POLICY THAT WE JUST ENUNCIATED.

AND CONGRESS SHOULD UNITE AND ENACT THIS COMMON SENSE COUNTRY SAVING LEGISLATION UP RIGHT NOW AND IT SHOULD BE BEFORE ANYTHING ELSE HAPPENS.

[APPLAUSE] AND THE REASON THEY DON'T WANT TO DO IT, WHY WOULD ANYBODY NOT WANT VOTER ID?

ONE REASON, BECAUSE THEY WANT TO CHEAT.

THEY SAY IT IS RACIST, THEY COME UP THINGS WHERE YOU ALMOST SAY, WHAT IMAGINATION MAY HAVE.

THEY WANT TO CHEAT, THEY HAVE CHEATED, AND THEIR POLICY IS SO BAD THAT THE ONLY WAY THEY CAN GET ELECTED IS TO CHEAT.

WE ARE GOING TO STOP IT.

WE HAVE TO STOP IT.

[APPLAUSE] AND HERE IS ONE MORE OPPORTUNITY TO SHOW COMMON SENSE IN GOVERNMENT.

IN THE GALLERY TONIGHT ARE SAGE BLAIR -- SASIGE BLAIR -- SAIGE BLAIR AND HER MOTHER MICHELLE.

SAIGE WAS IN SCHOOL WHEN HER SCHOOL TRIED TO GET HER TO TRANSITION TO A BOY AND HIDE IT FROM HER PARENTS.

SHE WAS FOUND IN A HORRIFIC SITUATION IN MARYLAND.

A LEFT WING JUDGE REFUSED TO RETURN SAIGE TO HER PARENTS BECAUSE THEY DID NOT IMMEDIATELY STATED THAT HER DAUGHTER WAS THEIR SON.

SHE WAS THROWN INTO AN ALL BOYS ESTATE HOME AND SUFFERED TERRIBLY FOR A LONG TIME, BUT TODAY ALL OF THAT IS BEHIND THEM BECAUSE SAIGE IS A POWERFUL YOUNG WOMAN WITH A FULL RIDE SCHOLARSHIP TO LIBERTY UNIVERSITY.

SAIGE AND MICHELLE, PLEASE STAND UP.

[APPLAUSE] THANK YOU FOR YOUR GREAT BRAVERY.

WHO CAN BELIEVE WE ARE EVEN SPEAKING ABOUT THINGS LIKE THIS.

15 YEARS AGO, SOMEBODY WOULD COME UP AND SAY, WHAT IS WRONG WITH HIM, BUT NOW WE HAVE TO SAY IT, BECAUSE IT IS GOING ON ALL OVER NUMEROUS STATES WITHOUT EVEN TELLING THE PARENTS.

BUT SURELY WE CAN ALL AGREE NO STATE CAN BE ALLOWED TO RAPE CHILDREN FROM THEIR PARENTS ARMS AND TRANSITION THEM TO A NEW GENDER AGAINST THE PARENTS' WILL.

WE MUST BAN IT, AND WE MUST BAN IT IMMEDIATELY.

[APPLAUSE] NOBODY STANDS UP.

THESE PEOPLE ARE CRAZY, I'M TELLING YOU.

THEY ARE CRAZY.

[CHEERS AND APPLAUSE] BOY, OH, BOY.

WE ARE LUCKY WE HAVE A COUNTRY.

WITH PEOPLE LIKE THIS, DEMOCRATS ARE DESTROYING OUR COUNTRY, BUT WE HAVE STOPPED IT JUST IN THE NICK OF TIME.

[APPLAUSE] NO ONE CARES MORE ABOUT PROTECTING AMERICA'S YOUTH THAT ARE WONDERFUL FIRST LADY, NOW A MOVIE STAR.

SHE'S A MOVIE STAR, CAN YOU BELIEVE IT?

WHO WOULD HAVE BELIEVED THAT?

OVER THE PAST YEAR, THIS -- SHE HAS HAD AN INCREDIBLE IMPACT CHAMPIONING AI LEGISLATION, ADVANCING A LANDMARK EXECUTIVE ORDER ON FOSTER CARE, AND HELPING TO SECURE $30 MILLION TO LAUNCH THE MELANIA TRUMP FOSTER YOUTH TO INDEPENDENCE INITIATIVE.

IT IS A TREMENDOUS THING THAT HAPPENED AND HAD A LOT OF BIPARTISAN SUPPORT.

SHE GETS MUCH BETTER BIPARTISAN SUPPORT THAN I DO.

I GET NONE, SHE GETS A LOT.

SOMEDAY YOU ARE GOING TO HAVE TO TELL ME HOW YOU DID THAT.

STUDENTS AND EDUCATORS IN EVERY STATE HAVE JOINED THE FIRST LADY'S EFFORTS IN THE PRESIDENTIAL AI CHALLENGE, KEEPING AMERICA'S NEXT-GENERATION POSITION TO SUCCEED AND STRONGLY SUCCEED IN THE FUTURE.

TONIGHT WE WELCOME TWO YOUNG PEOPLE WHOSE LIVES REFLECT THE FIRST LADY'S IMPACT, SIERRA BURNS AND EVEREST NEVRAUMONT.

MO LAMIA, I KNOW HOW HARD YOU WORKED.

- - MELANIA, I KNOW HOW HARD HE WORKED.

THANK YOU WORKED.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

[APPLAUSE] I AM VERY PROUD TO SAY THAT DURING MY TIME IN OFFICE, BOTH THE FIRST FOUR YEARS AND IN PARTICULAR THIS LAST YEAR, THERE HAS BEEN A TREMENDOUS RENEWAL IN RELIGION, FAITH, CHRISTIANITY, AND BELIEF IN GOD.

[APPLAUSE] THIS IS ESPECIALLY TRUE AMONG YOUNG PEOPLE, AND A BIG PART OF THAT HAD TO DO WITH MY GREAT FRIEND CHARLIE KIRK, A GREAT GUY.

[APPLAUSE] LAST YEAR, CHARLIE WAS VIOLENTLY MURDERED BY AN ASSASSIN AND MARTYRED FOR HIS BELIEFS.

HIS WONDERFUL WIFE, ERIKA, IS WITH US TONIGHT.

ERIKA, PLEASE STAND.

[APPLAUSE] [CROWD CHANTING "CHARLIE"] THANK YOU, ERIKA.

YOU'VE BEEN THROUGH A LOT.

IN CHARLIE'S MEMORY, WE MUST COME TOGETHER TO REAFFIRM THAT AMERICA IS ONE NATION UNDER GOD, AND WE MUST TOTALLY REJECT POLITICAL VIOLENCE OF ANY KIND.

[APPLAUSE] WE LOVE RELIGION, AND WE LOVE BRINGING IT BACK, AND IT IS COMING BACK AT LEVELS THAT NOBODY THOUGHT POSSIBLE.

ABOVE ALL, UNLEASH AND AMERICA'S PROMISE REQUIRES KEEPING OUR COMMUNITIES SAFE.

WE HAVE MADE INCREDIBLE STRIDES, YET DANGEROUS REPEAT OFFENDERS CONTINUE TO BE RELEASED BY PRO-CRIME DEMOCRAT POLITICIANS AGAIN AND AGAIN.

WE ARE HONORED TO BE JOINT TONIGHT BY A WOMAN WHO HAS BEEN THROUGH HELL, IRYNA.

SHE FLED WAR-TORN UKRAINE TO LIVE WITH RELATIVES NEAR CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA.

EITHER WAY, WHAT IS GOING ON WITH CHARLOTTE?

LAST SUMMER, 23-YEAR-OLD IRYNA WAS RIDING HOME ON A TRAIN WHEN A DERANGED MONSTER WHO HAD BEEN REALIZED -- WHO HAD BEEN ARRESTED OVER A DOZEN TIMES AND WAS RELEASED THROUGH NO CASH BAIL STOOD UP AND VICIOUSLY SLASHED A KNIFE TO HER NECK AND BODY.

NO ONE WILL EVER FORGET.

THERE WERE PEOPLE ON THAT TRAIN.

NO ONE WILL EVER FORGET THE EXPRESSION OF TERROR OR IRYNA'S FACE AS SHE LOOKED AT HER ATTACKER IN THE LAST SECONDS OF HER LIFE.

SHE DIED INSTANTLY.

SHE ESCAPED A BRUTAL WAR, CAME IN THROUGH OPEN BORDERS.

MS.

ZARUTSKA, TONIGHT I ENSURE JUSTICE FOR YOUR MAGNIFICENT DAUGHTER, IRYNA.

[APPLAUSE] HOW DO YOU NOT STAND?

HOW DO YOU NOT STAND?

I AM ASKING THIS CONGRESS TO PASS TOUGH LEGISLATION TO ENSURE VIOLENT AND DANGEROUS REPEAT OFFENDERS ARE PUT BEHIND BARS AND IMPORTANTLY THAT THEY STAY THERE.

[APPLAUSE] STARTING LAST SUMMER, I DEPLOYED OUR NATIONAL GUARD AND FEDERAL LAW ENFORCEMENT TO RESTORE LAW & ORDER TO OUR MOST DANGEROUS CITIES, INCLUDING MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE, BIG SUCCESS, NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA, BIG SUCCESS, AND OUR NATION'S CAPITAL ITSELF, WASHINGTON, D.C., WHERE WE HAVE ALMOST NO CRIME ANYMORE IN WASHINGTON, D.C.

HOW DID THAT HAPPEN?

[APPLAUSE] IN FACT, CRIME IN WASHINGTON IS NOW AT THE LOWEST LEVEL EVER RECORDED, AND MURDERS IN D.C.

THIS JANUARY WERE DOWN CLOSE TO 100% FROM A YEAR AGO.

[APPLAUSE] THEY DON'T LIKE TO HEAR THAT.

ONE OF THE BRAVE SERVICEMEMBERS THAT HELPED ACHIEVE THIS STUNNING TURNAROUND WAS 20-YEAR-OLD WEST VIRGINIA ARMY NATIONAL GUARD SPECIALIST SARAH BAXTER.

