Trump gave his State of the Union address as the “Blue Blood” Moon rose, but the promises made to the 99% would be “eclipsed.”
6
"New American ..."--reminds one of the Rumsfeld/Cheney document on "The New American Century" which hoped that a terrible attack on the US would bring us all together...just before 9/11. The other day, Trump was said to muse on how another 9/11 would bring Americans together...Just saying.
10
Trumps biggest accomplishment was to discipline himself and read from the teleprompter a speech that was written for him
15
How anyone can give this bumbling fool any credibility is beyond me. We all know the GOP knows he just a rubber stamp for their idiotic policies. But it will boomerang on them.....Americans wake up!!!!!
12
And Melania, attending SOTU via her own motorcade, not riding with her man, the President. Wearing an expensive, I presume, off white pant suit and a scowl. I feel sorry for her and hope that she has a great divorce attorney waiting in the wings. She has been a victim of this nonsense. Her book will be delish, but I hope her ghost writer doesn't plagiarize one thin word.
9
I love the fact that Kennedy didn't mention president pornstar's name once during the Democrat's rebutal.
8
You could hardly see stephen miller's hand up don trump's Hi-How-Are-Ya'.
6
Why are all the “pundits” who keep asking why Nunes and Ryan are going full force into obstruction of justice not seeing the obvious answer: They have been paid off. Pure and simple. Money talks. That’s their entire motive.
9
His call for a bipartisan bill on immigration reform after he first promised in front of television cameras to sign no matter what bipartisan compromise bill into law that Congress would pass, and then, when Congress did exactly that (including $20 billion for a wall), flip-flopped 100% to now rejected the same bill, EVEN when it meant shutting down the government ... is absolutely grotesque.
This man doesn't have an ounce of honesty or integrity in his entire, obese body.
What a shame.
11
"The color of the new civil rights revolution is green." - Jack Kemp
That's why the Democrats are sour, because a rising tide lifts all the boats. What will the poor do when they aren't poor anymore? Will they continue to vote Democratic?
2
I am still confounded that that this fraud and ignoramus is President of the USA. Notice his body language: how he strutted as if her were an alpha rooster; how he tossed his empty head and lifted his eyes skyward as if he were Solomon deciding the right solution to problems; how he lectured the audience and maneuvered his little hands as if her were Socrates and the President of Harvard (not Trump) University, all knowing and prescient; how he controlled his facial expressions and pursed his mouth as if he were a meditating saint; how unctuous a tone he assumed as if he were all wise and compassionate; how he sometimes closed his eyes and held his open mouth in a perfect oval as if he were looking deep into his very soul; how he sometimes pulled himself back from the podium as if he were above the fray; and so on. Many know he is risible but many others lap this up as inspiring, thoughtful and presidential. I think, My Lord, when will this circus end?
11
It seems that Congressional Democrats are anxious to paint themselves as part of the “Resistance”. They should realize that they only look surly and unpatriotic when they refuse to stand, as genuine heroes are presented to the Congress by President Trump. Who could not be moved by the sight of that North Korean defector thrusting his crutches in the air, after having lost an arm and a leg in his flight from North Korea?
1
Usually SOTU addresses are either political indictments of the way America is or promises of what the Prez is going to give everyone in exchange for their votes.
Our President Trump actually & primarily gave a report on how the country is doing. We can't HAVE that, can we?!?!?!?!
Actually this is the Democrats' chance to rebuild and replace leaders. What if the D's actually decided to become the Party they were in the early sixties? Then there'd be a REAL competition with the GOP instead of this paralysis the Dems are stuck in now.
2
I usually steer clear from media coverage of Trump--I wish to know only the basics of the latest remarks he has made.
Reading this, I felt an overwhelming sense of futility. We can only analyze Trump's words so much. Analysis is only possible if words hold a deeper meaning. I'm afraid in most cases, Trump's words are just fluff.
5
Trump's attempts at bipartisan solutions have so far looked like a hostage-taker demanding a ransom. First, CHIP was being held hostage. Then it was DACA. Trump and the Republicans put these important and popular programs on the chopping block, then tell the Democrats "don't make us kill them."
1
Oh, come on. These are not Trump's words. Even if they were, it couldn't matter less because he is not a man of his word. Nothing in this speech changes his nature - abysmally ignorant, unintelligent and vile.
12
TRUMP Has shown himself time and again to be a filthy liar. He is incapable of keeping his word for many reasons, not the last of which is severe impairment of the language, memory and executive brain functions. What he reads from the teleprompter bears no resemblance to what he is capable of producing, which is 140 character tweets. That is the extent of his ability to produce written communications. The Democrats and those who support them dressed in black to express unity and to signify that they grieve for the peril in which Trump places our democracy. Now if he's talking about unity in the sense of singularity, suggesting only one term, that's another story. But he's not.
5
I give Trump credit for his excellent choice of including guests in the speech.
2
Can we please send Trump down to the deepest dug coal mine for a day of work, one that’s never cleaned up Obama-era OSHA/ Mine Safety violations, then work a strip mine for a week, then as a “picker” who separates coal from non-coal by hand, all the time sharing the workers’ homes, drinking their polluted water, then argue about “clean coal” and why tax foreign-made solar and “ugly” ridge-top and water-based windmill farms?
8
This is the President that America need for a very long time. Mr. Trump is a real man who genuinely love our country and will do whatever it takes to make it great. He is making real progress right now, totally different from lazy Obama who only good at giving speeches but did not do anything except creating Obamacare which is the greatest disaster of American lives in modern times.
3
Didn't buy one thing from this charlatan. Here is a man who has done everything from the inception of his campaign to divide Americans and now he's talking unity? I don't trust him one bit. He'll have another tune next week for sure.
9
New York Times: please tell us the Nielsen or other reliable source tune-in share for this speech. I simply could not bring myself to watch it, as I can not bear the sound of his voice and when I look at him, I only see the lies. I am just curious as to how many in our country right now are even bothering to listen.
5
If people want to help poor foreigners they are welcome to send their money to whomever they want.
Please stop volunteering my resources to assuage your guilt. I do not want to exploit poor foreigners- I am willing to pay extra if it means citizens are working and foreigners are not being abused.
I do not feel guilty that my family has a decent life. I am not going to sell-out my own economic future to help 6.6 billion people.
This country belongs to citizens. If you feel bad for people do something about it- on your own and with your own resources. Flooding the country with criminals and then giving them citizenship is insane. This is not about helping people. This has always been about power and money. One political party views all Americans as racial voting blocks and has decided one race has to lose power.
1
Since I need to read and occasionally watch PBS, I wish Trump were not so absolutely stupid LOOKING.
10
This is not a "new" American moment. The American history is replete with traitors. Nunes and the Trump administration is a shining example.
