Overview
- In a roughly 1 hour 48 minute address, the president pressed his case that the economy and national security have turned around and urged voters to keep Republicans in power ahead of the midterms.
- He goaded Democrats over immigration and cultural issues, declaring “you should be ashamed of yourself” and “these people are crazy,” as many members boycotted, others heckled, and Rep. Al Green was escorted out for a protest sign.
- Policy pitches included access to federal-style retirement accounts with a government match up to $1,000 for workers without employer plans, a ratepayer protection pledge requiring AI data centers to cover their own power needs, a congressional stock-trading ban, and voting restrictions such as the SAVE Act.
- Addressing the high court’s tariff ruling, he called the decision “unfortunate,” said congressional action “will not be necessary,” and vowed to use other authorities to maintain import taxes.
- On foreign policy, he warned Iran he would never allow it to obtain a nuclear weapon, voiced a preference for diplomacy as U.S. forces build up in the region, and used guest honors—including the U.S. men’s hockey team and military awardees—to punctuate his message.