SHE VOLUNTARILY EXTENDED HER SERVICE, AND HER RAKE WAS GOING TO BE LIFTED.

SHE WAS DOING SO WELL.

BUT THE NEXT DAY SHE WAS ON PATROL NEAR THE WHITE HOUSE WHERE SHE WAS AMBUSHED AND SHOT IN THE HEAD BY A TERRORIST MONSTER FROM AFGHANISTAN WHO SHOULD NOT HAVE BEEN IN OUR COUNTRY, ALL BECAUSE SHE WORE THE UNIFORM OF OUR NATION.

SHE WAS SHOT.

HE TRAVELED HERE BECAUSE HE DID NOT LIKE PEOPLE WEARING OUR UNIFORM.

HE WAS SICK, DERANGED.

SHOULD NOT HAVE BEEN IN OUR COUNTRY.

SARAH BECKSTROM DIED IN ORDER TO DEFEND OUR CAPITAL, AND WE ARE HONORED TO BE JOINED BY HER PARENTS.

YOUR DAUGHTER WAS A TRUE AMERICAN PATRIOT, AND SHE WILL BE GREATLY MISSED.

I SOME REPORTS ON HER.

THEY HAVE NEVER SEEN ANYTHING LIKE IT.

[APPLAUSE] SO SORRY.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

GREAT YOUNG LADY.

I SAW REPORTS.

SHE'S PERFECT.

SERVING ALONGSIDE SARAH WAS STAFF SERGEANT ANDREW WOLFE.

ANDREW WAS SHOT IN THE HEAD AND NOBODY KNEW IF HE COULD POSSIBLY MAKE IT.

BOTH SHOT VIOLENTLY IN THE HEAD.

NEITHER WAS EXPECTED TO MAKE IT.

EXCEPT HIS WONDERFUL MOTHER NAMED MELODY, WHO I SPOKE TO THE SAME NIGHT, AND SHE WAS SO POSITIVE, THE DOCTORS THOUGHT THAT ANDREW WAS GONE, BUT HIS MOTHER SAID NO, NO, MR.

PRESIDENT, ANDREW WILL BE FINE.

HE'S GOING TO MAKE IT.

I HAD NEVER SEEN ANYTHING LIKE IT.

HE WAS GIVEN ALMOST NO CHANCE.

SHE SAID I HAVE NO DOUBT, SIR, HE'S GOING TO BE OK.

THIS WAS THE CONVERSATION I HAD WITH HER THAT NIGHT, HER SON LAYING HOPELESSLY IN BED, BLOOD ALL OVER.

EVERYBODY IS PRAYING, SHE SAID, SIR, HE WILL BE OK.

THE DOCTORS DID NOT UNDERSTAND WHAT SHE WAS SAYING, AND AFTER LOOKING AT THE RESULTS OF THE DAMAGE DONE, NEITHER DID I. SHE WAS SO STRONG AND CONCLUSIVE THAT EVEN ANDREWS -- ANDREW'S GREAT FATHER FELT SHE DID NOT UNDERSTAND THE GRAVITY OF THE SITUATION.

BUT SHE TURNED OUT TO BE RIGHT, RIGHT, MELODY?

SHE TURNED OUT TO BE RIGHT.

[APPLAUSE] AMAZING, ACTUALLY.

I SAID, WHERE DID THIS WOMAN COME FROM?

SHE'S THE MOST POSITIVE PERSON I HAVE EVER MET.

WITH GOD'S HELP, ANDREW HAS BATTLED BACK FROM THE EDGE OF DEATH.

ON HIS WAY TO A MIRACULOUS RECOVERY.

HE'S GOT WORK TO DO.

HE'S DOING GREAT.

NICE TO SEE HE IS A GOOD LOOKING GUY.

NICE TO SEE YOU.

THANKS, ANDREW.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

[APPLAUSE] SO ANDREW, WHILE YOU ARE UP, I'M GOING TO ASK THE HIGHLY RESPECTED GENERAL TO PRESENT STAFF SERGEANT ANDREW WOLFE AND THE FAMILY OF SARAH BECKSTROM WITH THE AWARD CREATED BY OUR LATE GREAT PRESIDENT GEORGE WASHINGTON HIMSELF.

IT IS CALLED THE PURPLE HEART.

[APPLAUSE] WE LOVE YOU ALL.

WE ARE PROUDLY RESTORING SAFETY FOR AMERICANS AT HOME, AND WE ARE ALSO RESTORING SECURITY FOR AMERICANS ABROAD.

OUR COUNTRY HAS NEVER BEEN STRONGER.

MY FIRST 10 MONTHS, I ENDED EIGHT WARS, INCLUDING CAMBODIA - - ISN'T IT FUNNY?

SICK PEOPLE.

CAMBODIA AND THAILAND.

PAKISTAN AND INDIA.

IT WOULD HAVE BEEN A NUCLEAR WAR.

35 MILLION PEOPLE SAID THE PRIME MINISTER OF PAKISTAN WOULD HAVE DIED IF NOT FOR MY INVOLVEMENT.

KOSOVO AND SERBIA, ISRAEL AND IRAN, EGYPT AND ETHIOPIA, ARMENIA AND AZERBAIJAN, THE CONGO AND RWANDA, AND THE WAR IN GAZA WHICH PROCEEDS AT A VERY LOW LEVEL.

IT'S JUST ABOUT THERE.

I WANT TO THANK STEVE WITKOFF AND JARED KUSHNER FOR YOUR HELP.

THANK YOU, STEVE.

THANK YOU, JARED.

[APPLAUSE] I ALSO WANT TO THANK THE MAN THEY REPORT TO, SECRETARY OF STATE MARCO RUBIO.

THANK YOU.

[CHEERS AND APPLAUSE] PEOPLE LIKE YOU!

MARCO GOT 100% OF THE VOTES WHEN HE WAS IN CONFIRMATION.

I THINK OUR NEXT ONE WAS ABOUT 54%.

AND SOME OF THE DEMOCRATS ARE NOT ASSUMING I CAN'T BELIEVE WE APPROVED THAT GUY, AND HE SAID IT'S AN HONOR THAT THEY FEEL THAT WAY, RIGHT, MARCO?

YOU HAVE DONE A GREAT JOB.

GREAT SECRETARY OF STATE.

I THINK HE WILL GO DOWN AS THE BEST EVER.

[APPLAUSE] UNDER THE CEASE FIRE, EVERY SINGLE HOSTAGE, LIVING AND DEAD, HAS BEEN RETURN HOME.

CAN YOU BELIEVE THAT?

[CHEERS AND APPLAUSE] NOBODY THOUGHT IT WAS POSSIBLE.

NOBODY THOUGHT IT WAS POSSIBLE.

NOBODY THOUGHT THAT WAS POSSIBLE.

NOBODY THOUGHT THAT WAS POSSIBLE BOTH LIVING AND DEAD.

AND THOSE PARENTS WHO HAD A DEAD SON, THEY ALWAYS TOLD ME THERE BOY, THEY WANTED HIM AS MUCH AS THOUGH HE WERE LIVING.

IT WAS AN AMAZING PERIOD OF TIME.

HE CAME BACK AND WHEN WE GOT THE LIVING HOSTAGES BACK, AND MANY BEFORE THAT -- I ALWAYS SAID THOSE LAST 20 WOULD BE VERY TOUGH, AND WE GOT MANY MORE, HUNDREDS.

BUT WE ONLY GOT BACK 14 OR 15 OF THE DEAD OF THE 28.

BELIEVE IT OR NOT, HAMAS WORKED ALONG WITH ISRAEL AND THEY DUG AND DUG.

IT'S A TOUGH THING TO DO.

GOING THROUGH BODIES ALL OVER, PASSING UP 100 BODIES SOMETIMES FOR EACH ONE THEY FOUND.

TOUGH JOB.

THEY FINALLY GOT IT BACK TO 27, AND STEVE AND GERRIT GOT IT BACK TO 28.

THEY FOUND ALL 28.

NOBODY THOUGHT IT WAS POSSIBLE.

I REMEMBER THE FAMILY OF THE 28.

THEY WERE SO GRIEVED, BUT SO HAPPY.

AS HAPPY AS IT'S POSSIBLE TO BE.

THEY HAD THEIR BOY BACK.

THE MOTHER SAID, WE HAVE OUR BOY BACK.

WHAT A TIME THAT WAS, BUT WE GOT THEM ALL BACK.

[APPLAUSE] AND WE ARE WORKING VERY HARD TO END THE NINTH WAR, THE KILLING AND SLAUGHTER BETWEEN RUSSIA AND UKRAINE WHERE 25,000 SOLDIERS ARE DYING EACH AND EVERY MONTH.

THINK OF THAT, 25,000 SOLDIERS ARE DYING A MONTH.

A WAR WHICH WOULD HAVE NEVER HAPPENED IF OUR PRESIDENT.

AS PRESIDENT, I WILL MAKE PEACE WHEREVER I CAN, BUT I WILL NEVER HESITATE TO CONFRONT THREATS TO AMERICA WHEREVER WE MUST.

THAT'S WHY IN A BREAKTHROUGH OPERATION LAST YEAR, THE UNITED STATES MILITARY OBLITERATED IRAN'S NUCLEAR WEAPONS PROGRAM WITH AN ATTACK ON IRANIAN SOIL KNOWN AS OPERATION MIDNIGHT HAMMER.

[APPLAUSE] FOR DECADES, IT HAD BEEN THE POLICY OF THE UNITED STATES NEVER TO ALLOW IRAN TO OBTAIN A NUCLEAR WEAPON.

SINCE THEY SEIZED CONTROL OF THAT PROUD NATION 47 YEARS AGO, THAT REGIME AND ITS MURDEROUS PROXIES HAVE SPREAD NOTHING BUT TERROR, DEATH, AND HATE.

THEY HAVE KILLED AND MAIMED THOUSANDS OF AMERICAN SERVICE MEMBERS AND HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS AND EVEN MILLIONS OF PEOPLE WITH WHAT'S CALLED ROADSIDE BOMBS.

THEY WERE THE KING OF THE ROADSIDE BOMB.