9
Amazing how the only words that sound good in his speech are attributed to his opponent Hillary. Or at least he should have given her credit for them. But isn't that the way this administration rolls?!
4
I couldn't watch the Great Impersonator because the whole thing is a travesty foisted upon the backs of hardworking, honest people by these criminal plutocrats, the Koch brothers. There will be no unity in the country unless this demon resigns or is impeached. We will not back down, we will not normalize, we will work our behinds off for the 2018 elections so we can return the United States to its former stature as a Democratic ideal. If he didn't get it, hopefully the GOP will. There is an undeclared Civil War in the United States. It won't be over until all of the Great Impersonator's judicial picks, including Gorsuch, are reversed because they were put in place by an enemy of the state. Pollution, dangerous workplaces, the literal killing of people denied healthcare under these guys...if you didn't think it was on, let me tell you: it's on. An educated citizenry will not stand for the reversal of all its hard-fought fortunes...equal rights for all regardless of race, color, creed, sexual preference, gender. It's a fight people, don't back down, we..the United States, will win. Believe!
8
I can't swallow what this man says. He is so fake, so false that not even 10 seconds I could bear to hear..
8
Their idea of "bipartisan" is: "here's what we want. Get on board with it and it's 'bipartisan' otherwise it's our way or the highway."
8
This might be somewhat off-topic, but one thing I'd like to see changed in state of the union addresses (for both parties) is to cease the use of ordinary citizens as "poster children" expressly for the purpose of manipulating the public's emotions toward whatever issue or point they're trying to make. It is the worst kind of political tokenism there is and these honorable citizens seem to not appreciate that they're being used. It may be acceptable during political campaigns, but I don't want to see it in Congress. It's disgusting, and particularly sleazy when Trump does it.
12
Divisive beyond belief. All state of the union speeches have a certain built in momentary good vibe because people want to see a good leader. Trump GOP thoroughly deflated that on immigration, civil liberties, freedom and missing every point. They want to muscle through the blackmail DACA deal enmeshed with the weight of a litany if bad things.
5
I watched, and listened carefully, however, I cannot believe anything that he says!
6
What’s most telling to me is that President Trump’s approval rating in Washington DC is only 6%
If that’s not compelling evidence that President Trump is actually representing the people who elected him, I don’t know what is
9
This is an overvalued President just like the stock market his administration has created is overvalued. Both are headed for a tumble.
7
I watched what I thought was a good speech. He reviewed what his administration did for the last 11 months and what he plans on doing in the next 3 to 7 years.
There can't be unity, with an unstable person, who is a narcissist, and if half or more of Congress is unwilling to accept, and act on that truth, it is going to be a treacherous road ahead!
8
it's a small thing, but Trump's penchant for clapping along with others is annoying. and very reminiscent of the so-called "little rocket man"
10
Trump makes an appeal for unity while he is clueless about its true meaning. For Trump fans everywhere, last night was just another episode of the sad reality TV show that has become our government. I am concluding, hopefully, once and for all that Trump is his base and his base is Trump: both mean spirited, selfish, combative and ignorant. Heaven help our Nation.
7
Yes, unity that is defined by devotion to Mr. Trump as the supreme leader.
3
Did anyone hear the words “gun control” or any reference to recent mass killings or the rash of school shootings during Trump’s speech? Donald Trump likes to blame the violene on anyone and everything while not once acknowledging availability of firearms and ammunition that results in tens of thousands of senseless killings and injuries.I find it impossible to believe that the authors of our Constitution could never have imagined the killing power of trodays arms and how easily accessible they are. Since the NRA and its partner Congress is fixed on the literal interpretation of the “right to bear arms” the quid pro quo is that only single shot pistols and muskets ought to be legal in 2018. The U.S. invaded Iraq on the pretense of weapons of mass destruction. Isn’t it ironic that there is actually an abundant supply of WMDs right here within our own border and for sale.
7
Since this administration lies and changes its mind a lot it seems futile to look to the content of the state of the union speech for any clear direction of where the country is headed. It was all window dressing, and self praise. I am mote concerned about the Republican congress's purposes. As far as I can tell the GOP has only one agenda: to reduce federal taxes mostly for the benefit of the very rich. This has the long term effect of bankrupting the government and gutting social programs. There also seems to be an effort to deconstruct whole cabinet and bureau structures across government. I think only a political solution is possible and hope people wake up ion the mid term elections and sweep the republicans out of power so that government can work for the 99 percent of us
3
Trump's body language said it all: the smirk, the deep breathing through the nose, clapping in response to his own words, the hand signal for people to stand, looking down his nose at the crowd and the handshakes and claps on the back. How many actually believed what they heard, which was a speech written by his staff meant to make him look good, nothing more.
26
If I were one of the "Dreamers" covered in the Trump pool. but not in the Obama pool, I would be asking the Dems why they were not clapping.
3
What a hypocrite,and what gall Trump has!
Trump is starting all the fights and then expects reconciliation from the victims. It's like the story of the boy who killed his parents, who then asks the court for leniency since he is now an orphan.
11
The speech received a 75% approval rating (72% from independents) according to a CBS poll. When CNN is hypothesizing on weather Malania was wearing white as some kind of secret message, you know President Trump had a really great night. And he most certainly did.
The fanatical resistance is losing steam. The Trump train is gaining steam. Chooo Chooo!
12
Let’s be clear that the people who already support Trump are the same people who watched this sorry spectacle. Therefore, it is no surprise that Trump had good numbers.
7
All he did was read a speech from a TelePrompTer without going off the rails. Any fool could do that, and 45 is a case in point. He still managed to spread fear about immigrants, which is totally unwarranted as immigrants perpetrate crimes at a much lower rate than our gun toting home grown citizens. Also, where is Resident Trump going to get that 1.5 trillion? My best guess is he will privatize highways and let us pay the exorbitant tolls. Anyway, the Trump train will run out of steam once Mueller drops the fires. You can’t stop it with poll numbers you and yours usually despise and disparage.
6
If Trump thinks for a mini-split of a second that spending (maybe) $200 billion by the Federal government will trigger $1.5 trillion in new infrastructure projects, he really truly is on drugs AND suffering extreme dementia.
14
don trumps, “purity by association theater” was especially disgusting.
in my opinion trump was not worthy of being in the same room with the group
of descent world citizen americans that he put on display to
freshen the air around him last night.
draft dodger, porno adulterer,tax cheat,phony university, racist,obstruction of justice,treason and I wouldnt accept,his tax returns or apology now, in church, on Sunday not that he has ever showed up there.
and what should have decidedly rang true with his base....this guy has never done one day of physical labor in his life. wake up and vote like it matters
18
January 31, 2018
What a fusion of Americana conservatism - mind melding Frank Sinatra, Ronald Reagan, and yes Richard M. Nixon -and what we have is back to the American strongman with definitive hyper ego authoritarian imperial rule and all thanks to American voters that want to believe in the truth of personality politics and what every women should seek for in euphoria - in its really a man's world.... Isn't it sad - of course but hey it not an easy job to fill to run the country in the mixed up world of histrionics and post modern ecclesiastical abandonment to the truth in our social contract for justice to all...
