Speaker tears up Trump speech
WASHINGTON: As US President Donald Trump was finishing his State of the Union address to Congress, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, who was behind him, stood up and ripped up a copy of his speech, in which the president had sought to move beyond the impeachment trial and make a case for his re-election.
The speech was a “manifesto of mistruths”, Pelosi told reporters when asked later why she tore it up. She did not say more but Trump might have irked her to it when he ignored her when she reached out for a handshake ahead of his speech. Trump then handed her and Vice President Mike Pence, who co-chaired the joint address, folders containing copies of his prepared speech.
“Ladies and gentlemen, the president of the United States,” she announced the president, drily, dispensing with the more flowery phrases of the traditional version: “Members of Congress, I have the high privilege and distinct honour of presenting to you the president of the United States.”
The t wo leaders had exchanged harsh words through tweets and public remarks, specially after Pelosi announced an impeachment inquiry against him last September. That led to Trump’s impeachment in December. The Trump-pelosi exchange will remain likely the most enduring impression of the 2020 State of the Union address.
Touted as a “Great American Comeback” address, Trump’s speech of over 75 minutes was tailored to highlight the achievements of his administration with an eye on the re-election bid in November.
One of the longer parts of the speech was devoted to the economy. “I am thrilled to report ... that our economy is the best it has ever been,” he said. He went on to cite job numbers, dipping unemployment among minorities, women and veterans. He reiterated his intention to reform the immigration system and shift it from family-based to one based on merit. Indians have been beneficiaries of both systems. Trump spoke about his “groundbreaking” peace plan for West Asia and of his intention to “finally” end the war in Afghanistan.