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Donald Trump speaks to Congress in first presidential address – live Presidential address: Trump promises 'a great, great wall' in speech to Congress – live
(35 minutes later)
2.34am GMT
02:34
“We must create a level playing field for American companies and workers,” says Trump.
“Currently, when we ship products out of America, many other countries make us pay very high tariffs and taxes -- but when foreign companies ship their products into America, we charge them almost nothing.”
He noted that he recently met with Harley Davidson, who brought five motorcycles to the White House.
“And they wanted me to ride one and I said ‘no thank you,” said Trump, an ad lib that didn’t appear in his prepared remarks, which were released by the White House shortly after he began speaking.
2.30am GMT
02:30
While Republicans might be on their feet clapping, Democrats are not.
This reaction by @NancyPelosi is EVERYTHING #SOTU @Shareblue pic.twitter.com/nW9Qf8tSZS
Updated
at 2.31am GMT
2.30am GMT
02:30
“I have also imposed new sanctions on entities and individuals who support Iran’s ballistic missile program, and reaffirmed our unbreakable alliance with the State of Israel,” says Trump.
He then notes that he has nominated Judge Neil Gorsuch to fill the empty seat in the Supreme Court bench.
Five justices are attending this address this evening. Maureen Scalia, wife of the late Antonin Scalia, is also there, and Trump pays tribute to the conservative judge.
“He will forever be a symbol of American justice,” says Trump.
2.27am GMT
02:27
Big claps from the crowd when Trump declares: “we are also taking strong measures to protect our nation from radical Islamic terrorism.”
He notes attacks in France, Belgium and in the United States.
It is not compassionate, but reckless, to allow uncontrolled entry from places where proper vetting cannot occur. Those given the high honor of admission to the United States should support this country and love its people and its values.
We cannot allow a beachhead of terrorism to form inside America -- we cannot allow our Nation to become a sanctuary for extremists.
“That is why my Administration has been working on improved vetting procedures, and we will shortly take new steps to keep our nation safe -- and to keep out those who would do us harm,” says Trump, possibly a heads up about an updated travel ban executive order, after his last one was stopped by the courts.
2.26am GMT
02:26
Fact-checking Trump's speech
Alan Yuhas
Trump: “We’ve defended the borders of other nations while leaving our own border wide open for anyone to cross and for drugs to pour in and at a now unprecedented rate.”
Fact-check: The US’s borders are not “wide open for anyone to cross”, with sections of wall and fencing along the southern border, 21,000 Customs and Border Patrol agents, and a recent history of aggressive deportation. Barack Obama deported a record more than 2.5 million people since he took office, including a record 438,421 people in 2013. The US also has extremely strict vetting for visa applicants and refugees, forcing people to go through multiple rounds of interviews, background checks and medical screenings.
Trump: “We’ve spent trillions and trillions of dollars overseas while our infrastructure at home has so badly crumbled.”
Fact-check: Trump does not specify what spending he’s referring to – though the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq have cost an estimated $4.79tn, according to a study by Brown University’s Watson Institute for International and Public Affairs published last year. The authors wrote that the sum is “so large as to be almost incomprehensible.”
Trump is correct that US infrastructure, in general, is in dire need of repair and reconstruction. In 2013, the American Society of Civil Engineers reported that the government needs to spend roughly $1.4 trillion over the next decade, or $3.6tn by 2020, to overcome the shortfall in infrastructure funding. With intransigence in Washington DC, the last infrastructure bill to be signed was a $305bn bill by Barack Obama in 2015.
2.24am GMT
02:24
Now it turns to immigration and national security, with Trump bringing up the wall.
“By finally enforcing our immigration laws, we will raise wages, help the unemployed, save billions of dollars, and make our communities safer for everyone. We want all Americans to succeed –- but that can’t happen in an environment of lawless chaos. We must restore integrity and the rule of law to our borders.