I would note teh SOU speech should be limited to ten minutes and just telling for the record who is really okay and then who's fake.......
jja Manhattan, N.Y.
2
Abuse - that is the motto of this man. Just like any other’s of his kind. The worse it gets the better for them. World of free thought must unite once again! Fear is at the helm now. What is it going to take for people to apreciate life again?
4
After watching the way that Trump used the MS-13 gang and the families of two of the gang's murder victims to smear all immigrants, I am shocked that State of the Union address reviewers in the media aren't gagging all over the place today. It was a bald-faced hate-incitement method no different than the ways used to malign Jews in Nazi Germany. Speaking as an American citizen for 70 years, I think it was heinous that a State of the Union speech in the US would be besmirched with such manipulation to hatred, and I'm dismayed that a lot of normalization of such tactics has gone on, or many Americans would be outraged about this speech today.
26
All these folks that say to me that Trump is my president have overlooked something: He doesn't want to be my president. He's made that clear over and over again in the things he's said. Look--his supporters don't even think I am an American if I don't agree with them (I would say with Trump, only Trump doesn't seem to know what he stands for except for himself and his buddies at Mar-a-Lago). I don't have an interest in what he says because he doesn't have an interest in what I would say. He only cares about his base. So let him be happy to have the chance to address them. The only unity his is talking about in his speech is the unity of his base.
21
It’s hard to believe that anyone could take Trump seriously about anything except showmanship. After all, he honed his skills as a host of a reality show for 14 years. It is and always will be all about me, me, me for this man. Applauding himself all the way.
17
This administration is a train wreck in progress, one car after the other coming off the tracks. It will only stop when Trump is taken away to that farm in upstate NY for observation, only then can we assess the damage that was done.
19
The far left has managed to convince a sizable minority of citizens that changing the most basic rules of our political system.
Citizenship has to mean something. We have to agree to that basic premise: that citizens have rights and responsibilities.
A radical fringe of citizens has decided that they should get to dictate our political future by handpicking millions of citizens. They have no legal arguments so they appeal to emotions.
Their arguments are laughable. Arguments about principles and ideals. Arguments about the Statue of Liberty and poems. Arguments about poor doe-eyed kids on the cusp of major academic achievements- super-hero workers who can put in a twenty-hour work day and then go volunteer at the old folks home.
This is a country- not a storybook. Our policies are based on our own economic interests. Not on poems. Not on statues.
I will never apologize for having a decent life. I am not sorry that I can provide for my family. I do not feel guilty that my family has access to food and healthcare. I do not feel obligated to trade my welfare to save the world.
If you feel guilty then send money to the people you want to help. Send your resources. Go overseas and volunteer to help people. Do not think it is acceptable to force everyone else to bend to your will because you feel guilty.
Those here illegally need to leave. All of them. Those here illegally are only concerned about their own material gain- we should take the same position.
9
Guide for resting on your laurels:
Step 1: Actually earn a laurel. Do something great! Being born at a location within USA earns you less than a participation trophy.
Step 2: After resting on your laurel, get over it and keep doing something great. Certainly don't appeal to your birth place as your great value or people might mistake you for not having any.
3
The best and most important aspect of last nights TV performance was Joe Kennedy's speech. A true State of the Union. The President's speech was just Trump sounding off and rallying his base. He only wants to unit white Americans, forgetting his family history includes immigrants/dreamers.
13
The speech was not any different from the State of the Union addresses presented by Presidents for decades. They all emphasized their preferences and trivialized what they would prefer not to discuss. It's all political nonsense and pandering to various constituencies rather than candid and reasoned discussion of the actual state of the nation. So Trump was not being his wild man, demagogue persona. However, the response of the Republicans was bizarre. Trump was leading the clapping rather that waiting for it, and the Republicans were following his lead, not exactly spontaneously, while Democrats were stone faced and immobile. It showed a government disunited and a majority that was determined to hold together and continue acting as it has. Given that nearly everything it and the President has done pleases only the Republicans who voted them into office and mostly was contrary to the majority of Americans polled, it shows a defiant Party determined to impose it's will upon everyone else as long as it is in power. That seems to be the state of this union.
4
Talented writers!
From the article:
"Yet similar rhetoric by Mr. Trump has not lasted long. When he addressed a joint session of Congress weeks after his inauguration last year, Mr. Trump called for an end to “trivial fights.” Days later, he was on Twitter charging that President Barack Obama had tapped his phones in Trump Tower."
9
Leaders should lead by example. Calls for ending "trivial fights" sound laughably hollow from the guy who insulted everyone from American POWs to the Pope, and seems to get into a new Twitter feud every other day. As James Baldwin said, "I can't believe what you say, because I see what you do."
12
Trump giving his speech with Vice President Pence and Speaker of the House
Ryan sitting behind reminds me that If Trump should die a man who believes that the earth is less than 10,000 years old would be in charge of the government. All credible evidence points to the earth being close to 5 billion years old. I would fear for our country if someone so hostile to science would be in charge. We will have bad government for until 2021.
9
The President is such a humble man. He missed the opportunity to mention in his speech the amount of money Trump Org is bringing back to the homeland due to his tax bill. He also didn't proclaim how many thousands in bonuses or the amount of the raises all Trump Org's employees will receive. Must have been an oversight.
8
The last thing we should hear from Trump is what he has to say when Mueller deposes him. The last, and hopefully soon.
7
The GOP has some nerve calling for bipartisanship now, after how they treated the previous president who was elected twice by an actual majority. I say that there cannot be bipartisanship or even dialogue between the two parties and their supporters before the current president is thrown out in the next election. Only then we can begin rebuilding and fixing this American carnage. Bad behavior cannot be rewarded.
8
Last night's self-serving state of the union address simply cast more evidence of the overwhelming probability that Donald Trump views the United States as one of his real-estate holdings.
11
All those standing ovations from Trump's GOP court jesters must have been exhausting for them. It's the most work they've done all year.
15
As democrats sat stone faced and even refused to applaud National Guard heroes and Border agents, the latest polls show that 75% of the public (CBS) agreed with Trump and gave him positive marks on the SOTU speech. And Trump’s approval rating jumped 10 points BEFORE the speech.
The Dems are further separating themselves from the American public, isolating themselves. Their response last night was embarrassing.