AND WE TOOK OUT SOLEIMANI IN MY FIRST TERM.

HE WAS THE FATHER OF THE ROADSIDE BOMB.

[APPLAUSE] AND JUST OVER THE LAST COUPLE OF MONTHS WITH THE PROTESTS, THEY HAVE KILLED AT LEAST 32,000 PROTESTERS IN THEIR OWN COUNTRY.

THEY SHOT THEM AND HUNG THEM.

WE STOPPED THEM FROM HANGING A LOT OF THEM WITH THE THREAT OF SERIOUS VIOLENCE.

THIS IS SOME TERRIBLE PEOPLE.

THEY HAVE ALREADY DEVELOPED MISSILES THAT CAN THREATEN EUROPE AND OUR BASES OVERSEAS AND WE ARE WORKING TO BUILD MISSILES THAT WILL SOON REACH THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.

AFTER MIDNIGHT HAMMER, THEY WERE WARNED TO MAKE NO FUTURE ATTEMPT TO REBUILD THEIR WEAPONS PROGRAM IN PARTICULAR, NUCLEAR WEAPONS.

YET THEY CONTINUE.

THEY ARE STARTING IT OVER.

WE WIPED IT OUT AND THEY WANT TO STARTED OVER AGAIN AND ARE AT THIS MOMENT PURSUING IT.

WE ARE IN NEGOTIATIONS WITH THEM.

THEY WANT TO MAKE A DEAL, BUT WE HAVE NOT HEARD THOSE SECRET WORDS.

WE WILL NEVER HAVE A NUCLEAR WEAPON.

MY PREFERENCE -- [APPLAUSE] MY PREFERENCE IS TO SOLVE THIS PROBLEM THROUGH DIPLOMACY, BUT ONE THING IS CERTAIN.

I WILL NEVER ALLOW THE WORLD'S NUMBER ONE SPONSOR OF TERROR, WHICH THEY ARE BY FAR, TO HAVE A NUCLEAR WEAPON.

CAN'T LET THAT HAPPEN.

[APPLAUSE] AND NO NATION SHOULD EVER DOUBT AMERICA'S RESOLVE.

WE HAVE TO MOST POWERFUL MILITARY ON EARTH, AND WE BUILT THE MILITARY IN MY FIRST TERM.

WE ARE GOING TO CONTINUE TO DO SO JUST TO -- JUST APPROVED A TRILLION DOLLAR BUDGET.

WE HAVE NO CHOICE.

WE HAVE TO BE STRONG.

HOPEFULLY WE WILL SELDOM HAVE TO USE THIS GREAT POWER THAT WE BUILT TOGETHER.

IT IS CALLED PEACE THROUGH STRENGTH.

THAT HAS BEEN VERY EFFECTIVE.

[APPLAUSE] SO THANKS TO REPUBLICANS IN CONGRESS, WE ARE INVESTING THAT RECORD NUMBER OF DOLLARS.

HAVE NO CHOICE, IN THE UNITED STATES ARMED FORCES.

ALSO CREATING A LOT OF JOBS, BUT WE ARE NOT EVEN DOING IT FOR THAT REASON.

WE HAVE MORE JOBS, MORE PEOPLE WORKING THAN EVER BEFORE IN THE HISTORY OF OUR COUNTRY.

AND NATO COUNTRIES ARE OUR FRIENDS AND ALLIES, THEY ARE.

THEY HAVE JUST AGREED AT MY VERY STRONG REQUEST TO PLAY 5% OF GDP FOR MILITARY DEFENSE, RATHER THAN THE 2%, WHICH THEY WERE NOT PAYING.

WE WERE PAYING FOR ALMOST ALL OF THEM.

NOW THEY ARE PAYING 5% AS OPPOSED TO NOT PAYING.

[APPLAUSE] AND GETTING THAT 5% WAS SOMETHING EVERYONE SAID WOULD NEVER BE DONE.

WE GOT IT REALLY EASILY, ONE MEETING.

A BIG DIFFERENCE BETWEEN 2% THAT'S NOT PAID.

WE WERE PAYING, MANY OF THEM, VERY FEW WERE PAID OUT.

NOW 5%, THEY ARE PAID.

AND EVERYTHING WE SENT OVER TO UKRAINE IS SENT THROUGH NATO AND THEY PAY US IN FULL.

EVERY BRANCH OF OUR ARMED FORCES IS SETTING RECORDS FOR RECRUITMENT.

THIS IS SO EXCITING.

AND EVERY SERVICE MEMBER -- [APPLAUSE] AND EVERY SERVICE MEMBER RECENTLY RECEIVED A WARRIOR DIVIDEND OF $1776.

[APPLAUSE] THEY PUT IT ON MY DESK.

WE GOT THE MONEY FROM TARIFFS AND OTHER THINGS.

WE HAVE MUCH MORE MONEY THAN PEOPLE UNDERSTAND.

AFTER REBUILD THAT PROGRAM A LITTLE, BUT IT WON'T TAKE LONG.

WE GOT THE MONEY, $1775.

THEY WANTED MY APPROVAL, AND I SAID WHAT'S THE NUMBER?

$1775?

WAIT A MINUTE, FOR ONE MORE DOLLAR WE CAN HAVE $1776.

I NEVER ASKED ANYBODY IF WE COULD AFFORD IT.

ONE MORE DOLLAR, AND I SAID THAT'S GOOD.

ON MILITARY -- THAT WAS FOUR MONTHS AGO -- I NEVER SEE A PERSON IN THE MILITARY THAT DOESN'T THANK ME FOR IT.

WE ARE HONORED TO DO IT, THEY DESERVE IT.

1776, IT WAS GREAT.

WE LOVE OUR MILITARY, OUR LAW ENFORCEMENT, THE FIREMEN.

THE FIREMEN DON'T GET MENTIONED ENOUGH.

[APPLAUSE AND CHEERS] [APPLAUSE] WE ARE ALSO RESTORING AMERICAN SECURITY AND DOMINANCE IN THE WESTERN HEMISPHERE, ACTING TO SECURE OUR NATIONAL INTEREST AND DEFEND OUR COUNTRY FROM VIOLENCE, DRUGS, TERRORISM, AND FOREIGN INTERFERENCE.

FOR YEARS, LARGE SWATHS OF TERRITORY IN OUR REGION, INCLUDING REALLY LARGE PARTS OF MEXICO, HAVE BEEN CONTROLLED BY MURDEROUS DRUG CARTELS.

THAT'S WHY I DESIGNATED THESE CARTELS FOREIGN TERRORIST ORGANIZATIONS, AND I DECLARED ELICIT FENTANYL AS A WEAPON OF MASS DESTRUCTION.

[APPLAUSE] AND WITH OUR NEW MILITARY CAMPAIGN, WE HAVE STOPPED RECORD AMOUNTS OF DRUGS COMING INTO OUR COUNTRY, AND VIRTUALLY STOPPED IT COMPLETELY COMING IN BY WATER ORSEA.

YOU PROBABLY NOTICED THAT.

WE VERY SERIOUSLY DAMAGED THEIR FISHING INDUSTRY ALSO.

NOBODY WANTS TO GO FISHING ANYMORE.

WE HAVE TAKEN DOWN ONE OF THE MOST SINISTER CARTEL KINGPINS.

YOU SAW THAT YESTERDAY.

[APPLAUSE] IN JANUARY, ELITE AMERICAN WORRIERS CARRIED OUT ONE OF THE MOST COMPLEX, SPECTACULAR FEATS OF MILITARY COMPETENCE AND POWER IN WORLD HISTORY.

NO ONE HAS SEEN ANYTHING LIKE IT.

FOREIGN LEADERS CALLED ME AND SAID, VERY IMPRESSIVE.

THEY COULDN'T BELIEVE -- THEY ALL WATCHED, THEY SAW WHAT HAPPENED.

THIS IS A DIFFERENT FIGHTING FORCE THAT WE HAD YEARS AGO WHEN WE FOUGHT TO TIE.

IT'S A GREAT FIGHTING FORCE.

I'M SO PROUD OF IT.

LOOK AT SPACE FORCE.

SPACE FORCE IS MY BABY.

MY BABY, BECOMING SO IMPORTANT.

[APPLAUSE] AND AMERICA'S ARMED FORCES OVERWHELMED ALL DEFENSES AND UTTERLY DEFEATED AN ENEMY -- GOOD FIGHTERS -- TO END THE REIGN OF OUTLAWED DICTATOR NICOLAS MADURO AND BRING HIM TO FACE AMERICAN JUSTICE.

[APPLAUSE] AND THIS WAS AN ABSOLUTELY COLOSSAL VICTORY FOR THE SECURITY OF THE UNITED STATES, AND IT ALSO OPENS UP A BRIGHT NEW BEGINNING FOR THE PEOPLE OF VENEZUELA.

WE ARE WORKING CLOSELY WITH THE NEW PRESIDENT OF VENEZUELA, DELCY RODRIGUEZ, TO UNLEASH EXTRAORDINARY ECONOMIC GAINS FOR BOTH OF OUR COUNTRIES AND BRING HOPE TO THOSE WHO HAVE SUFFERED SO TERRIBLY.

THEY REALLY DID SUFFER.

WITH US TONIGHT AS ALEJANDRO GONZALES.

HE GREW UP IN A TIGHTKNIT VENEZUELAN FAMILY AND WAS ESPECIALLY CLOSE TO HER BELOVED UNCLE HENRIQUE.

BUT AFTER HENRIQUE RAN FOR OFFICE AND OPPOSED MADURO, HE WAS KIDNAPPED I SECURITY FORCES AND THROWN INTO THE INFAMOUS PRISON IN CARACAS.

ALEJANDRA FEARED SHE WOULD NEVER SEE HER UNCLE AGAIN.

SHE FEARED FOR HER OWN LIFE ALSO.

SINCE THE RAID, WE HAVE WORKED WITH THE NEW LEADERSHIP, AND THEY HAVE ORDERED THE CLOSURE OF THAT VILE PRISON AND RELEASED HUNDREDS OF POLITICAL PRISONS ALREADY, WITH MORE TO COME.