“For that reason, we will soon begin the construction of a great, great wall along our southern border,” he says, noting that “bad ones” are being removed from the country as he speaks.
“To any in Congress who do not believe we should enforce our laws, I would ask you this question: what would you say to the American family that loses their jobs, their income, or a loved one, because America refused to uphold its laws and defend its borders?”
2.21am GMT
02:21
When Trump mentions the construction of the Keystone and Dakota Access Pipelines, cheers can be heard from the chamber. Armed authorities removed Dakota Access Pipeline protesters in a military-style takeover just last week.
“And I’ve issued a new directive that new American pipelines be made with American steel,” adds Trump, and some Republicans give a standing ovation.
2.19am GMT
02:19
“Drain the swamp” gets a shout out, with Trump declaring:
We have begun to drain the swamp of government corruption by imposing a five year ban on lobbying by executive branch officials –- and a lifetime ban on becoming lobbyists for a foreign government.
That line which gets a rowdy applause from lawmakers.
2.18am GMT
02:18
Trump touts the country’s economic progress since his inauguration.
Since my election, Ford, Fiat-Chrysler, General Motors, Sprint, Softbank, Lockheed, Intel, Walmart, and many others, have announced that they will invest billions of dollars in the United States and will create tens of thousands of new American jobs.
The stock market has gained almost three trillion dollars in value since the election on November 8th, a record. We’ve saved taxpayers hundreds of millions of dollars by bringing down the price of the fantastic new F-35 jet fighter, and will be saving billions more dollars on contracts all across our government.
We have placed a hiring freeze on non-military and non-essential federal workers.
2.18am GMT
02:18
2.16am GMT
02:16
Trump then speaks of “mistakes of recent decades” including crumbling infrastructure, neglected inner cities and a shrinking middle class, before addressing his election as a “rebellion” by citizens.
Then, in 2016, the earth shifted beneath our feet. The rebellion started as a quiet protest, spoken by families of all colors and creeds -– families who just wanted a fair shot for their children, and a fair hearing for their concerns.
But then the quiet voices became a loud chorus -- as thousands of citizens now spoke out together, from cities small and large, all across our country.
Finally, the chorus became an earthquake – and the people turned out by the tens of millions, and they were all united by one very simple, but crucial demand, that America must put its own citizens first ... because only then, can we truly MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN.
2.14am GMT
02:14
Trump notes that in nine years, the country will celebrate its 250th anniversary.
“But what will America look like as we reach our 250th year? What kind of country will we leave for our children?” he asks.
2.13am GMT
02:13
Trump begins joint address to Congress
Trump begins his speech addressing members, before noting FLOTUS, who then gets a standing ovation from Republicans.
In a perhaps surprising move, Trump begins by acknowledging Black History Month, civil rights and “the work that still must be done.”
He then notes the recent “vandalism of Jewish cemeteries, as well as last week’s shooting in Kansas city.
He notes that it “reminds us that while we may be a Nation divided on policies, we are a country that stands united in condemning hate and evil in all its forms.”
“I’m here tonight to deliver a message of unity and strength and it’s a message deeply delivered from my heart.”
2.09am GMT
02:09
Speaker Paul Ryan hits his gavel for silence.
“I have the high privilege and the distinct honor of presenting to you the president of the United States,” declares Ryan.
More cheering ensues.
2.07am GMT
02:07
The cheering continues!
Trump approaches the podium and shakes hands with Paul Ryan and Mike Pence.
2.07am GMT
02:07
Rosie O’Donnell protests Trump before speech
David Smith
Actor Rosie O’Donnell unleashed an angry tirade against Donald Trump outside the White House on Tuesday, branding her old foe a liar and a bully.
“This is not Russia,” she shouted to more than a hundred rain soaked protesters on Tuesday night. “To Donald Trump and his pathetic band of white privileged criminal businessman, I would like to say to him: Nyet, sir! Nyet! Nyet! Nyet!”