Won’t be pretty.....
9
Most of the nation probably wasn't even watching, so what 75 percent approved?
4
One can never truly know what is in a person's heart, but given Mr. Trump's words and actions to this point it is difficult to believe there is any sincerity in his appeal for unity -- unless his preferred path to that unity is complete capitulation to his will.
16
Live your truth. Give your raises/bonuses/and extra paycheck $$ to your charity of choice. Take an illegal alien family (extended) into your home. Make a payment for health insurance even if you don't have health insurance. Support extra lottery visa winners with your 401k earnings. Give up your child's spot in the College of their choice to a deserving DACA student. What else do you want? Stop all the unproductive marching and moaning and make it happen on a personal level.
14
OR we can resort to the kind of "giving" that Trump makes Trump gave out settlement checks to the people he defrauded during his Trump University scam just a few weeks before his bizarre inaugural address last year. He also doled out hush money to Stormy Daniels which incidentally bought him a "mulligan" from the evangelists, who forgave him his wicked wicked (PTL-esque) ways. He took a few Russian oligarchs and turned THEM into an "extended" family if you want to use that as a metaphor for money-laundering. And as to his child's spot, let's see one of his children volunteer to fight for our country. The Trump family from his great grandfather down has never made such a personal sacrifice.
By the way, when are we going to see his tax returns. I'd love for him to claim he pays the "highest tax rate" in the world once it's revealed he didn't even pay any Federal income taxes last year.
3
I didn't watch the SOTU address because the thought of watching this man speak for this long made me ill. Watching just the NYT 90-second version made me feel ill, too. But the sycophantic, sanctimonious expressions of hypocrites Pence and Ryan behind Trump made me even more so.
What a shameful stain on this country.
27
Trump's call for unity is a TRojan Horse at best. His idea of unity has always been get rid of everyone who disagrees with him and ----POOF!!! Instant unity.
13
"is our new American moment"
Define "our", Mr. Trump. Who are you including in that "our"? It sounds like you, Stephen Miller, some on the right-wing, racist fringe and a bunch of one-percenters like Steve Mnuchin. With everything you've expressed, tweeted, dog-whistled, I will not consider an "our" from you to include me. And I don't want to be included with you.
13
"Give me your tired, your poor,
Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,
The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.
Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me,
I lift my lamp beside the golden door!"
Last night, Donald Trump destroyed this hpe inscribed on the Statue of Liberty, penned by Emma lazarus.
6
Trump's is more like,
"Give me your oligarchs, your dictators,
"Your Goldman-sachs hedge-fund managers in a huddle yearning for more,
"More, that's right. I want more! Send more to me.
"I lift my fist and shake it at journalists while I hide behind a half-dozen or so bodyguards...
... and I don't know how to turn on a light switch in the oval office without the assistance of my hired help."
9
The biggest conman this country bought! Bought all the lies and without releasing his tax return -- which he promised to release. Number one lie before election...
10
Trump didn't roll out his immigration plan, he rolled out Stephen Miller's immigration paranoia.
16
The most shameful part of SOTU was not Trump's self serving address, but all those mendacious Republicans cheerfully agreeing with him.
14
It is time to tear down Lady Liberty and erect a giant copy of of the statue known as America in her place. It is time for a 21st century masterpiece from the Guggenheim to represent what America is now. It is 2018 not 1875.
3
After more than one year of his presidency, I have finally realized what it is in almost all pictures and videos of him that uniquely identifies what he is: smug.
17
Indeed he is, and neither Pence nor Ryan are any better.
6
While others listened intently to an habitual liar, I thought back on speeches by Great Men who actually could talk to people and get their messages across . These Great Men didn't rely on exaggerations, lies, boasts. They usually played a large role in what they had to say. They included their whole populace and everyone felt "uplifted" when they listened and felt the speeches really dealt with all of them and were written with the good of the country in mind. This man does each of us a disservice . Who can take him at his word, and really who would want to? He is not anymore of a speaker, than he is a leader. He leaves our country wanting. Better, more , truth, dignity. Let's hope our next president embodies these traits.
10
Did he mention all the steel plants and coal mines he was going to reopen and put the people who voted for him back to work?
10
Oh please, why do we pay any attention at all to what he has to say? I'll hand it to the reporters with stomachs go and risk dissentary listentening to this drivel and then offer an honest analysis to random souls who might seek meaning in it. Personally, I can't stand to hear the swine speak, and there's nothing he can say that will change the glaring facts that he is a national disaster of historically monumental proportions. Wall Street is high for now, but it's unsustainable and when it goes we still won't have any infrastructure or anything ressembling a government to face the problems. Go away, Mr Trump !
13
Talking about chain immigration, could you have someone check on how many immigrants came to America because they were themselves Trump wives or related to a Trump wife? Also, how many immigrants are hired each year at Trump businesses like Mar-a-Lago? He wants to cut legal immigration, but surely the hypocrite in chief needs to be sure that there are enough available to provide low-wage workers for his vineyard, golf courses, hotels, etc.
13
It is sad how difficult it is for people to accept the fact that the united states has died. Those who try to reanimate its corpse will only create a tyranny in the body. Decent people need to push their states out and into independence before it is too late.
6
My wife and I listened to understand his plan to combat the opioid crisis. We have suffered through this crisis and looking for Trump's big plans to combat the opioid crisis.
The plan - jail drug dealers and........adoption! Congress and the President applauded a family for adopting the baby but nothing was mentioned what help would be provided to the birth mother.
That'll do it. Crisis over, our President and Congress have spoken. Feel better now?
13
Trump called for rebuilding the nation's infrastructure. That sounds like a call for big government.
It is a peculiar call to be made by someone who just cut taxes.
On a different subject:
Trump mentioned MS-13. It is a group that was founded in Los Angeles.
If Trump is worried about killings, he should worry about unlimited access to guns. MS-13, and the other crazy nuts who shoot lots of innocent people, can buy all the guns they want.
8
That was an "appeal for unity"?? I missed it. What didn't escape my attention was the horrifically written and delivered speech. Nothing good about it. Stilted, phony, forced and full of lies and hypocrisy. I feel sorry for all of the innocent people used as pawns in Trump's game. And the two behind him with their smirks and piousness...It's sickening. America has ceased to exist.
10
I know it's too late for my comment to gain much traction but I feel compelled to write regarding the SOTU. Whatever Trump says, it doesn't matter. He doesn't believe what he's saying, we don't, the GOP doesn't, the Dems don't, the people sitting there don't. When you accept the concept of "alternative facts", up is down, left is right. The fat lady has sung and POTUS has left the building.
10
"see him as an unpredictable and entertaining commander in chief who posts vitriol on Twitter against the advice of the White House staff"
Really? This is what 37% of Americans want as a President?
