Drinking game for the first Joint Address to Congress by this or any new president: drink whenever you hear the word “inherited” or any synonym thereof.
It’s hard to describe Donald Trump’s task tonight, because Americans are watching what he accomplishes a lot more than what he says or does. He’s not the usual new president, trying to set a tone or being scrutinized for what meaning and themes can be teased out of his remarks. Even his most faithful supporters and bitterest detractors acknowledge that Trump tends to bluster in ways that don’t always tell you what he’s up to. American swing voters have long since tuned Trump out; those who voted for him anyway did so because they liked the results he delivered in his previous term. Little he can say tonight affects that. But stock market investors, Ukrainians, and European diplomats will be parsing his remarks tonight with much more diligence.
Spotted in the House press gallery looking down at the chamber: Elon Musk, arms crossed and just taking it all in. About ten feet away is Second Lady Usha Vance.
ABC’s stream stressing that federal employees who lost their jobs are in the room. Rarely has rent-seeking been so literal.
‘The Renewal of the American Dream’ is the theme of tonight’s address. Here’s what to expect from Trump’s speech, according to a White House official:
- President Trump will review the accomplishments from his extraordinarily successful first month in office, both here at home and abroad.
- President Trump will discuss what his Administration has done, and continues to do, to fix the economic mess created by the Biden Administration and end inflation for all Americans.
- President Trump will push Congress to pass more funding for deportations and to continue building the border wall.
- President Trump will outline his plans to restore peace around the world.
Greetings from inside the House chamber, where lawmakers are chit-chatting ahead of President Trump’s speech. Lots of hot pink pant suits and dresses on the Democratic side in apparent resistance against Trump. (Apparently GOP Representative Mary Miller, who is wearing a hot pink suit tonight, didn’t get the memo!)