O’Donnell went on furiously: “No we won’t, we’ve seen what you’ve done, sir. We have seen your connections with Russia. The game is over. The internet rules. All media is universal. The truth matters even if our major media companies will not call him a liar. We will!”
She then led the crowd in chants of: “He lies! He lies! He lies!”
The 54-year-old performer added: “And it’s about time they all started saying that instead of, ‘It appears as if he hasn’t been speaking the truth.’ Cut it down to the lowest common denominator like he does.”
O’Donnell and Trump have a feud dating back seven years. When Trump was asked at a 2015 Republican primary debate about his use of language like “fat pigs,” “dogs,” “slobs” and “disgusting animals” to describe some women, he replied: “Only Rosie O’Donnell.”
On Tuesday she parodied Trump’s voice - “it’s a bigly good idea” - and then referred to the US navy Seal killed in a recent raid in Yemen. “Well, tell that to Ryan Owens’ father, sir. How dare you, Donald Trump? This is America, it is not yours, it is not corporately owned. It is of the people, by the people and for the people. And we the people will not stand for it.
“He has degraded and bullied people his entire career. The president of the United States has been accused of rape many, many times. Report that. That’s the fact Jack! That’s how we’re going to go from now on, down and dirty like Donald Trump.” O’Donnell was repeating unsubstantiated rape allegations against Trump. Multiple women have accused Trump of sexual assault and misconduct, including groping, but a lawsuit filed by a woman accusing him of rape was withdrawn twice, and Trump’s ex-wife Ivana Trump recanted her statement that he had raped her while they were married.
The “resistance” event, ahead of Trump’s first speech to Congress, heard speeches from groups representing civil liberties, military veterans, Muslims and nurses. People held umbrellas in one hand and placards in the other, with slogans including, “He lies”, “Investigate Trump”, “Read the constitution” and “We don’t love Trump’s hate”.
Will Fischer, a marine and member of VoteVets, an organisation representing more than half a million military veterans across America, called on Congress to vote on getting information from the Department of Justice on the president’s ties to Russia. “I’m a marine, I’m a combat veteran and I want to see Donald Trump investigated,” he said.
This prompted chants of “Lock him up! Lock him up!” - an inversion of the “Lock her up!” shouts about Hillary Clinton heard at Trump’s campaign rallies.
Fischer added: “We want to know the truth. Did Donald Trump break the law? Did Donald Trump violate the constitution? Did Donald Trump put our national security at risk?”
Rabbi Jason Kimelman-Block, director of Bend the Arc Jewish Action, told the gathering that his child’s school had just received a bomb threat. “The Jewish community is reeling right now... Mr President, fire Steve Bannon!”
Larry Cohen of Our Revolution said: “We don’t take the word ‘resistance’ lightly. We know what it means. It means when they come for an immigrant I’ll stand there and they’ll have to take me first... What we will do, Donald Trump, as you attack, we will stand up and fight back.”
2.05am GMT
02:05
To the annoucement of “Mr Speaker, the president of the United States,” Trump enters the chamber.
He’s wearing a navy and white striped tie. He shakes hands with members on both sides of the aisle and is smiling and pointing to the crowd.
1.59am GMT1.59am GMT
01:5901:59
First Lady Melania Trump just entered the chamber - dressed in a sparkling black outfit - followed afterwards by the cabinet.First Lady Melania Trump just entered the chamber - dressed in a sparkling black outfit - followed afterwards by the cabinet.
1.54am GMT1.54am GMT
01:5401:54
Ben JacobsBen Jacobs
In excerpts just released, Donald Trump speaks in broad terms about legislative goals like tax reform and Obamacare without engaging in specifics.In excerpts just released, Donald Trump speaks in broad terms about legislative goals like tax reform and Obamacare without engaging in specifics.
He touts “my economic team is developing historic tax reform that will reduce the tax rate on our companies so they can compete and thrive anywhere and with anyone” without details on what this would involve and how it would be paid for.He touts “my economic team is developing historic tax reform that will reduce the tax rate on our companies so they can compete and thrive anywhere and with anyone” without details on what this would involve and how it would be paid for.