11
Synopsis of Trump's state of the union speech: heavy on self-praise, light, O so light, on how the rest of us may benefit from his awesomeness.
14
Trump's state of the union speech seemed utterly conventional.
Yes, it was filled with Republican talking points. But there was no foul language, no overt racism or bigotry.
Perhaps liberals have been too hard on him for speech that at time is coarse and vulgar. After all, such coarse and vulgar speech appears every night on late night talk shows and people laugh.
Liberals laugh at the white construction workers who (sad to say) use vulgar language in everyday speech. Trump often tries to appear as one of them, one of his base.
Obama ignored this base when he forgot his implicit promise to put America on a path towards universal health care. Instead he put forward a plan designed by MIT economist Jonathan Gruber who often bragged that voters were too stupid to understand its clever features. Indeed, the poor didn't understand the mandate and often voted against their own self-interest.
Obama ignored the white construction workers in his ARRA which provided $787 billion in funding to fight the Great Recession. Although it contained generous increases in EITC benefits for women with children, there was only $46 to $47 billion dollars earmarked for infrastructure spending that would have provided jobs for the hated white patriarchs, jobs that could not be outsourced.
Now Trump promises $1.5 trillion for infrastructure spending.
Most likely that promise will not be kept. But it sounds as though he remembers the poor working class which liberals have abandoned.
6
Jake Wagner, "the poor working class" does not begin and end with "white construction workers". Many Americans who go to work and pay taxes do not wear a hard hat and check mark "white" on the census list. If Liberals have abandoned the poor working class, which, according to your post, only consists of white people, then the Conservatives have most certainly abandoned everyone else who is a citizen of our country.
4
Half of the working class are people of color. The white construction guy matters, but isn't the only voice that matters (and not all construction workers are white anymore by the way - far from it).
It's a fallacy that Trump won the working class. Clinton won the working class (in addition to the broader population who rejected Trump's xenophobic positions.) Trump's "base" is the white middle class. Look it up, as well as MLK's Letter from a Birmingham Jail.
4
Jake,
There are many different kinds of liberals, not just the ones you're stereotyping. I'm not sure where you get the idea that liberals have abandoned the poor working class. Liberals are the ones who want to protect social security and Medicaid, two programs that benefit the poor working class. Liberals are also responsible for agitating for increases in the minimum wage. The liberals I know are very concerned about the plight of working people.
1
I will not acknowledge Trump as our President so it follows that I will not view or listen to his speeches. The Times story illustrates his lack of depth and ideas as President again.
6
"reordering of immigration laws that gives priority to higher-skilled immigrants." Huh? They are calling for a reduction in legal immigration overall by capping family immigration. there's not a word in any of their proposals to help higher skilled immigration, which is completely broken in america. Just reducing the other kinds of immigration is not prioritizing higher skilled immigrants just like if you stopped exercising to watch tv you are not "prioritizing working" just because it is something else that you happen to do. the "merit based" lingo by trump is just a smoke screen for the make america white again agenda, and you are contributing to it.
1
Until he (a) initiates the sanctions on Russia, which were overwhelmingly voted for by the House and Senate; and (b) he cooperates fully with Mueller and the rest of our investigative agencies; then I will regard Trump's speech as nothing but a self-serving, self-gratuitous, shallow and dullwitted State of the SOVIET Union address.
5
The body language says it all: the smirk, the deep breathing through the nose, clapping at his own words, the hand signal for people to stand, looking down his nose at the crowd and the handshakes and claps on the back. How many actually believed what they heard, which was a speech written by his staff, meant to make his look good, and nothing more.
12
On the one hand I'm not inclined to put a lot of stock in what the man says, but on the other hand you'd like to encourage a serious and conciliatory approach. I encourage all those who have to work with Mr. Trump to approach their work constructively relying on sober and constructive messages he has given, and sober and constructive messages and proposals you can offer. Put aside the kind of deep toxic skepticism that virtually guarantees further deterioration, logically justified though the skepticism may be.
2
Unless he is whipping up "the base" at one of his rallies Trump is not a great speaker. He isn't even a good one. It was obvious that he was not really familiar with the speech he was giving. He seemed almost bored with the whole thing. If this address was supposed to promote unity it failed miserably. And worst of all, the rest of the world was watching.
10
Sorry folks but the scowls on the Dems faces and the others that didn't show up did not help their cause. Regardless of the content of Trumps speech the Dems made themselves look "Un American". The Trump bashing is not a good enough reason for Americans to vote Democrat. I am not Dem/Liberal bashing here I just think they better choose a better platform to run on. Thanks
11
A progressive platform needs to be articulated and fast. If they feel stuck in the mud now it will not feel much better tomorrow if they don't get their minds working soon.
2
Agree--but the good news is that the Democrats just helped themselves lose some seats this fall--so there is a silver lining to the pouting by the Democrats.
2
If that is your definition of looking "Un American", Mike S, I wonder why you didn't include the majority party of Congress in your statement as proof of an unbiased concern. The Republicans have scowled, bashed, interrupted, obfuscated, derided, and otherwise undermined the power of the American people's will (both the popular and electorate voting majority) with their well-documented and divisive public refusals to work with the Dems for 8 years of the Obama administration. The Republicans current tactics continue on that strain as they hold closed door late night meetings to rush through sloppy partisan legislation, which is but one of the signs that they are ignoring the Dems and by proxy, half of this country full of Americans. That is at least on par with being as "un American" as seeing some grumpy-faced Democrats.
1
In reading the transcript of his speech, the expression “nothing-burger” was the first thing that came to mind. He checked the box of being able to deliver a speech someone else wrote for him without falling off the stage.
6
We must never forget that the real Trump is not the one we saw reading a speech prepared by others. The real Trump is the campaign Trump, the Trump who enjoyed bullying and insulting those that point out his flaws, and there are many. What we watched last night was the Trump show made for TV. He was so embolden that he even clapped at his own comments. The reality is that what he said he wanted to do, will be stalled by Congress and blamed on the Democrats. Expect the following: like, I really wanted a pathway to citizenship for the Dreamers, but Congress could not agree on what I would get in return, so sorry folks, they have to leave. Can a country still call itself a democracy when a President is only true to his base, a distinct minority, but one that controls the agenda?
8
The news of the speech wasn't what he said -- nothing was a surprise in terms of policies -- but the Republican lawmakers' reaction to him. They applauded for everything, including his nationalistic, fear-mongering platforms as well as his spending plans. The Republicans are no longer split, at least publicly. It is clearly the party of Trump now.
6
I would certainly not consider myself a Trump supporter, but last night during his first State of the Union speech Mr. Trump did exactly what he needed to do by acting like a president and speaking to me as a citizen.
