Trump’s first address to Congress: Key points and reactions
U.S. President Donald Trump delivered his first address to Congress since returning to the White House, marking 44 days into his new term.
The speech, which set a record as the longest-ever address by a U.S. president to Congress, covered topics including support for Ukraine, border security, and a new economic initiative.
Message to Ukraine: Call for peace negotiations
Trump stated that he had received an important letter from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, in which Zelensky expressed his readiness to resume negotiations to end the conflict with Russia, according to the BBC.
"Today, I received an important letter from Ukrainian President Zelensky. In it, he writes: 'Ukraine stands ready to return to the negotiating table as soon as possible to achieve lasting peace. No one wants peace more than the Ukrainian people,’" Trump said.
The White House leader added that Zelensky had expressed his readiness to sign an agreement on mineral resource exploitation "at any moment."
Referring to the war in Ukraine, Trump reaffirmed that the U.S. has spent vast sums supporting the country but criticized Europe, arguing that it has spent more on importing oil and gas from Russia than on defending Ukraine.
His remarks sparked strong reactions among Democrats, prompting some members of Congress to walk out in protest.
Economic plan and the ‘Gold Card’ initiative
Beyond foreign policy, Trump also announced a new economic plan and pledged to balance the federal budget – a goal that has not been achieved in the past 24 years.
“We have developed in detail what we call the ‘Gold Card’ – which will be available for sale very, very soon – for $5 million. While we eliminate criminals, traffickers, and child predators… we will bring in brilliant people, hard workers, and job creators.”
Trump claimed that this initiative would help reduce the national debt and attract valuable contributors to the economy.
Democratic protests
Trump's speech was interrupted by protests from Democrats, who heckled him at one point, prompting Mike Johnson, the Speaker of the House, to intervene and restore order.
When Democratic Congressman Al Green refused to take his seat, Johnson called for his removal from the chamber.
This was Trump’s first official address to Congress since his return to the White House, an event that took place 44 days into his new term. In 2017, his first speech to Congress lasted exactly one hour, but this one set a new record, becoming the longest presidential address in U.S. history.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