Trump also calls on Congress “to repeal and replace Obamacare, with reforms that expand choice, increase access, lower costs, and at the same time, provide better healthcare.”Trump also calls on Congress “to repeal and replace Obamacare, with reforms that expand choice, increase access, lower costs, and at the same time, provide better healthcare.”
He gives no details about how to accomplish this gargantuan task save that “the way to make health insurance available to everyone is to lower the cost of health insurance, and that is what we will do.”He gives no details about how to accomplish this gargantuan task save that “the way to make health insurance available to everyone is to lower the cost of health insurance, and that is what we will do.”
The president who has been known for sounding dark tones in his speeches, most notably his invocation of “American carnage” in his inaugural address, struck more optimistic notes in the excerpts released tonight.The president who has been known for sounding dark tones in his speeches, most notably his invocation of “American carnage” in his inaugural address, struck more optimistic notes in the excerpts released tonight.
“America will be empowered by our aspirations – not burdened by our fears,” Trump is expected to proclaim.“America will be empowered by our aspirations – not burdened by our fears,” Trump is expected to proclaim.
However, the excerpts give only an incomplete picture of the president’s full remarks. Trump is scheduled to speak for approximately 80 minutes and the president has long made a habit of ad libbing and riffing off of prepared statements.However, the excerpts give only an incomplete picture of the president’s full remarks. Trump is scheduled to speak for approximately 80 minutes and the president has long made a habit of ad libbing and riffing off of prepared statements.
1.48am GMT
01:48
As Trump heads to the Capitol, TV cameras catch him rehearsing his speech:
Check this out. Trump practicing his address in the back of the limo. pic.twitter.com/D7EWrlgZlo
1.46am GMT
01:46
'America will be empowered by our aspirations': White House releases speech excerpts
This just in from the White House, excerpts of tonight’s speech:
Each American generation passes the torch of truth, liberty and justice – in an unbroken chain all the way down to the present.
And we’ve spent trillions of dollars overseas, while our infrastructure at home has so badly crumbled.
We have begun to drain the swamp of government corruption by imposing a 5-year ban on lobbying by Executive Branch Officials – and a lifetime ban on becoming lobbyists for a foreign government.
By finally enforcing our immigration laws, we will raise wages, help the unemployed, save billions of dollars, and make our communities safer for everyone.
As promised, I directed the Department of Defense to develop a plan to demolish and destroy ISIS – a network of lawless savages that have slaughtered Muslims and Christians, and men, women, and children of all faiths and beliefs.
We will work with our allies, including our friends and allies in the Muslim World, to extinguish this vile enemy from our planet.
But to accomplish our goals at home and abroad, we must restart the engine of the American economy – making it easier for companies to do business in the United States, and much harder for companies to leave.
My economic team is developing historic tax reform that will reduce the tax rate on our companies so they can compete and thrive anywhere and with anyone.
At the same time, we will provide massive tax relief for the middle class.
Tonight, I am also calling on this Congress to repeal and replace Obamacare, with reforms that expand choice, increase access, lower costs, and at the same time, provide better Healthcare.
Mandating every American to buy government-approved health insurance was never the right solution for America.
The way to make health insurance available to everyone is to lower the cost of health insurance, and that is what we will do.
Obamacare is collapsing – and we must act decisively to protect all Americans. Action is not a choice – it is a necessity.
So I am calling on all Democrats and Republicans in Congress to work with us to save Americans from this imploding Obamacare disaster.
My administration wants to work with members in both parties to make childcare accessible and affordable, to help ensure new parents have paid family leave, to invest in women’s health, and to promote clean air and clear water, and to rebuild our military and our infrastructure.
True love for our people requires us to find common ground, to advance the common good, and to cooperate on behalf of every American child who deserves a brighter future.