I believe this is the best speech Mr. Trump has ever given. He spoke both on what has happened in the last year and what he wants for the upcoming year; he spoke of personal stories and national issues; and most of what he said was actually accurate which, unfortunately, for him is pretty good.
And perhaps most importantly, he kept it professional and optimistic. He actually looked like a president up there trying to lead the nation instead of the narcissistic demagogue we are more accustomed to seeing. Though I doubt it will last and his administration will be mired in problems for the rest of his term, this was a welcome break to actually focus on the issues facing our nation and the surprisingly good policies the Trump administration has enacted/trying to enact to deal with those issues.
Though I absolutely despised what Trump was doing during his candidacy, I shockingly found myself saying at the end of the speech, “Wow, maybe Trump is not so bad after all.”
5
I weep for the future.
3
:Sigh:
The man stayed on topic with help from the teleprompter that he claimed to despise during his campaign. So what? That's how low the bar is now?
3
IF that's the case, then maybe a 15-year old from Moscow proficient in our language is not so bad after all either - just as long as he can keep up with the 5th grade level vocabulary contained in a teleprompter.
1
Trump's speech failed to ring with truth because it bore very little overt relationship with his daily tweets, which is Trump personified. The SOTU was not written by him. It was written by those who would try and pull the wool over our eyes. In fact, I thought the speech sought to define us Americans in the most inauspicious way, rather than offer a real progress report of Trump's presidency and an encapsulation of the most pressing issues America faces today and what to do about solving them.
It was about "getting ours" in the most selfish manner instead of assuring a fully functioning continuity of our future.
One profound example of this Trump presidency is that when Trump dines with others at the White House, he is given a double portion of ice cream while others get a single and he makes sure they see it.
3
He is fond of pride, referred to it, encouraged it so many times last night.
Pride goes before a fall.
6
When I watched the President's State of the Union Address last night I could only think of one thing. Con Don is going to take credit for everything good and blame the Democrats for everything bad and his supporters will believe it.
The last episode of X-Files showed us exactly what he is doing - rewriting history by making us doubt the truth and believe lies.
8
US Senator and wounded warrior Tammy Duckworth responded to Trump speech:
“With the world watching, I hoped Donald Trump would finally remember some of the promises he made to the American people and display the leadership needed to unify this nation. I hoped he would present a serious infrastructure plan that makes the investments we desperately need to rebuild our crumbling roads, tunnels and bridges. I hoped he would offer a plan to rebuild rural communities that have been left behind like Cairo, Illinois. And I hoped he would finally propose a realistic bipartisan proposal to lift the inhumane threat of deportation countless Dreamers face because of him.“Instead, the President engaged in more of the reckless rhetoric that divides instead of unites—and that already caused countless diplomatic crises and brought us to the brink of nuclear war with north Korea. He made little mention of smaller communities across America that he promised to help rebuild during his campaign. He failed to propose an infrastructure plan and focused only on public-private partnerships, which would force new tolls and taxes on middle-class families and fall seriously short of what is needed.
“We need our commander-in-chief to change course, try to forge bipartisan agreements on issues like immigration, and present the American people with a more positive and inclusive message that moves us forward as a nation. Tonight, President Trump failed on each of these counts.”
6
Paul Ryan and Mitch McConnell should call votes in the House and Senate on Trump's immigration proposals as is, and let the Democrats go on record voting against granting citizenship to Dreamers.
2
This GOP congress is on record as not being able to agree - just amongst themselves - on a sane immigration policy, so dream on Honey Boo Boo.
2
Yeah, that'll show 'em...You do realize that this isn't a game, right?
3
Tolls resulting from private infrastructure represent a new TAX INCREASE.
Yes we don't have the money because most of the tax cut $$ were given to large corporations and rich individuals, neither of whom needed the money, and neither of which will invest the majority of the money in the economy.
If Trump cared about the economy, he would make ILLEGAL the offshoring of investments to the CAYMAN ISLANDS and similar places.
5
Trump's vision of national unity is everyone agreeing with him.
7
The speech harkened back to the illusion of the good olld days when good old boys ran the military-industrial complex through muscle and grit and will. Truth is, the future does not have to be difficult. And factually, the grit, muscle and courage of many immigrants and minorities aided in building America and can finally give way to a progressive Renaissance of principles, ideals and higher consciousness which can really change the way we build and rebuild. The GOP train flying into the trash truck is indicative of how grit translates to disaster. Raise our hearts and consciousness for the new millennium by stopping this train disaster.
2
Channeling and modifying Barry Goldwater, who now seems, in retrospect, a sane and comparatively moderate Republican: "Unity in the service of injustice is no virtue; disunity in the service of justice is no vice." Nota bene, Donald Trump!
2
Good luck! Trump's speech was full of lies, exaggerations, bragging and misstatements, cloaked in a kind of bathetic rah-rah jingoism that was deeply offensive. He took credit for the whole of developments that were already underway during the Obama administration (for example job addition rate has actually declined since Trump took office)
The one anticipated positive in the speech--development of infrastructure--turns out to be one of the biggest lies of all. The government commitment to desperately needed infrastructure involves minimal commitment to actual funds from the government--rather trying to shunt everything off to the States (who have been crippled by the new tax bill) or to private investors to fulfill the Republican goal of "privatizing everything." Shades of Urinetown!
But most offensive were all the hate-filled dog whistles to his "base" and fear-mongering. The implicit association of the "Dreamers" with gang culture in the U.S. was offensive and alarming. Trump spoke about unifying the nation, but he has sharply divided it with this reprehensible speech.
Joe Kennedy's response was dead on--Trump has created a zero-sum game in the U.S. where everything is a trade-off. Want immigration reform?--build the wall and throw your grandmother under the bus. Want health care? Impose work requirements even for the disabled. And on and on.
Trump has once again proved how utterly unfit he is to be our national leader.
7
Don't understand why folk here with pride proclaim they didn't watch the speech. Nothing could be more irrelevant - guess it is a bit narcissistic.
Why so many people dislike and disrespect and also distrust Trump? I watched the entire speech on TV but I feel he delivered an emotional and effective speech during his 80- minute plus performance. Without fact checking but I believe that he has convinced a large number of Americans who have voted for him in 2016. He is real comparing with Obama's scholarly approach when he delivered his State of the Union speech. I wanted to go to bed so boring. Trump got so many standing ovations. A good TV show better than many soap operas.
5
Most sane, compassionate, knowledgable Americans reject this wannabe dictator as president. He's unfit and dangerous. He does not believe in democracy. I'm sorry you think that a president needs to put on a "good show"- maybe the future of this country wouldn't be so "boring" to you if you understood our government, our history and the Constitution. As it is, you and Trump have ignorance in common.
