Sarah McCammon

As soon as the president arrived in the House chamber, the tone and tenor of things was noticeably different than many previous similar speeches. Republicans gave Trump a standing ovation and chanted USA as he approached the lectern. Some Democrats skipped the event altogether, and those who were there were largely silent and seated. That is, until the speech started.

So that was early on in Trump's speech when House Speaker Mike Johnson directed the sergeant at arms to remove Congressman Al Green, a Democrat from Texas, from the chamber for interrupting Trump after Trump said he and Republicans had won a mandate to govern. This was quite a moment, wasn't it?

So that was early on in Trump's speech when House Speaker Mike Johnson directed the sergeant at arms to remove Congressman Al Green, a Democrat from Texas, from the chamber for interrupting Trump after Trump said he and Republicans had won a mandate to govern. This was quite a moment, wasn't it?

So that was early on in Trump's speech when House Speaker Mike Johnson directed the sergeant at arms to remove Congressman Al Green, a Democrat from Texas, from the chamber for interrupting Trump after Trump said he and Republicans had won a mandate to govern. This was quite a moment, wasn't it?

Yeah. And, you know, some of the Democrats were holding up these preprinted protest signs. They came ready with them that read Musk steals, protect veterans, save Medicaid. And then Trump responded to this big moment by speaking to Democrats directly.

Yeah. And, you know, some of the Democrats were holding up these preprinted protest signs. They came ready with them that read Musk steals, protect veterans, save Medicaid. And then Trump responded to this big moment by speaking to Democrats directly.

Yeah. And, you know, some of the Democrats were holding up these preprinted protest signs. They came ready with them that read Musk steals, protect veterans, save Medicaid. And then Trump responded to this big moment by speaking to Democrats directly.

So after that initial commotion, the rest of Trump's speech read kind of like a laundry list of areas where he is claiming victory so far. Some of Trump's claims, like eliminating fraudulent Social Security spending for people over the age of 150, something he's talked about before that's been debunked repeatedly.

So after that initial commotion, the rest of Trump's speech read kind of like a laundry list of areas where he is claiming victory so far. Some of Trump's claims, like eliminating fraudulent Social Security spending for people over the age of 150, something he's talked about before that's been debunked repeatedly.

So after that initial commotion, the rest of Trump's speech read kind of like a laundry list of areas where he is claiming victory so far. Some of Trump's claims, like eliminating fraudulent Social Security spending for people over the age of 150, something he's talked about before that's been debunked repeatedly.

And we should mention NPR's team of reporters fact-checked the address in real time, and we have a link to that in our show notes. You know, Asma and Sue, what else stood out to you?

And we should mention NPR's team of reporters fact-checked the address in real time, and we have a link to that in our show notes. You know, Asma and Sue, what else stood out to you?

And we should mention NPR's team of reporters fact-checked the address in real time, and we have a link to that in our show notes. You know, Asma and Sue, what else stood out to you?

OK, let's get to his speech. You know, when it comes to the economy, obviously one of Trump's big themes is tariffs. And no surprise, he talked about that tonight. What did you hear in that part of the speech?

OK, let's get to his speech. You know, when it comes to the economy, obviously one of Trump's big themes is tariffs. And no surprise, he talked about that tonight. What did you hear in that part of the speech?

OK, let's get to his speech. You know, when it comes to the economy, obviously one of Trump's big themes is tariffs. And no surprise, he talked about that tonight. What did you hear in that part of the speech?

And he kind of acknowledged that and alluded to the fact that it was tough for farmers the first time around and said, once again, it might be tough in the beginning, but I have to bear with me.

And he kind of acknowledged that and alluded to the fact that it was tough for farmers the first time around and said, once again, it might be tough in the beginning, but I have to bear with me.

And he kind of acknowledged that and alluded to the fact that it was tough for farmers the first time around and said, once again, it might be tough in the beginning, but I have to bear with me.

Well, another source of that uncertainty for many people is the way that Trump and Elon Musk, who has become part of his inner circle – are reshaping the federal government through Doge. Trump talked about that. He touted that as one of his accomplishments. What did you hear from Trump about what Doge has done so far?