Trump’s First Congressional Address: Culture Wars, Trade Battles, and a GOP-Delighting Spectacle
March 4, 2025 – Washington, D.C.
“Woke” is dead. DEI is vanquished. Joe Biden was “the worst president in American history”—and, according to President Donald Trump, the reason eggs are expensive. America has been overrun by violent illegal immigrants. And after decades of being taken advantage of, the U.S. is ready to retaliate against its trading partners.
In his first speech to Congress since returning to the White House, Trump delivered a combative and unapologetically partisan address, doubling down on the cultural battles that helped him win in 2024. Unlike his 2017 post-inauguration speech, which offered occasional appeals to unity, this time he made it clear from the outset: Democrats were the enemy.
“I look at the Democrats in front of me, and I realize there is absolutely nothing I can say to make them happy or to make them stand or smile or applaud—nothing I can do,” he declared.
Economy and Trade: Blame Biden, Raise Tariffs
For those expecting a detailed plan to combat inflation, Trump offered nothing new beyond blaming Biden for high consumer prices and reaffirming his belief that increasing energy production and slashing government spending would help.
Just hours after his administration imposed tariffs on key trading partners—triggering a market plunge—Trump defended the move and vowed to expand his tariff strategy on April 2.
“We've been ripped off for decades by nearly every country on Earth, and we will not let that happen any longer,” he said.
The new tariffs, aimed at Canada, China, and Mexico, have already raised concerns about fueling inflation. Trump’s additional threat to target agricultural products could further disrupt supply chains. In his first term, he used billions in federal aid to cushion American farmers from China’s retaliatory tariffs. This time, he acknowledged the agricultural sector might face “a little bit of an adjustment period” but assured them they’d “have a lot of fun.”
The Hits: Culture Wars and Bold Foreign Policy Moves
As expected, Trump took direct aim at Democrats, calling them “radical left lunatics” and, in a bizarre comparison, likening his online critics to perpetrators of revenge porn.
“Nobody gets treated worse than I do online,” he complained. “Nobody.”
Trump also resurrected some of his more eyebrow-raising foreign policy proposals, blending his signature mix of seriousness and provocation.
- He reiterated his interest in acquiring Greenland, addressing its citizens directly: “We strongly support your right to determine your own future, and if you choose, we welcome you into the United States of America.”
- On the Panama Canal, he vowed to reclaim it, stating, “We didn’t give it to China—we gave it to Panama, and we’re taking it back.” A U.S.-backed consortium, including BlackRock, recently brokered a deal to acquire control of key canal infrastructure from a Hong Kong-based conglomerate.
Government Cuts and Elon Musk’s Role
Trump also celebrated sweeping federal spending cuts overseen by the so-called Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE)—a new entity led by Elon Musk. With Congress' Republican majority granting Musk broad authority, DOGE has slashed programs, though some cuts have been hastily reversed after realizing they targeted essential personnel, including nuclear safety staff.
The Guests: A Masterclass in Political Theater
Trump expertly used his invited guests as living rebuttals to Democratic criticisms:
- Concerned about deep cuts to scientific research and medical care? Here’s a 13-year-old cancer patient being made an honorary Secret Service agent. (Dare the Democrats not to clap.)
- Worried about veterans losing jobs due to federal downsizing? Watch as Trump surprises a young man in the audience with an acceptance letter to West Point. (Democrats sit in silence.)
And so the night went on, with Democrats often left awkwardly quiet—a dynamic that surely delighted GOP ad-makers.
Ukraine: Peace Nearing?
Trump closed with a bold claim: Peace in Ukraine was “nearly at hand.” He cited a letter from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy following their recent Oval Office dust-up and claimed he’d received “strong signals” from Russia about negotiations.
“Wouldn’t that be beautiful?” he mused.
With his first major speech back in Washington, Trump made one thing clear: He’s not interested in unity—he’s here for a fight.