ALEJANDRA, I'M PLEASED TO PERFORM YOU THAT NOT ONLY HAS YOUR UNCLE BEEN RELEASED, BUT HE IS HERE TONIGHT.

WE BROUGHT HIM TO CELEBRATE HIS FREEDOM WITH YOU IN PERSON.

ENRIQUE, PLEASE COME DOWN.

[APPLAUSE AND CHEERS] THANK YOU, AND RECONNECT -- ENRIQUE.

HAVE A GOOD TIME.

NICE TO HAVE YOU BACK.

THERE WERE MANY HEROES ON THIS JANUARY RATE WHO CAPTURED MADURO, GREAT HEROES.

THEY KNEW WE WERE COMING.

THEY WERE ALL SET.

BUT THE DEEDS OF ONE WARRIOR WILL LIVE FOREVER IN THE ETERNAL CHRONICLES OF MILITARY VALOR.

CHIEF WARRANT OFFICER FIVE, ERIC SLOVER, PLANNED THE MISSION AND WAS THE FLIGHT LEAD IN THE COCKPIT OF THE FIRST HELICOPTER.

A BIG, BEAUTIFUL, POWERFUL HELICOPTER.

A MASSIVE CHINOOK, CARRYING, AS YOU CAN IMAGINE, MANY AMERICAN WAR FIGHTERS.

WEARING THE DOG TAGS HIS WIFE AMY HAD BLESSED WITH HOLY WATER BEFORE HE LEFT.

SHE KNEW IT WAS GOING TO BE A ROUGH ONE.

ERIC STEERED THE CHINOOK UNDER THE COVER OF NIGHT AND DESCENDED SWIFTLY UPON MADURO'S HEAVILY PROTECTED MILITARY FORTRESS.

THIS WAS A MAJOR MILITARY INSTALLATION, PROTECTED BY THOUSANDS OF SOLDIERS AND GUARDED BY RUSSIAN AND CHINESE MILITARY TECHNOLOGY.

HOW DOES THAT WORK OUT?

NOT TOO GOOD.

[LAUGHTER] WHILE PREPARING TO LAND ENEMY MACHINE GUNS FIRED FROM EVERY ANGLE, AND ERIC WAS HIT VERY BADLY IN THE LEG AND HIP, ONE BULLET AFTER ANOTHER.

HE ABSORBED FOUR AGONIZING SHOTS , SHREDDING HIS LEG INTO NUMEROUS PIECES.

DESPITE THE FACT THE USE OF HIS LEGS WAS VITAL TO SUCCESSFUL HELICOPTER FLIGHT -- LEGS ARE THE MOST IMPORTANT PART OF FLYING A HELICOPTER -- TO DELIVER THE MANY COMMANDOS WHO WOULD CAPTURE AND DETAIN MADURO WAS THE ONLY THING ERIC WAS THINKING ABOUT.

EVEN AS HE WAS GUSHING BLOOD, WHICH WAS FLOWING BACK DOWN THE AISLE, THE HELICOPTER LANDS AT A STEEP ANGLE.

MACHINE GUNS STOOD RIGHT IN FRONT OF HIM.

RIGHT IN FRONT OF HIM, TWO MACHINE GUNNERS WHO ESCAPED THE WRATH OF THE PREVIOUS PLANES.

ERIC MANEUVERED HIS HELICOPTER WITH ALL OF THOSE LIVES AND SOULS TO FACE THE ENEMY AND LET HIS GUNNERS ELIMINATE THE THREAT.

TURN THE HELICOPTER AROUND SO THE GUNNERS COULD TAKE CARE OF BUSINESS, SAVING THE LIVES OF HIS FELLOW WARRIORS FROM WHAT COULD HAVE BEEN A CATASTROPHIC CRASH DEEP IN ENEMY TERRITORY.

ONLY AFTER SAFELY LANDING THAT HELICOPTER WITH ALL THE WARRIORS ABOARD, IN THE EXACT RIGHT SPOT WHICH WAS VITAL TO THE MISSION, PROBABLY WOULD HAVE HAPPENED THAT WE CANCEL THE MISSION IF THAT DIDN'T HAPPEN, ERIC TOLD HIS COPILOT, ALSO WOUNDED BUT NOT AS GREATLY, TO TAKE OVER, I'M ABOUT READY TO PASS OUT.

THE SUCCESS OF THE ENTIRE MISSION AND THE LIVES OF HIS FELLOW WARRIORS HINGED ON ERIC'S ABILITY TO TAKE SEARING PAIN.

IT WAS UNBELIEVABLE, WHAT HAPPENED TO HIS LEGS, OF THE BULLETS AND KEEP ON FLYING AND LANDING.

PEOPLE KNEW WHAT WAS HAPPENING.

EVERYBODY IN THE BACK OF THE HELICOPTER KNEW BECAUSE THEY SAW THE BLOOD POURING DOWN THE AISLE.

CHIEF WARRANT OFFICER SLOVER IS STILL RECOVERING FROM HIS SERIOUS WOUNDS, BUT I'M THRILLED TO SAY HE IS HERE TONIGHT WITH HIS WIFE AMY.

ERIC AND AMY, COME ON IN.

[APPLAUSE] [CHANTING "USA"] SO WE HAVE A SURPRISE FOR ERIC AND AMY.

IN RECOGNITION OF ERIC'S ACTIONS ABOVE AND BEYOND THE CALL OF DUTY, I WOULD LIKE TO ASK GENERAL JONATHAN BRAGA TO PRESENT CHIEF WARRANT OFFICER SLOVER WITH OUR NATION'S HIGHEST MILITARY AWARD, THE CONGRESSIONAL MEDAL OF HONOR.

[APPLAUSE] WELL, THANK YOU VERY MUCH, ERIC AND AMY.

GREAT TO GET TO KNOW YOU.

WE MET WITH THEM AND WITH A LOT OF THEIR FELLOW WARRIORS AT FORT BRAGG RECENTLY.

YOU NOTICE THE NAME FORT BRAGG?

WE BROUGHT IT BACK.

WE WON THE FIRST WORLD WAR WITH IT, THE SECOND WORLD WAR, AND THEN THEY DECIDE TO CHANGE THE NAME.

SO WE CHANGED IT BACK.

EVERYBODY WANTED IT CHANGED BACK TOO.

10 OF ERIC'S FELLOW WARRIORS FROM THAT INCREDIBLE NIGHT OF VICTORY WILL ALSO BE RECEIVING MEDALS AT A PRIVATE CEREMONY THAT WILL SOON BE HELD AT THE WHITE HOUSE.

ERIC WILL BE THERE.

[APPLAUSE] THANK YOU, ERIC.

THAT'S A BIG ONE.

TONIGHT WE HAVE CELEBRATED MANY TRULY EXTRAORDINARY AMERICAN PATRIOTS, BUT THERE IS ONE LAST LIVING LEGEND TO HONOR BEFORE WE GO.

HE IS ONE MORE HEROIC AMERICAN AVIATOR, NAVY FILER PILOT -- FIGHTER PILOT ROYCE WILLIAMS SERVED IN WORLD WAR II, KOREA, VIETNAM, FLYING MORE THAN 220 MISSIONS.

IN THE SKIES OVER KOREA IN 1952, ROYCE WAS IN THE DOGFIGHT OF A LIFETIME.

LEGENDARY DOGFIGHT.

FLYING THROUGH BLIZZARD CONDITIONS, HIS SQUADRON WAS AMBUSHED BY SEVEN SOVIET FIGHTER PLANES.

IT WAS HIS FIRST AERIAL COMBAT OF THE WAR, AND DESPITE BEING MASSIVELY OUTNUMBERED AND OUTGUNNED, ROYCE LED THE TAKEDOWN OF FOUR ENEMY JETS AND ALMOST DESTROYED THE OTHERS, VANQUISHING HIS ADVERSARIES WHILE TAKING 263 BULLETS TO HIS OWN PLANE AND BEING SERIOUSLY HURT.

HIS STORY WAS SECRET FOR OVER 50 YEARS.

HE DIDN'T EVEN WANT TO TELL HIS WIFE, BUT THE LEGEND GREW.

TONIGHT AT 100 YEARS OLD, THIS BRAVE NAVY CAPTAIN IS FINALLY GETTING THE LEGEND -- THE RECOGNITION HE DESERVES.

HE WAS A LEGEND LONG BEFORE THIS EVENING.

ROYCE, PLEASE STAND UP AND I WILL ASK THE FIRST LADY OF THE UNITED STATES TO PRESENT CAPTAIN ROYCE WILLIAMS WITH HIS CONGRESSIONAL MEDAL OF HONOR.

[APPLAUSE AND CHEERS] [APPLAUSE] [APPLAUSE] GIVE ROYCE -- THANK YOU, ROYCE, AND THANK YOU, ERIC.

I HAVE ALWAYS WANTED THE CONGRESSIONAL MEDAL OF HONOR, BUT I WAS INFORMED I'M NOT ALLOWED TO GIVE IT TO MYSELF.

IF THEY EVER OPEN UP THAT LAW, I WILL BE WITH YOU SOMEDAY.

BUT THAT'S OUR HIGHEST HONOR, CONGRESSIONAL MEDAL OF HONOR.

THAT'S A BIG THING AND IT'S AN HONOR TO BE IN THE SAME ROOM WITH YOU.

THANK YOU BOTH VERY MUCH.

ERIC, THANK YOU.

[APPLAUSE] THANK YOU.

250 YEARS IS A LONG TIME IN THE LIFE OF A NATION.

BUT IN ANOTHER SENSE, IT'S A MERE MOMENT IN THE EYE OF HISTORY.

TWO OF THE GENTLEMEN WE MET IN THE GALLERY THIS EVENING TOOK THEIR FIRST BREATHS ONE CENTURY AGO, 100 YEARS BEFORE THAT ON JULY 4, 1826, THE AUTHOR OF THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE, BRILLIANT, THOMAS JEFFERSON DREW HIS LAST BREATH.

