A tense state of union in America
DECLARING he has delivered a “great American comeback”, US President Donald Trump gave a rousing State of the Union speech a short walk from where he will almost certainly be acquitted at his impeachment trial today.
Addressing a Congress that has for months been roiled by the Ukraine scandal and bitter partisan discord, the US President – who is polling at his highest ever job approval – made the case for why he should win a second term to chants of “four more years” in the chamber. But even as he spoke of unity, the nationally televised spectacle saw him reject a handshake from Democratic House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, who announced his impeachment in the same room seven weeks ago, and sat uncomfortably behind him, at times making faces as he spoke and tearing up a copy of the speech he handed her as he finished.
“This is a blue collar boom,” Mr Trump said as he touted the “roaring economy”, creation of seven million new jobs, new trade deals and rising wages.
“In just three short years, we have shattered the mentality of American decline and we have rejected the downsizing of America’s destiny. We are moving forward at a pace that was unimaginable just a short time ago, and we are never going back!”
As Mr Trump spoke on Tuesday night Washington time, he was riding higher than at any time during his presidency, with record approval levels of 49 per cent, a booming economy and backlash to the Democrat attempt to unseat him driving eyewatering fundraising to his 2020 campaign.
On the eve of his all but certain acquittal at the impeachment trial, which has bored Americans and buttressed his support, the unconventional President outlined a laundry list of achievements that ranged from criminal justice reform to the creation of a space force and his recent takedown of Iranian military leader Qasem Soleimani.
Although Mr Trump is only the second president to give a SOTU address while being impeached Mr Trump did not mention the saga.
But he did make several nods to the radical platforms of Democrat rivals, including the scrapping of private health cover and universal health care for refugees.