6
It is a sad day when our fellow citizens think our President should be an entertainer and be comparable to a a TV show, as opposed to a scholarly, well intentioned man who knows his American history and bases his decisions on fact. Obama was not perfect, but he was hardly a boring speaker and I believe most Americans would prefer a little less drama than we now get with our current repetitive liar in chief, who specializes in chaos. I would rather go bed each night knowing we have an informed and fully engaged President with a steady hand on the wheel, who measures success by public service rather than ratings.
1
I'd rate the state of this union "crumbling" like its infrastructure.
6
Trump's State of the Union speech can be summed up thusly: shallow, pompous, and, for the most part, filled with fake news -- that is, "Trump's news" of the things he takes credit for, but does not own; e.g., the robust economy, the causes of which are, more accurately, the consequence of Obama administration policy initiatives.
Trump's State of the Union speech was also just more childish puffery from a boy-man who thinks he's a guru; his speech filled, as it was, with his excessive use of hollow generalizations like "beautiful" and "believe me" and "100%" and "bad people" and "very very" and "very very very" and...
All in all, Trump said very very very little to me of substance.
What he did say of substance made me, as usual, cringe.
4
Trump lays the blame for the opioid crisis at the feet of foreign drug dealers to support his immigration position? The drug dealers fueling the opioid crises are pharma companies, distributors, docs, and pharmacies who under the watchful eye of the FDA get away with murder.
3
And heaven help you if you really need painkillers, you can't get them. When I get procedures in the hospital now, I sneak in Advil, in my purse, so I can get the pain relief that they refuse to give me after minor operations.
I think the President looked extremely comfortable and confident last night, because he was doing what he knows how to do best. Self promoting. Making a sales pitch for his brand, which these days happens to be the Conservative right wing agenda.
I think this is what he envisions the job of President to be. I think he feels that he was elected to run the country like a business, specifically like his businesses, and that is exactly what he's doing. He lends his name, his star power to products that he has little involvement in creating. Making grandiose claims and empty promises is all part of the shtick. And for his ardent supporters and enablers in congress, it's working.
Like in his businesses, he's looking to attract investors and promising them a profit. They then become invested in having him succeed, because their money is riding on it. Of course, in his many business ventures, it was often the case that when the bills came do, he defaulted, relying on bankruptcy laws for "risk takers" that allow him to retain his personal wealth.
"Don the con" considers himself a success because he himself always manages to come out ahead. For the rest of us, the message should be "buyer beware".
7
75% of SOTU viewers approved of the speech, according to CBS News. Maybe that's because only Trump's base was watching it.
27
I agree, gailweis. Has anyone heard what the overall television ratings were? Hope they were in the sewer.
5
You are probably right. It's gotten to the point that I can't stand to see or hear Trump speak. I did not and could not watch the speech. The prospect was too disgusting.
5
You can approve a speech, but how many actually believed it?
3
It is an insult to real military heroes - and their wives/families - for The Con Don to even mention them. He thinks they are "his" little toy soldiers.
What a sorry, demented, insatiably greedy fraud of a human being he is.
29
Seats at the State of the Union address should be for US CITIZENS and not ILLEGAL ALIENS. Democrats just don't get it, sitting there with their pouty faces. When will they figure this out? We see you, Pelosi!
12
glad to live in a foreign country. dont want any part of your thinking. it's not the America i used to admire. I'm thinking of canceling my golfing trip to S.C.
2
Really? Did you know that the North Korean he invited last night isn't an American citizen??? And it's debatable whether Melania is legal...
1
Melania will tell all.
14
This is OBAMA’S economy !!
30
Actually all economies, globally are seeing a rise. What this says to me is that the policies of Obama in reversing a global recession have kicked in. Can anybody tell me what policies Trump has implemented that would give him credit for what we see? We won't see the effects of tax cuts till next year when people file. You can't change the global economy just by saying things.
5
@Ps
then why did the stock market start to boom the day after Trump got elected ?
1
Fat chance.
Why aren't you publishing a full downloadable transcript?
4
Hey Guy, Puerto Rico needs more paper towels. Is that on the agenda?
23
It's just a train wreck waiting to happen
10
It's a train wreck in progress, one car after the other coming off the tracks. It will only stop when Trump is taken away to that farm in upstate NY for observation, then we can assess the damage that was done.
4
The immigration system Trump proposes is a good deal for America, DACA recipients and future immigrants. It would do away with the country quota system of immigration altogether. Country of origin, race and ethnicity would not count. The proposed system would permit immigrants to sponsor only their spouses and dependent children, but this would give applicants with no American relatives a more equitable shot art admission. It will produced a much more racially and ethnically diverse stream of immigrants than the present system. Today, 27 percent of U.S. immigrants came from just one country—Mexico.
http://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2017/05/03/key-findings-about-u-s-i...
9
It does seem unfair that those with ties “inside” get an advantage. Truly, it’s the same as a “good ol’ boys” network. Just because Trump proposes it does not make it a bad idea—-and I can’t stand the guy.
2
Show you are truly serious about bipartisanship by allowing a Democratic memo to be released along with the Republican memo. Your own DOJ and your own appointed director of the FBI - Chris Wray - have pleaded with you not to be reckless with classified info, but you and kelly don't care.
8
I thought he was asking the country to surrender.
10
Did 45 really need to glance at the teleprompter to tell him that "America" came after "God bless" at the end?
16
He might have thought this was his State of the SOVIET Union speech.
2
He's proven that he can read a teleprompter.
14
Could be that this was the first time he read it in entirety.
1
He learned teleprompter reading from the last guy who gave SOTU speeches. In fact, the last guy never gave a speech that he didn't read off the TP.
Want unity?
DJT must develop and deploy the almost unanimous sanctions put into law through a GOP Congress. Start there!
Let’s see DJT select the USA over Russia, maybe then we can talk about unity.
His words are worthless!
16
Eyes on the ball: Reuters reporting that Trump let in a Russian security chief banned from entering under prior sanctions last week-and White House will not say who he met with. And Slate reporting that Trump asked Congress to end the rule of law in SOTU, saying lawmakers should let every cabinet head fire federal employees at will - meaning they could purge the FBI, IRS and replace with minions who would do Trumps bidding.
10
Didn't watch it at all. Think he's one of the worst, if not the worst, US presidents of all time.
17
Yes, and he still beat Hillary. Believe it.
2
Distract the masses with an imaginary enemy whilst shifting wealth to the top and enlarging the deficit. Same old formula for these guys.
18
The president asked Democrats to join him in overhauling immigration and rebuilding infrastructure, and the Dems said 'NAW', because they would lose their base.
7
Glad to see that the polls support Trump. Even Dems!
