President Donald Trump Congress address recap: ‘Renewal of the American dream’ theme of Republican’s speech
US President Donald Trump will shortly address Congress after upending US foreign policy, igniting a trade war with close allies, slashing the federal workforce and stretching the limits of presidential power during a dizzying six weeks in office.
The speech, his first to Congress since taking office on January 20, takes place after Mr Trump’s sweeping new tariffs against Mexico, Canada and China drove US markets sharply downward for the second straight day.
Key Events
President Donald Trump arrives
US President Donald Trump is approaching the podium to address the joint Congress in the House of Representatives chambers.
Mr Trump shook hands with those along the walkway as members clambered to share a moment with the president.
At one point, it appeared that a hat was thrown at the president but the item did not hit him.
Designated survivor selected, Collins sits out of Trump’s address
A tradition that first started during the Cold War is continuing during Tuesday’s address.
Veterans Affairs Secretary Doug Collins has been selected as the designated survivor.
The designated survivor is chosen by the president and stays away from the House of Representatives in case of a catastrophic incident in the chambers.
If a catastrophic event was to occur, the designated survivor could become President of the United States.
Melania Trump enters to applause as lawmakers wait for president
US First Lady Melania Trump has arrived at the House of Representatives chambers ahead of President Donald Trump’s cabinet.
The crowd applauded as Mrs Trump arrived wearing all grey.
Trump just minutes away
President Donald Trump is reportedly in the building.
Lawmakers and Supreme Court justices have taken their seats in the packed House of Representatives chamber.
Melania Trump is set to arrive ahead of Mr Trump before he speaks to the room.
When is Trump’s Congress address?
President Donald Trump is set to appear at the joint Congress meeting at 1.10pm AEDT (10.10am AWST).
His speech will be covered live here on The Nightly.
Trump likely to address tariffs and cost of living as concern grows, markets fall
President Donald Trump’s 25 per cent tariffs on Mexico and Canada, two of the country’s closest allies, and an additional 10 per cent on Chinese imports has deepened investor concerns about the economy.
The Nasdaq Composite is down more than 9 per cent from its record closing high on December 16.
Just one in three Americans approve of Mr Trump’s handling of the cost of living, according to the Reuters/Ipsos poll, a potential danger sign with economists warning that his tariffs could increase inflation.
Where Trump’s Congress address will take place
President Donald Trump will speak in the House of Representatives where lawmakers huddled in fear for their lives a little over four years ago while a mob of Mr Trump’s supporters ransacked the Capitol in an unsuccessful effort to overturn former President Joe Biden’s 2020 victory.
Trump to address Ukraine-Russia war
A former TV showman with a flair for the dramatic, President Donald Trump at one point appeared to be preparing for a surprise announcement: the signing of a rare minerals deal between the US and Ukraine that the president has made the cornerstone of his proposed peace plan to end the Ukraine-Russia conflict.
Sources told Reuters Mr Trump told advisers early in the day that he wants to announce the deal in his speech, though they cautioned nothing has been signed yet and the situation could change.
Mr Trump paused all military aid to the beleaguered US ally late on Monday, following a disastrous Oval Office meeting in which Trump angrily upbraided Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky in front of TV cameras.
While Mr Trump has appeared to fault Ukraine for starting the war, a new Reuters/Ipsos poll found 70 per cent of Americans - including two-thirds of Republicans - say Russia was more to blame.