Today is Rare Disease Day, and joining us in the gallery is a Rare Disease Survivor, Megan Crowley. Megan was diagnosed with Pompe Disease, a rare and serious illness when she was 15 months old. She was not expected to live past 5.
On receiving this news, Megan’s dad, John, fought with everything he had to save the life of his precious child. He founded a company to look for a cure, and helped develop the drug that saved Megan’s life. Today she is 20 years old—and a sophomore at Notre Dame. Megan’s story is about the unbounded power of a father’s love for a daughter.
Finally, to keep America safe we must provide the men and women of the United States Military with the tools they need to prevent war and – if they must – TO FIGHT AND TO WIN.
I am sending Congress a budget that rebuilds the military, eliminates the defense sequester, and calls for one of the largest increases in national defense spending in American history.
My budget will also increase funding for our veterans. Our Veterans have delivered for this nation – and now we must deliver for them.
The challenges we face as a nation are great.
But our people are even greater.
And none are greater or braver than those who fight for America in uniform.
But we know that America is better off, when there is less conflict -- not more.
We must learn from the mistakes of the past – we have seen the war and destruction that have raged across our world.
The only long-term solution for these humanitarian disasters is to create the conditions where displaced persons can safely return home and begin the long process of rebuilding.
America is willing to find new friends, and to forge new partnerships, where shared interests align.
Think of the marvels we can achieve if we simply set free the dreams of our people.
Cures to illnesses that have always plagued us are not too much to hope.
American footprints on distant worlds are not too big a dream.
Millions lifted from welfare to work is not too much to expect.
And streets where mothers are safe from fear—schools where children learn in peace—and jobs where Americans prosper and grow—are not too much to ask.
When we have all of this, we will have made America greater than ever before.
The time for small thinking is over.
The time for trivial fights is behind us.
We just need the courage to share the dreams that fill our hearts.
The bravery to express the hopes that stir our souls.
And the confidence to turn those hopes and dreams to action.
From now on, America will be empowered by our aspirations – not burdened by our fears.
1.41am GMT
01:41
Guardian’s own Ben Jacobs is tweeting live updates from within the chamber.
Spotted: Ben Carson and Rick Perry in the visitor's gallery
A lot of Democratic women are wearing white tonight. However, John Conyers seems to be the only member in brown
Loud cheers from the Republican half of the chamber as Mike Pence takes his place on the dais
1.38am GMT
01:38
Veep Mike Pence enters the chamber and gives a big bear hug to Speaker Paul Ryan.
1.37am GMT
01:37
Daughter Ivanka Trump and her advisor husband just left the White House, but not before one of her customary fashion tweets.
Getting ready to leave The White House with @realdonaldtrump as he prepares to address Congress #JointSession pic.twitter.com/vlR1wPHGkK
1.31am GMT
01:31
More random lines of excerpts from Trump’s joint address to Congress tonight, from Fox News.
On Obamacare:
Tonight I’m also calling on this Congress to repeal and replace Obamacare with reforms that expand choice, increase access, lower costs and at the same time provide better health care.
On tax reform:
...historic tax reform that will reduce the tax rate on our companies so they can compete and thrive anywhere and with anyone...
On immigration:
By finally enforcing our immigration laws, we will raise wages, help the unemployed, save billions of dollars and make our communities safer for everyone.
On national security:
[We] cannot allow a beachhead of terrorism to form inside of America. We cannot allow our nation to become a sanctuary for extremists.
On education:
Education is the civil rights issue of our time.
The two key topics to watch for this evening are Obamacare - and exactly how Trump plans to repeal the policy and what it means for Medicaid - and tax reform, particularly the issue of a border adjustability tax.
1.24am GMT
01:24
Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders laughed when asked about the excerpt from Trump’s speech which declares “the time for trivial fights is behind us”.
