Trump's Congressional speech: Egg prices, wokeness, and flag on Mars
6 Min Read
Trump's Congressional address included policy freezes, blaming Biden for an economic disaster, and a pledge to end "Wokeness."
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US President Donald Trump gestures as he addresses a joint session of Congress at the Capitol in Washington on March 4, 2025. (AP)
In the longest-ever Congressional address by a US president, Donald Trump began by declaring that "America is back."
Democrats disrupted the speech, forcing House Speaker Mike Johnson to condemn the disruptions as a "breach of decorum" and direct the sergeant at arms to remove Democratic Congressman Al Green from Texas.
Amid the charged atmosphere, Trump announced that since taking office, he has imposed an immediate freeze on federal hiring, new regulations, and foreign aid.
Trump touted his decision to terminate what he calls the "ridiculous Green New Scam" and withdraw the US from the "unfair" Paris Climate Accord, the "corrupt" World Health Organization, and the "anti-American" UN Human Rights Council.
He claims to have ended Biden’s environmental restrictions, which he argues made the country "far less safe and totally unaffordable." Highlighting another policy reversal, he declares, "Importantly, we ended the last administration’s insane electric vehicle mandate, saving our auto workers and companies from economic destruction."
Biden to blame for 'out of control' egg prices
Trump blamed former US President Joe Biden for allowing the price of eggs to "get out of control," assuring the crowd, "We’re working hard to get it back down." He emphasizes that a key priority of his administration is to "defeat inflation" by lowering energy costs.
"That’s why, on my first day in office, I declared a national energy emergency," he stated, arguing that the US has more "liquid gold" beneath its soil than any other nation.
"I’ve fully authorized the most talented team ever assembled to go and get it," he declares. "It’s called drill, baby, drill."
Trump divulged he would take "historic action" to "radically expand production of critical minerals and rare earths" in the US, claiming he established the department of government efficiency and mentioned Elon Musk, who he claimed was "working very hard."
Regarding tariffs, the US president claimed the US had been "ripped off for decades," by nearly every nation on earth, reassuring this would not continue.
He vowed that tariffs will generate trillions of dollars and create "like we have never seen before" employment, while reiterating accusations against Mexico and Canada of allowing fentanyl to enter the US "at levels never seen before" and "killing thousands" of Americans.
"We pay subsidies to Canada [and] into Mexico … We’re not going to do it any longer," he declared.
Trump announced he has imposed a 25% tariff on foreign aluminum, copper, lumber, and steel, emphasizing that these measures aren’t just about protecting American jobs but also about "protecting the soul of our country."
He then unveils plans to create a new Office of Shipbuilding in the White House, part of his administration’s broader effort to boost US shipbuilding and counter China’s dominance in the industry.
Trump vows to get 'wokeness out'
Shifting gears, Trump declares that he is "getting wokeness out of our schools and out of our military."
"We don’t want it," he says. "Wokeness is trouble. Wokeness is bad. It’s gone."
Trump revealed he issued an executive order that prohibits public schools from "indoctrinating" students with "transgender ideology."
He detailed how Congress would adopt legislation permanently prohibiting and criminalizing sex modifications on minors and signed an executive order threatening to withdraw government funds from hospitals that provide gender-affirming care to people under the age of 19.
Trump alluded to Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the secretary of health and human services, who is supported by Republicans.
"There's nobody better than Bobby," Trump declared.
Regarding Greenland, Trump declared the US would "get Greenland- one way or the other," adding that his administration would also "reclaim" the Panama Canal.
"We strongly support your right to determine your own future," he said, addressing the people of Greenland, adding, "If you choose, we welcome you into the United States of America."
"I think we’re going to get it – one way or the other, we’re going to get it … We will keep you safe. We will make you rich, and together we will take Greenland to heights like you have never thought possible before."
Golden dome missile defense for US
Trump announced that he is asking Congress to fund a "Golden Dome Missile Defense Shield" to protect the US, an initiative formerly known as the Iron Dome for America.
The president added that many nations have such a dome, naming "Israel" which has the Iron Dome, a mechanism designed to intercept short-range rockets and missiles.
Shifting to global affairs, Trump says "a lot of things are happening" in the Middle East, calling it a "rough neighborhood."
He then turns to the war in Ukraine, vowing that he is working "tirelessly" to end the "savage conflict."
"Millions of Ukrainians and Russians have been needlessly killed or wounded in this horrific and brutal conflict with no end in sight," he stated.
Trump also unveiled news of an "important" letter from Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky he received earlier Tuesday, which said Kiev is "ready to come to the negotiating table as soon as possible".
Zelensky allegedly declared that his team stands ready to work "under President Trump’s strong leadership to get a peace that lasts."
According to Trump, the letter reveals that Zelensky "really [does] value how much America has done to help Ukraine maintain its sovereignty and independence."
Trump noted that the US has been given "strong signals" from Russia that it is "ready for peace" amid serious discussions.
"Wouldn’t that be beautiful?" Trump asked. "It’s time to end the senseless war," he said, adding that 2,000 people are killed every week in the war between Ukraine and Russia.
He ended the address by claiming it was time the US took its destiny into its own hands, vowing to lead the country to create "the freest, most advanced, most dynamic and most dominant civilization ever to exist on the face of this earth."
Trump claimed America will "conquer the vast frontiers of science," and "lead humanity into space" and "plant the American flag on the planet Mars and even far beyond."