JUST A SINGLE LONG HUMAN LIFESPAN SEPARATES THE GIANTS WHO DECLARED AND WON OUR INDEPENDENCE FROM THE HEROES WHO STAND AMONG US TONIGHT.

EVERYTHING OUR NATION HAS DONE, EVERYTHING WE HAVE ACHIEVED HAS BEEN THE WORK OF THOSE FEW GREAT LIFETIMES.

THOSE BRIEF CHAPTERS, AMERICANS BUILT THIS NATION FROM 13 HUMBLE COLONIES INTO THE PINNACLE OF HUMAN CIVILIZATION AND FREEDOM, THE STRONGEST, WEALTHIEST, MOST POWERFUL, MOST SUCCESSFUL NATION IN ALL OF HISTORY.

AMERICANS VENTURED OUT ACROSS THE DAUNTING AND DANGEROUS CONTINENT.

WE CARVED PADS THROUGH AN UNFORGIVING WILDERNESS, SETTLED A BOUNDLESS FRONTIER, AND TAMED THE BEAUTIFUL BUT VERY DANGEROUS WILD WEST.

FROM EMPTY MARSHES AND WIDE-OPEN PLANES, WE RAISED UP THE WORLD'S GREATEST CITIES.

TOGETHER WE MASTERED THE WORLD'S MIGHTIEST INDUSTRIES AND SHATTERED HISTORIES, MONSTROUS TYRANNIES.

AND WE LIBERATED MILLIONS FROM THE CHAINS OF FASCISM, COMMUNISM, OPPRESSION, AND TERROR.

AMERICANS LIFTED COMMUNITY INTO THE SKIES ON THE WINGS OF ALUMINUM AND STEEL.

THEN WE LAUNCHED MANKIND INTO THE STARS ON ROCKETS POWERED BY SHEER AMERICAN WILL AND UNYIELDING AMERICAN PRIDE.

WE WIRED THE GLOBE WITH OUR INGENUITY.

WE CAPTIVATED THE PLANET WITH AMERICAN CULTURE.

NOW WE ARE PIONEERING THE NEXT GREAT AMERICAN BREAKTHROUGHS THAT WILL CHANGE THE ENTIRE WORLD.

ALL OF THIS AND SO MUCH MORE IS THE ENDURING LEGACY, UNMATCHED GLORY OF THE HARD-WORKING PATRIOTS WHO BUILT AND DEFENDED THIS COUNTRY AND WHO STILL CARRY THE HOPES AND FREEDOMS AT ALL OF HUMANITY'S BACKS.

FOR YEARS THEY WERE FORGOTTEN, BETRAYED, AND CAST ASIDE, BUT THAT GREAT BETRAYAL IS OVER AND THEY WILL NEVER BE FORGOTTEN AGAIN.

WHEN THE WORLD NEEDS DARING, COURAGE, VISION, AND INSPIRATION, IT IS STILL TURNING TO AMERICA.

WHEN GOD NEEDS A NATION TO WORK HIS MIRACLES, HE KNOWS EXACTLY WHO TO ASK.

THERE IS NO CHALLENGE AMERICANS CANNOT OVERCOME.

NO FRONTIER TOO FAST FOR US TO CONQUER -- VAST FOR US TO CONQUER.

NO DREAM TOO BOLD FOR US TO CHASE.

NO HORIZON TOO DISTANT FOR US TO CLAIM.

FOR OUR DESTINY IS WRITTEN BY THE HAND OF PROVIDENCE, AND THESE FIRST 250 YEARS WERE JUST THE BEGINNING.

FROM THE RUGGED BORDER TOWNS OF TEXAS TO THE HEARTLAND VILLAGES OF MICHIGAN, FROM THE SUN-KISSED SHORES OF FLORIDA TO THE ENDLESS FIELDS OF THE DAKOTAS.

AND FROM THE HISTORIC STREETS OF PHILADELPHIA TO RIGHT HERE IN OUR NATION'S CAPITAL, WASHINGTON, D.C.. THE GOLDEN AGE OF AMERICA IS UPON US.

THE REVOLUTION THAT BEGAN IN 1776 HAS NOT ENDED.

IT STILL CONTINUES, BECAUSE THE FLAME OF LIBERTY AND INDEPENDENCE STILL BURNS IN THE HEART OF EVERY AMERICAN PATRIOT.

OUR FUTURE WILL BE BIGGER, BETTER, BRIGHTER, BOLDER, AND MORE GLORIOUS THAN EVER BEFORE.

THANK YOU, GOD BLESS YOU, AND GOD BLESS AMERICA.

[APPLAUSE] GEOFF: PRESIDENT TRUMP TONIGHT GEOFF: PRESIDENT TRUMP BREAKING BREAKING THE RECORD FOR THE THE RECORD FOR THE LONGEST EVER LONGEST EVER STATE OF THE UNION STATE OF THE UNION ADDRESS.

ADDRESS.

THE FIRST YEAR OF HIS SECOND HE SAYS THE FIRST YEAR OF HIS SECOND TERM IS A STRING OF VICTORIES.

HE SPENT THE FIRST PART OF THE SPEECH TOUTING THE ECONOMIC POLICY.

HE FAILED THE DEMOCRATS OF BEING CRAZY.

SPOTLIGHTING THE FAMILIES WHO LOST RELATIVES TO CRIMES COMMITTED BY UNDOCUMENTED IMMIGRANTS.

THIS IS A TIME WHERE SIX IN 10 AMERICANS SAY THE COUNTRY IS IN A WORSE PLACE THAN A YEAR AGO.

LET'S GO TO LISA WHO HAS A CHOICE SPOT IN THE PRESS GALLERY A TOP WHERE PRESIDENT TRUMP WAS SPEAKING THIS EVENING.

DEMOCRATIC LEADERSHIP WAS REALLY INTENT ON NOT BECOMING A PROP WITH THEIR REACTIONS THE PRESIDENT TRUMP.

THEY IMPLORED DEMOCRATS NO SIGNS, NO SHOUTING, NO REACTION.

YET, THAT IS NOT WHAT WE SAW FROM A NUMBER OF NUMBERS OF CONGRESS INCLUDING AL GREEN AND CONGRESSWOMEN TLAIB AND OMAR.

LISA: THERE WERE FAR FEWER SIGNS AND FAR FEWER MEMBERS SHOUTING OUT THIS YEAR THAN LAST YEAR.

HOWEVER, THERE WERE SOME PROMINENT MEMBERS, INCLUDING REPRESENTATIVE OMAR WHO REPEATEDLY SHOUTED OUT, ESPECIALLY DURING HIS SECTION ON IMMIGRATION, AT ONE POINT, SHOUTING OUT "YOU HAVE KILLED AMERICANS."

ANOTHER REPRESENTATIVE, NORMA TORRES, HERSELF AN IMMIGRANT, STOOD UP WITH A SIGN THAT HAD THE FACES OF RENEE GOOD AND ALEX PRETTI ON IT.

THIS IS THE POINT THESE MEMBERS WERE TRYING TO MAKE AS THE PRESIDENT WAS ASKING FOR FUNDING FOR DHS, THEY WERE TRYING TO MAKE THE POINT THAT IN THEIR MINDS, THE PRESIDENT AND THE DHS ITSELF ARE DANGEROUS.

THERE WAS ALSO A BUTTON APPRECIATED TO LEAVE -- RASHIDA TLAIB HAD ON THAT ADDED X HAD AN EXPLETIVE ON IT.

THIS IS NOT WHAT DEMOCRATIC LEADERS WANTED, BUT FOR DEMOCRATS, IT WAS HARD FOR THEM TO SIT HERE AND LISTEN WITHOUT OBJECTING.

CLEARLY, SOME OF THEM SLANT ON IT.

OUR STAFF, WE'VE BEEN COUNTING THE DIFFERENT SECTIONS OF THIS.

IT WAS ECONOMY, ECONOMY, ECONOMY AND IMMIGRATION WITH SOME FOREIGN AFFAIRS AS WELL.

AMNA: TELL US MORE ABOUT THE REACTION YOU SAW FROM REPUBLICAN LAWMAKERS IN THE CHAMBER AS WELL.

THERE'S A FEW MOMENTS OF BIPARTISAN APPLAUSE FOR THE U.S.

MEN'S HOCKEY TEAM BUT ALSO FOREIGN FAMILIES WHO LOST LOVED ONES, THERE WERE MEDALS AWARDED TO VARIOUS FOLKS.

I NOTICED THE LONGEST APPLAUSE WAS WHEN THE PRESIDENT MENTIONED A LINE ABOUT THE PRIORITY TO PROTECT AMERICAN CITIZENS, NOT IN HIS WORDS, ILLEGAL ALIENS.

DID THAT STAND OUT TO YOU?

LISA: IT DID.

THAT WAS A LOUD AND LONG ROUND OF APPLAUSE FROM REPUBLICANS BUT DEMOCRATS DID NOT TAKE THAT.

THE PRESIDENT REMARKED ON THAT.

THERE WAS 5 -- FAR MORE BY PARTISAN APPLAUSE I EXPECTED WHEN THE PRESIDENT WAS TALKING ABOUT BRINGING ISRAELI HOSTAGES HOME ALSO, TALK ABOUT NOT ALLOWING IRAN TO HAVE A NUCLEAR WEAPON.

THERE WAS A LOT OF BIPARTISAN APPLAUSE DURING THAT SECTION.

OTHERWISE, THIS WAS A VERY PARTISAN-RECEIVED SPEECH.

I WILL SAY FOR REPUBLICANS, THERE WAS ONE SECTION I NOTICED ALMOST NO ONE WAS REACTING UNTIL THE VERY END AND THAT WAS THE SECTION ON TARIFFS.

I THOUGHT REPUBLICANS LOOKING DOWN, LOOKING AROUND.

THROUGHOUT THE REST OF THE SPEECH, THEY WERE PLEASED, THEY WERE ON THE EDGE OF THEIR SEATS, MOSTLY ENJOYING THE VERY LONG SPEECH.

DURING THE TARIFF SECTION, I SAW THEM LOOKING LIKE THEY WANTED THAT SECTION TWO END AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.