This is a man who has been attacking Muslims, he has been attacking Latinos, he has been attacking the media, he has been attacking judges who ruled against him and now he has concluded the time for trivial fights is behind us? Well, I hope he’s right.
1.19am GMT
01:19
Excerpts of Trump speech released
A senior administration official released some intriguing excerpts of Trump’s speech this evening to NBC reporter Kristen Welker.
Excerpts from Trump's address to Congress, via senior administration official to @kwelkernbc pic.twitter.com/ISA9rmUTS1
“We just need the courage to share the dreams that fill our hearts” is pretty clunky inspiration, but the first two excerpts do focus on the “optimism” that the Trump administration is promising in this speech.
The official said Trump worked on the speech until 6:15, and that it’s a “Trump original”, according to tweets from NBC reporter Kristin Donnelly.
1.00am GMT
01:00
Democrat Eliot Engel, a New Yorker, usually sits on the aisle and shakes the president’s hand after their Congress address, a tradition he’s carried on for 29 years.
But tonight he won’t, as a protest against Trump.
“Unfortunately, since Jan. 20, the new administration has shown no interest in working with the Congress on both sides to tackle problems, including Russia’s unlawful interference in last year’s election,” said Engel.
“That’s why I’ve decided not to stand on the aisle of the House chamber to shake the president’s hand during this joint session of Congress, as I have done in the past through Democratic and Republican administrations alike.”
He spoke on NBC today about his decision:
A 29 year tradition ends tonight: "I cant sit idly by and pretend that everything is hunky-dory" https://t.co/WN1DNnFn9X
Fellow aisle fan Sheila Jackson Lee, a Democrat from Texas, also won’t stake out her usual aisle seat in advance and instead will just sit in “any available seat when she arrives,” according to her chief of staff.
Maxine Waters, a Democrat from California, won’t attend the address in protest.
12.38am GMT
00:38
Tonight Donald Trump will address Congress for the first time since taking office, outlining his vision for the country. His dizzying 40 days in office have included a controversial travel ban squashed by the courts, constant squabbling with the media and diplomatic tussles with traditional allies.
The speech, which kicks off at 9pm EST, is like a mini state of the union address and will go for over an hour. We’ll be liveblogging the whole affair here.
Like any Trump speech, it’ll likely include a wide variety of topics – immigration, healthcare, the military and taxes – and the executive orders signed today about rolling back environmental protections and encouraging women in Stem (science, technology, engineering and math) careers.
In a contrast to Trump’s gloomy inauguration day “American carnage” speech, the mood this evening is expected to be lighter.
“My speech will be a message of optimism, hope, and love for the greatest country in history. I will lay out our agenda for a stronger, freer, and more prosperous America,” Trump said in an email to supporters this afternoon, calling on donations for his re-election.
But while the administration is touting it as optimistic, advisor Steve Bannon, seen as Trump’s most influential advisor, spoke this week at CPAC about the three “verticals” the Trump administration will focus on, and it’s a less positive affair: national security and sovereignty, economic nationalism, and “deconstruction of the administrative state”.
Trump is addressing lawmakers, and therefore may focus on more policy than a normal Trump chat, but he noted in the donation email that his speech tonight will be aimed at the masses:
Tonight at 9pm EST I’m going to speak before Congress for the first time. But more importantly, I will be speaking to you – the American people.
In protest of Trump, female Democrats donned white for the occasion, a nod to the white-frocked suffragette movement. (Remember, Hillary Clinton wore a white suit to accept her nomination at the DNC last June as a tribute to the Suffragettes.)
Keep your eye out tonight as Democratic #WomenWearWhite in support of women’s rights during the #JointSession! pic.twitter.com/4l4TUc79RQ
suffragette white for the #JointSession via @RepGraceMeng pic.twitter.com/HNUcwOQsXw
Anti-Trump protesters, including TV personality Rosie O’Donnell, are marching on the US Capitol in advance of the speech.
It’ll be a busy evening, stay with us!
Updated
at 1.01am GMT