GEOFF: LET'S GO TO LIZ LANDERS WHOSE OUTSIDE THE CHAMBERS.

I KNOW YOU'VE BEEN WORKING YOUR SOURCES ALL EVENING AS THE PRESIDENT HAS BEEN SPEAKING.

WHAT ARE YOU HEARING FROM REPUBLICANS, WHITE HOUSE AIDES ABOUT HOW THE SPEECH LANDED THIS EVENING?

LIZ: I AM TALKING RIGHT OFF-CAMERA HERE IS CONGRESSWOMAN BACON FROM NEBRASKA AND I WAS ASKING HIM HIS REACTION.

HE SAID THERE WAS A LOT OF GOOD.

REALLY GLAD THAT THE PRESIDENT FOCUSED ON THE ECONOMY.

HE SAID IT WAS A LITTLE UNNECESSARILY ANTAGONISTIC TOWARDS THE DEMOCRATS.

YOU HEARD LISA MENTIONED THAT, THE REACTION IN THE CHAMBER, SOME OF THE OUTBURST YOU HEARD FROM THE DEMOCRATS.

OVERALL, CONGRESSMAN BACON NODDING HIS HEAD.

WE KNOW THAT REPUBLICANS, WHITE HOUSE AIDES IN PARTICULAR HAVE BEEN EMPHASIZING TO THE PRESIDENT TO HONE IN ON THIS MESSAGE OF THE ECONOMY.

I HEARD THE WHITE HOUSE DEPUTY CHIEF OF STAFF JAMES BLAIR HAD THAT MEETING LAST WEEK WITH SUSIE WILES, THE CHIEF OF STAFF.

A BUNCH OF REPUBLICAN ALLIES SAYING THE ECONOMY AND AFFORDABILITY IS THE MESSAGE GOING INTO THE MIDTERM CYCLE.

WE HEARD THE FIRST HOUR OF THIS SPEECH FOCUSED HEAVILY ON THAT.

AS LISA WAS TALKING ABOUT, WE HEARD THE PRESIDENT TALK ABOUT SOME OF WHAT HE WAS TOUTING AS FOREIGN POLICY ACCOMPLISHMENTS.

IN PARTICULAR, I THOUGHT THE PART ABOUT IRAN WAS QUITE INTERESTING.

THE PRESIDENT ALMOST MAKING THE CASE RIGHT NOW TO THE AMERICAN PEOPLE AS TO WHY HE MAY BE BUILDING UP MILITARY FORCES IN THE REGION THERE.

SAYING HE WILL NEVER ALLOW IRAN TO HAVE A NUCLEAR WEAPON.

SO, FOCUSING HEAVILY ON THAT DOMESTIC AGENDA, WHICH THE WHITE HOUSE VERY MUCH WANTED THE PRESIDENT TO REFOCUS ON THAT AS WE ARE HEADING INTO THE MIDTERMS IN NOVEMBER.

AMNA: THAT IS LIZ LANDERS REPORTING FROM CAPITOL HILL.

BACK AT THE DESK WITH OUR PANEL.

WE ARE AWAITING THE DEMOCRATIC RESPONSE.

FAIZ, IN TERMS OF WHAT YOU JUST HEARD FROM THE PRESIDENT, HOW SHOULD GOVERNOR ABIGAIL SPANBERGER RESPOND?

FAIZ: IF ANYONE IS HUNTING OR WANTING SOMETHING NEW FROM THE PRESIDENT TONIGHT, THEY DIDN'T GET IT.

HE HEARD A LOT OF THE TIRED ACT, IN MY VIEW.

IT WAS RED MEAT FOR THE REPUBLICANS.

FOR MANY AMERICANS WHO ARE SAYING HAS THE PRESIDENT RECALIBRATED, IS HE COMING FORWARD WITH A DIFFERENT KIND OF AGENDA?

HE DID NOT GIVE YOU MUCH TO WORK ON.

I WAS KEEPING TRACK DURING THE PRESIDENT'S SPEECH WHAT WAS BASE AND PERSUASION FOR HIM.

THERE IS VERY LITTLE.

THE HOCKEY TEAM WAS A GREAT EFFORT TO BRING PEOPLE TOGETHER BUT AFTER THAT, THERE WAS NOT MUCH TO SPEAK TO PEOPLE WITH WHOM HE HAS DISAGREEMENTS WITH.

>> I THINK IT WAS EXACTLY WHAT HE ANTICIPATED.

HE SHOWED THE DEMOCRATS ARE COMPLETELY OUT OF TOUCH.

HE STARTED WITH A WORLD WAR II VETERAN AND ENDED WITH A WORLD WAR II VETERAN, BRINGING IT HOME.

BRINGING IT BACK TO WHY WE ARE GREAT.

I THOUGHT IT WAS INTERESTING HOW HE POINTED OUT TO MAKE SURE THE AMERICAN PEOPLE UNDERSTOOD HOW EVERY DEMOCRAT VOTED AGAINST HIS HISTORIC TAX CUTS.

MADE THAT A VERY CLEAR POINT IN THE VERY BEGINNING, WHICH I THINK WAS IMPORTANT.

AND THEY WANTED AN INCREASE IN TAXES.

THEY WANTED TO SEE PRICES RISE FOR THE AMERICAN PEOPLE.

THEN, I FEEL LIKE HE REALLY POINTED OUT ISSUES THAT ARE WIDELY ACCEPTED AND SUPPORTED BY THE MAJORITY OF AMERICANS.

HE TALKED ABOUT STOPPING THE INSIDER TRADING ACT.

HE TALKED ABOUT THE DELILAH LAW TO BAN ILLEGAL ALIENS FROM GETTING COMMERCIAL DRIVER'S LICENSES.

HE TALKED ABOUT SAVE AMERICA ACT, WHICH THE MAJORITY OF AMERICANS ARE BEHIND.

HE POINTED OUT HOW THE DEMOCRATS SAT THERE AND DID NOT SUPPORT IT.

I THOUGHT IT WAS BRILLIANT.

I THOUGHT IT WAS A SMART PLAY TO SHOW THE AMERICAN PEOPLE WHAT HE'S WORKING ON AND WHAT HE WILL FIGHT FOR FOR THAT.

AMNA: YOUR QUICK REACTION.

KEVIN: I WOULD AGREE THIS IS THE PRESIDENT AND HIS BEST.

YES, HE WAS VERY COMBATIVE BUT ALSO VERY ENGAGING.

YOU CAN TELL HE REALLY ENJOYED GIVING THIS SPEECH.

HE ENJOYED THE OPPORTUNITY TO TALK TO THE AMERICAN PUBLIC.

IN THE 2026 FRAME, THIS IS AGAINST THE BACKDROP OF THE MIDTERM ELECTIONS ONLY NINE MONTHS AWAY.

THE PRESIDENT REALLY FOCUSED ON IMMIGRATION.

I THINK HE BELIEVES HAVING LOST A LOT OF INDEPENDENTS AND TRENDING SUPPORT THE WRONG WAY FOR HIM, THAT AS A WAY TO GET THOSE INDEPENDENT VOTERS BACK.

THAT IS HOW TO GET THAT MAGA COALITION THAT HELPED HIM 2024, AND THAT HE EXPECTS WILL HELP THE PARTY IN THESE MIDTERMS.

GEOFF: THE PANEL WILL STAY WITH US ALL NIGHT AND WE WILL SHIFT OUR FOCUS TO VIRGINIA BECAUSE TONIGHT'S DEMOCRATIC RESPONSE IS COMING FOR VIRGINIA GOVERNOR ABIGAIL SPANBERGER.

GOV.

SPANBERGER: WE ARE GATHERED HERE IN THE CHAMBERS OF THE HOUSE.

IN 1705, THE PEOPLE OF THE VIRGINIA COLONY GATHERED HERE TO TAKE ON THE EXTRAORDINARY TASK OF GOVERNING THEMSELVES.

BEFORE THERE WAS A DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE, A CONSTITUTION OR A BILL OF RIGHTS, THERE WERE PEOPLE IN THIS ROOM.

THE PEOPLE WHO SERVED HERE ULTIMATELY DREAMED OF WHAT A NEW NATION, UNLIKE ANYTHING THE WORLD HAD EVER SEEN COULD BE.

THE UNITED STATES WAS FOUNDED ON THE IDEA THAT ORDINARY PEOPLE COULD REJECT THE UNACCEPTABLE EXCESSES OF POOR LEADERSHIP, BAND TOGETHER TO DEMAND BETTER OF THEIR GOVERNMENT, AND CREATE A NATION THAT WOULD BE AN EXAMPLE TO THE WORLD.

[APPLAUSE] THIS YEAR, AS WE CELEBRATE 250 YEARS SINCE AMERICA DECLARED OUR INDEPENDENCE FROM TYRANNY, I CAN THINK OF NO BETTER PLACE TO SPEAK TO YOU AS WE REFLECT ON THE CURRENT STATE OF OUR UNION.

TONIGHT, AS WE WATCHED OUR NATION'S LAWMAKERS GATHER FOR A JOINT SESSION OF CONGRESS, WE DID NOT HEAR THE TRUTH FROM OUR PRESIDENT.

SO, LET'S SPEAK PLAINLY AND HONESTLY, AND LET ME ASK YOU THE AMERICAN PEOPLE WATCHING AT HOME THREE QUESTIONS.

IS THE PRESIDENT WORKING TO MAKE LIFE MORE AFFORDABLE FOR YOU AND YOUR FAMILY?

IS THE PRESIDENT WORKING TO KEEP AMERICANS SAFE BOTH AT HOME AND ABROAD?

IS THE PRESIDENT WORKING FOR YOU?

AS I CAMPAIGN FOR GOVERNOR LAST YEAR, I TRAVELED TO EVERY CORNER OF VIRGINIA AND I HEARD THE SAME PRESSING CONCERN EVERYWHERE.

COSTS ARE TOO HIGH.

IN HOUSING, HEALTH CARE, ENERGY AND CHILDCARE.

AND I KNOW THESE SAME CONVERSATIONS ARE BEING HAD ALL ACROSS THIS COUNTRY.

BECAUSE SINCE THIS PRESIDENT TOOK OFFICE LAST YEAR, HIS RECKLESS TRADE POLICIES HAVE FORCED AMERICAN FAMILIES TO PAY MORE THAN $1700 EACH IN TARIFF COSTS.

SMALL BUSINESSES HAVE SUFFERED, FARMERS HAVE SUFFERED, SOME LOSING ENTIRE MARKETS.

EVERY DAY ARE PAYING THE PRICE.

EVEN THOUGH THE SUPREME COURT STRUCK THESE TARIFFS DOWN FOUR DAYS AGO, THE DAMAGE TO US, THE AMERICAN PEOPLE, HAS ALREADY BEEN DONE.

MEANWHILE, THE PRESIDENT IS PLANNING FOR NEW TARIFFS, ANOTHER MASSIVE TAX HIKE ON YOU AND YOUR FAMILY.

REPUBLICANS IN CONGRESS, THEY REMAIN UNWILLING TO ASSERT THEIR CONSTITUTIONAL AUTHORITY TO STOP HIM.

THEY ARE MAKING YOUR LIFE HARDER.

THEY ARE MAKING YOUR LIFE MORE EXPENSIVE.

THEY ARE EVEN MAKING IT MORE DIFFICULT TO SEE A DOCTOR.

RURAL HEALTH CLINICS IN VIRGINIA AND ACROSS THE COUNTRY ARE ALREADY CLOSING THEIR DOORS THANKS TO THE SO-CALLED ONE BIG, BEAUTIFUL BILL CHAMPIONED BY THE PRESIDENT AND REPUBLICANS IN CONGRESS.

TONIGHT, THE PRESIDENT CELEBRATED THIS LAW, THE ONE THREATENING RURAL HOSPITALS.

STRIPPING HEALTH CARE FOR MILLIONS OF AMERICANS AND DRIVING UP COSTS IN ENERGY, HOUSING, ALL WHILE CUTTING FOOD PROGRAMS FOR HEALTHY KIDS.

IN VIRGINIA, I AM WORKING WITH OUR STATE LEGISLATURE TO LOWER COSTS AND MAKE THE COMMONWEALTH MORE AFFORDABLE.

[APPLAUSE] IT IS NOT JUST ME.

DEMOCRATS ACROSS THE COUNTRY ARE LASER FOCUSED ON AFFORDABILITY IN OUR NATIONS CAPITAL AND STATE CAPITALS AND COMMUNITIES ACROSS AMERICA.

IN THE MOST INNOVATIVE AND EXCEPTIONAL NATION IN THE HISTORY OF THE WORLD, AMERICANS DESERVE TO KNOW THAT THEIR LEADERS ARE FOCUSED ON ADDRESSING THE PROBLEMS THAT KEEP THEM UP AT NIGHT.

PROBLEMS THAT DICTATE WHERE YOU LIVE, WHETHER YOU CAN AFFORD TO START A BUSINESS OR WHETHER YOU HAVE TO SKIP A PRESCRIPTION IN ORDER TO BUY GROCERIES.

I WILL ASK AGAIN, IS THE PRESIDENT WORKING TO MAKE LIFE MORE AFFORDABLE FOR YOU AND YOUR FAMILY?

WE ALL KNOW THE ANSWER IS NO.

I GREW UP IN A HOUSE OF SERVICE.

MY MOTHER WAS A NURSE AND MY FATHER WAS A CAREER LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER.

I BEGAN MY CAREER BY FOLLOWING IN MY FATHER'S FOOTSTEPS.

AS A FEDERAL AGENT WORKING WITH MONEY LAUNDERING AND NARCOTIC CASES.

I WORKED SIDE-BY-SIDE WITH LOCAL AND STATE POLICE TO KEEP OUR COMMUNITIES SAFE, AND TO UPHOLD AND ENFORCE THE LAW.

LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS ACROSS THE COUNTRY KNOW THAT IT IS A UNIQUE RESPONSIBILITY TO DO THE SERIOUS WORK OF INVESTIGATING CRIMES, COMFORTING VICTIMS, AND MAKING ARRESTS.

IT IS ABOUT BUILDING TRUST AND THAT REQUIRES AN ABIDING SENSE OF DUTY AND COMMITMENT TO COMMUNITY.

YET, OUR PRESIDENT SENT POORLY TRAINED FEDERAL AGENTS INTO OUR CITY WHERE THEY HAVE ARRESTED AND DETAINED AMERICAN CITIZENS AND PEOPLE WHO ASPIRE TO BE AMERICANS.

AND THEY HAVE DONE IT WITHOUT A WARRANT.

THEY HAVE RIPPED NURSING MOTHERS AWAY FROM THEIR BABIES.

THEY HAVE SENT CHILDREN, A LITTLE BOY IN A BLUE BUNNY HAT, CHILDREN TOO FAR OFF DETENTION CENTERS AND THEY HAVE KILLED AMERICAN CITIZENS IN OUR STREETS.

THEY HAVE DONE IT ALL WITH THEIR FACES MASKED FROM ACCOUNTABILITY.

EVERY MINUTE SPENT SOWING FEAR IS A MINUTE NOT SPENT INVESTIGATING MURDERS, CRIMES AGAINST CHILDREN OR THE CRIMINALS DEFRAUDING SENIORS OF THEIR LIFE SAVINGS.

OUR PRESIDENT TOLD US TONIGHT WE ARE SAFER BECAUSE THESE AGENTS ARREST MOTHERS AND DETAIN CHILDREN?

THINK ABOUT THAT.

OUR BROKEN IMMIGRATION SYSTEM IS SOMETHING TO BE FIXED, NOT AN EXCUSE FOR UNACCOUNTABLE AGENTS TO TERRORIZE OUR COMMUNITIES.

[APPLAUSE] AFTER WORKING IN LAW ENFORCEMENT, I CONTINUED MY CAREER OF SERVICE AS A CIA OFFICER, WORKING UNDERCOVER TO PROTECT THE UNITED STATES AND OUR ALLIES FROM GLOBAL THREATS, TERRORISM, NUCLEAR WEAPONS, AND THE AGGRESSION OF ADVERSARIAL NATIONS AROUND THE GLOBE.

AS THE PRESIDENT SPOKE OF HIS PERCEIVED SUCCESSES TONIGHT, HE CONTINUES TO CEDE ECONOMIC POWER AND TECHNICAL STRENGTH TO RUSSIA.

BOW DOWN TO CHINA, BOW DOWN TO A RUSSIAN DICTATOR, AND MAKING PLANS FOR WAR WITH IRAN.

OVER THE LAST YEAR THROUGH DOGE, MASS FIRINGS AND THE APPOINTMENT OF DEEPLY UNSERIOUS PEOPLE TO OUR NATION'S MOST SERIOUS POSITIONS, OUR PRESIDENT HAS ENDANGERED THE LONG, STORIED HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA BEING A FORCE FOR GOOD.

SO, I WILL ASK AGAIN.

IS THE PRESIDENT WORKING TO KEEP AMERICANS SAFE, BOTH AT HOME AND ABROAD?

WE ALL KNOW THE ANSWER IS NO.

IN HIS SPEECH TONIGHT, THE PRESIDENT DID.WHAT HE ALWAYS DOES HE LIED, SCAPEGOATED AND DISTRACTED.

AND HE OFFERED NO REAL SOLUTIONS TO OUR NATION'S CHALLENGES.

SO MANY OF WHICH HE IS ACTIVELY MADE WORSE.

HE TRIES TO DIVIDE US, HE TRIES TO ENRAGE US TO PIT US AGAINST ONE ANOTHER, NEIGHBOR AGAINST NEIGHBOR.

SOMETIMES, HE SUCCEEDS.

SO, YOU HAVE TO ASK WHO BENEFITS FROM HIS RHETORIC, HIS POLICIES, HIS ACTIONS?

THE SHORT OF LAWS HE HAS PUSHED THROUGH THIS REPUBLICAN CONGRESS.

SOMEBODY MUST BE BENEFITING.

HE'S ENRICHING HIMSELF, HIS FAMILY, HIS FRIENDS.

THE SCALE OF THE CORRUPTION IS UNPRECEDENTED.

THERE IS THE COVER-UP OF THE UPSTREAM FILES, THE CRYPTO SCAMS.

COZYING UP TO FOREIGN PRINCES FOR AIRPLANES AND BILLIONAIRES FOR BALLROOMS.

PUTTING HIS NAME AND FACE ON BUILDINGS ALL OVER OUR NATION'S CAPITAL.

THIS IS NOT WHAT OUR FOUNDERS ENVISIONED, NOT BY A LONGSHOT.

[APPLAUSE] I WILL ASK AGAIN, IS THE PRESIDENT WORKING FOR YOU?

WE ALL KNOW THE ANSWER IS NO.

HERE'S THE SPECIAL THING ABOUT AMERICA.

ON OUR 250TH ANNIVERSARY, WE KNOW BETTER THAN ANY NATION WHAT IS POSSIBLE WHEN ORDINARY CITIZENS LIKE THOSE WHO ONCE DREAMED IN THIS ROOM REJECT THE UNACCEPTABLE AND DEMAND MORE OF THEIR GOVERNMENT.

WE SEE IT IN THE DETERMINATION OF STUDENTS ORGANIZING SCHOOL WALKOUTS ALL ACROSS THE COUNTRY, WHOSE VOICES ARE BECOMING SO POWERFUL THAT THE GOVERNOR OF TEXAS SEEKS TO SILENCE THEM.

WE SEE IT IN THE BRAVERY OF AMERICANS IN MINNESOTA STANDING UP FOR THEIR COMMUNITIES.

FROM PEACEFULLY PROTESTING IN SUBZERO TEMPERATURES TO CARPOOLING CHILDREN TO SCHOOL SO THAT THEIR IMMIGRANT PARENTS ARE NOT RIPPED AWAY FROM THEM IN THE PARKING LOT.

AS A MOTHER OF THREE SCHOOL AGE DAUGHTERS, I AM INSPIRED BY THE BRAVERY, BUT I AM SICK AND IT IS NECESSARY.

AMERICANS ACROSS THE COUNTRY ARE TAKING ACTION.

THEY ARE GOING TO THE BALLOT BOX TO REJECT THIS CHAOS.

WITH THEIR VOTES, THEY ARE WRITING A NEW STORY AND MORE HOPEFUL STORY.

IN NOVEMBER, I WON MY ELECTION BY 15 POINTS.

[APPLAUSE] AND WE WON 13 NEW SEATS IN OUR STATE LEGISLATURE.

[APPLAUSE] BECAUSE VOTERS DECIDED THEY WANTED SOMETHING DIFFERENT.

OUR CAMPAIGN TURNED VOTES FROM DEMOCRATS, REPUBLICANS, INDEPENDENTS, AND EVERYONE IN BETWEEN BECAUSE THEY KNEW ASK CITIZENS, THEY COULD DEMAND MORE.

THAT THEY CAN VOTE FOR WHAT THEY BELIEVE MATTERED, AND THEY DIDN'T NEED TO BE CONSTRAINED BY A PARTY OR POLITICAL AFFILIATION.

THIS IS HAPPENING ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

NEW JERSEY ELECTED MIKEY CHERYL AS GOVERNOR IN A DOUBLE-DIGIT VICTORY.

[APPLAUSE] DEMOCRATS GOT LEGISLATIVE SEATS IN PLACES LIKE GEORGIA, IOWA, MISSISSIPPI AND TEXAS.

THE LIST GOES ON AND ON.

ORDINARY AMERICANS ARE STEPPING UP TO RUN IN THE SPIRIT OF OUR FOREFATHERS.

THEY ARE RUNNING TO DEMAND MORE AND TO DO MORE FOR THEIR NEIGHBORS AND COMMUNITIES.

I KNOW THIS STORY WELL.

I FIRST RAN FOR OFFICE IN 2018 ALONGSIDE DOZENS OF OTHER DEMOCRATS WHO DID THE SEEMINGLY IMPOSSIBLE, FLIPPING 41 SEATS IN CONGRESS.

IN MY CASE, I WAS THE FIRST DEMOCRAT ELECTED IN 50 YEARS, SWINGING OUR DISTRICT 17 POINTS.

THOSE WHO ARE STEPPING UP NOW TO RUN WILL WIN IN NOVEMBER BECAUSE AMERICANS, YOU AT HOME, KNOW YOU CAN DEMAND MORE.

AND THAT WE ARE WORKING TO LOWER COSTS.

WE ARE WORKING TO KEEP OUR COMMUNITIES AND OUR COUNTRY SAFE.

AND WE ARE WORKING FOR YOU.

[APPLAUSE] IN HIS FAREWELL ADDRESS, GEORGE WASHINGTON WARNED US ABOUT THE POSSIBILITY OF CUTTING, AMBITIOUS AND UNPRINTABLE MEN RISING TO POWER.

BUT HE ALSO ENCOURAGED US, ALL AMERICANS TO UNITE IN A COMMON CAUSE.

TO MOVE THIS NATION FORWARD.

THAT IS OUR CHARGE ONCE MORE AND THAT IS WHAT WE ARE SEEING ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

IT IS DEEPLY AMERICAN AND PATRIOTIC TO DO SO AND IT IS HOW WE ENSURE THE STATE OF OUR UNION REMAINS STRONG.

NOT JUST THIS YEAR BUT FOR THE NEXT 250 YEARS AS WELL, BECAUSE WE THE PEOPLE HAVE THE POWER TO MAKE CHANGE, THE POWER TO STAND UP FOR WHAT IS RIGHT.

THE POWER TO DEMAND MORE OF OUR NATION.

[APPLAUSE] MAY GOD BLESS THE COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA AND MAY GOD BLESS THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.

[APPLAUSE] GEOFF: VIRGINIA GOVERNOR ABIGAIL SPANBERGER DELIVERING THE DEMOCRATIC RESPONSE TO PRESIDENT TRUMP'S STATE OF THE UNION ADDRESS.

AMY, PRETTY CLEAR STRATEGY FROM DEMOCRATS TO TAKE HAS BEEN WINNING ISSUES FOR THIS PRESIDENT, IMMIGRATION AND THE ECONOMY, AND TURN IT INTO LIABILITIES.

AMY: SHE ALSO INVITED ANOTHER MESSAGE WITHIN THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY RIGHT NOW WHICH IS THIS IDEA OF HAVING A FIGHTER.

THIS IS NOT SOMEBODY WHO CAME IN SAYING WE SHOULD PROBABLY COMPROMISE, WE SHOULD WORK TOGETHER.

THIS IS SOMEONE WHO CAME IN AND SAID AS A PARTY, WE SHOULD GO AGAINST PRESIDENT TRUMP EVEN ON ISSUES LIKE IMMIGRATION.

THE PRESIDENT SPENT TIME TALKING ABOUT IMMIGRATION IN THE PAST.

OPEN BORDERS, DANGER DURING THE TIME THAT BIDEN WAS PRESIDENT.

SHE HAD FOCUSED NOW ON THE ACTIONS OF THE FEDERAL ENFORCEMENT OF THESE IMMIGRATION LAWS WHICH ARE UNPOPULAR.

AMNA: WE HEARD THE PRESIDENT MENTION A FEW FOREIGN POLICY MOMENTS.

I WANT TO TURN TO NICK SCHIFRIN WHO IS FALLING BOTH THE PRESIDENT'S ADDRESS AND WHAT WE HEARD FROM GOVERNOR SPANBERGER.

WE WERE ALL WAITING TO SEE IF THE PRESIDENT WOULD MENTION ANYTHING MORE SPECIFIC ON IRAN AND NEW POTENTIAL STRIKES.

HE ONLY MENTIONED THE PREVIOUS STRIKES.

GOVERNOR SPANBERGER SAID HE'S NOW MAKING PLANS FOR WAR WITH IRAN.

NICK: THE PRESIDENT HAS WAR PLANS IF HE WANTS TO USE THEM, AS WE'VE BEEN TALKING ABOUT OVER THE LAST FEW MONTHS.

WHAT STOOD OUT HIS THREE THINGS THE PRESIDENT LAID OUT IN HIS SPEECH.

IRAN'S NUCLEAR CAPACITY.

HE USED THE PHRASE AT THIS MOMENT, THEY ARE PURSUING THEIR SINISTER NUCLEAR AMBITIONS.

THE U.S.

HAS NOT MADE THAT EVIDENCE PUBLIC.

STEVE WITKOFF TALKED ABOUT HIGH-LEVEL ENRICHMENT.

TWO, THE PRESIDENT ACCUSED IRAN OF WORKING TO BUILD MISSILES THAT WILL SOON REACH THE UNITED STATES.

THAT IS FROM A DEFENSE INTELLIGENCE ASSESSMENT.

AND THE DEATH TOLL, 32,000 KILLED AND THOSE PROTESTS, MUCH HIGHER THAN MOST ACTIVISTS BELIEVED.

COMBINED, TRYING TO PAINT THE REGIME IN IRAN AS SOMETHING HE COULD TARGET IF HE DECIDES, AND THAT BIG MILITARY BUILDUP WILL GIVE THEM THE OPPORTUNITY.

GEOFF: WE HAVE TIME FOR SOME FINAL THOUGHTS.

FAIZ: WE LIVE IN A TIME OF CORRUPTION, I AGREE WITH THE PRESIDENT ON THAT.

HE HAS ENRICHED HIMSELF.

I THINK THE OPPORTUNITY FOR MANY DEMOCRATS, THE PEOPLE THAT RUN FOR OFFICE WHO SAY THEY WILL DO WITH THINK AND BELIEVE THEY CAN OPERATE FOR THE AMERICAN PUBLIC.

I THINK HEADING INTO THE MIDTERM ELECTIONS, I FEEL BULLISH ABOUT THE DEMOCRATS.

>> FOR THOSE KEEPING SCORE AT HOME, NO MENTION OF DOGE.

IF WE GO BACK A YEAR AGO, THAT WAS A SIGNATURE POLICY FOR THE PRESIDENT AND THE WHITE HOUSE.

THE ONLY PERSON WHO MENTIONED DOGE WAS ABIGAIL SPANBERGER IN HER RESPONSE.

THE CUTS TO A LOT OF BIG SPENDING PROGRAMS THAT ARE IMPORTANT FOR AMERICANS, THEY SEE THAT AS AN ASSET NOW.

TIFFANY: PRESIDENT TRUMP TALK ABOUT THE FRAUD THAT WAS EXPOSED IN MINNEAPOLIS.

I THOUGHT IT WAS INTERESTING THEY CHOSE SPANBERGER BECAUSE SHE WAS CAMPAIGNING AS A MODERATE AND IS DOING THE OPPOSITE.

I THINK SHE IS HAVING A HARD TIME TO DELIVER WHAT YOU SHARED TONIGHT BECAUSE SHE APPROACH FAR LEFT POLICIES THEY ARE SELLING TO THE DEMOCRATS.

THAT IS WHAT THEIR VISION FOR THE FUTURE IS.

SO, IT WILL BE INTERESTING TO SEE HOW SHE GOVERNS.

AMNA: INTERESTING TO SEE, INDEED.

THAT IS OUR COVERAGE TONIGHT OF THE STATE OF THE UNION ADDRESS AND DEMOCRATIC RESPONSE.

THANK YOU TO ALL OF OUR PANELISTS AND OUR TEAM OF CORRESPONDENTS.

I'M AMNA NAWAZ.

GEOFF: AND I'M GEOFF BENNETT.

YOU CAN FOLLOW MORE OF OUR COVERAGE ON OUR WEBSITE, PBS.ORG/NEWSHOUR, AND WE'LL BE BACK HERE TOMORROW NIGHT WITH OUR REGULARLY-SCHEDULED "NEWS HOUR."

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

HAVE A GOOD NIGHT.

>> THIS PROGRAM WAS MADE POSSIBLE BY CONTRIBUTIONS TO YOUR PBS STATION FROM VIEWERS LIKE YOU.

THANK YOU.

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