It's rather useless for a demagogue like Trump to call for unity now. Unless one shares his base emotions and prejudices, there just isn't much common ground. If not for his personal hedonism and hatred, he wouldn't have any authentic feelings. When he tries to appeal to anything else, it appears phony because it is.
15
It is deja vu all over again. Trump had modulated, regulated cadence that mimicked Winston Churchill. You can mimic the cadence but you cannot mimic the smarts.....
7
Did Churchill also applaud for himself and breathe into a mic?
1
Two words: campaign speech. Trump's tone was petulant, if not awkward.
5
It is amusing to me that people parse Trump's comments for hints to his agenda or thinking. The one thing we know for sure about Trump is that he lies. He lies repeatedly and reflexively. He lies about matters great and small. His word means nothing. His words mean nothing. It is sad that this man is the face we show the world.
19
A " State of the Union " talk that fails to address climate change, Russian meddling in our elections and with our elected officials handlers , and ignores the ongoing tragedy of mass shootings ( not immigrant related of course ) and daily gun violence in our country. It failed to address the economic and healthcare disparities that are hurting our nation as well. It really can not be considered a " State of the Union " without addressing these real issues. Finally, one speech can not reverse the despicable words and actions of this sorry excuse for a leader in his first year. He had his opportunities and has failed.
17
This is the first state of the union I didn't watch, or at least read the transcript, because it is the first state of the union that has no credibility. When trump manufacturers a dozen lies a day for a couple years (including a full year in office), any reasonable response is to not listen to anything he says because it is just not trustworthy.
18
". . . using his time in the spotlight to describe what he views as his major successes during his first year in office: job growth, the confirmation of Neil M. Gorsuch to the Supreme Court, the rollback of regulations, a $1.5 trillion tax cut, the defeat of the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria and historic gains in the stock market."
Let's unpack those "successes."
Job growth was lower than any of the previous 6 years.
Neil Gorsuch is so lacking in tact and insight that most of the other members of the Supreme Court are already treating him as an unwelcome guest instead of a jurist to be respected and listened to. He is also tainted by occupying a seat stolen by the obstruction of Mitch McConnell during Obama's presidency.
The rollback of regulations is threatening the safety of consumers and workers while poisoning the air and water Trump promised to protect as one of the few environmental goals he acknowledged to be desirable.
The tax cut is a debt financed giveaway to the super wealthy owners of the majority of corporate equity. It will further the shifting of wealth from the middle class to the rich while adding to a stock market bubble that financial deregulation is also accelerating. As such, that booming stock market is destined to go bust, just as it did during the previous Republican administration.
And if ISIS is defeated in Syria, why did Trump just commit to an unending military operation there, in violation of his promise to avoid such expansions?
17
The Obama Administration gave the impression that DACA would only cover those who had graduated from high school, so virtually everyone who applied for it had graduated.
The reality is that DACA covers anyone who is enrolled in school. This includes those who dropped out of primary school years before coming here as long as they now enroll in school. The criteria for DACA specifically says that an applicant could be enrolled either in an English as a Second Language class (that would lead to employment or enrollment in a job training program) or in an alternative elementary school for adults.
If Congress extends DACA's application period, will the social service agencies, that have been set up for the undocumented, help people who do not have a high school diploma (or even a GED), apply for DACA? If the Immigration Service continues to interpret the phrase “enrolled in school” to include simply enrolling in an E.S.L. course or in an alternative elementary school, then we could be offering legal status to people who are barley literate.
In this Information Age, it is hard to find a decent-paying job with only a high school diploma. If we give green cards to people (who are now up to age 36) who have yet to graduate from elementary school, we will be assuming the burden of supplementing their incomes along with their food, housing, and medical care for the rest of their lives.
DACA must be restricted to those who have graduated from high school or who have a GED.
6
I have been reading the news stories and editorials about the State of the Union speech. I did not watch the speech yesterday; a break from my tradition of watching most of them in my adult life. From these reports, it sounds like it was pretty much as expected, he read someone else's words from a teleprompter, waved the flag, took undeserved credit, blamed 'others' for America's problems, accepted no blame himself, etc. I chose to watch the 1933 version of King Kong on TCM - a story of a super sized primate obsessed with pretty women destroying a city. Like Trump, except he's destroying the country.
14
After two minutes I couldn't take it anymore. I changed the channel and found the original KING KONG playing on Turner Classic Movies. I shouted "If I'm going to watch an oversized primate thump on his chest for two hours it was going to be KONG, right? Wrong. I never realized this movie was really about a gigantic monster who harasses women. I turned the T.V. off and went to bed.
14
You put a smile on this old lady's face!
"Some people are saying" that Trump is a traitor who wants to be emperor. "I don't know. It's just what I heard.
(It's so much easier building arguments the Republican way. I don't know why I spent so much of my life researching primary sources and building logical arguments.)
6
Love the Democrats. Their actions will ensure a second term for Trump.
2
Riiight. When he's nearly 80. Because who doesn't want a demented, old bag as president?
Loved it!!!
3
The "New American Moment:" Total abdication of global leadership on human rights, science, climate change.
What an embarrassment. Our only hope is to vote out all repubs in 2018 and block all trump initiatives. Then vote him out with a 50-state electoral landslide in 2020.
7
Trump seemed very calm and spoke in measured, balanced tone.
I’m thinking beta blockers?
Thoughts?
7
Our “new American moment” is a moment of danger. A time for worry.
1. We should worry that he might start a war with North Korea.
2. We should worry that he’s fomenting conflict here at home.
Our nation would be safer if he were locked up. THAT would create a much better “American moment.” (A better World Moment too!)
7
"Trump Makes appeal for Unity"
I noticed another, less remarked headline lower down in the paper:
"Serial Arsonist proposes increased funding for the Fire Department."
5
The SOTU is required as a check on the executive branch. Congress's refusal to hold the president accountable on a daily basis and amid severe circumstances rendered the speech meaningless before he said a word.
3
He didn't call for unity so much as he stated his "take it or leave it" demands. This was the stuff of pure "dog whistling" to his poor, misunderstood (or so the NYT would have us believe in article after article) base. Enough. They represent one-third (at BEST) of this nation's population!
7
Hey, I thought the guy gave a GREAT speech! He has "vision," something a
leader must have, and puts out ideas. Don't like his ideas? Counter with better ones of your own! I have yet to see any vision, or any interesting ideas from his opponents to speak of - just the same-ol' same-ol' stuff we've heard since Roosevelt's days: "See here unwashed, non-Ivy League knuckleheads, we know better, send all your $$ to us and we will spend it on growing the bureaucracy and its self-serving mountain of red tape."
2
If you liked the speech maybe you should applaud the speech writer, not Trump.
1
The majority of Americans aren't going to listen to someone with a 37% job approval rating.
5
"This, in fact, is our new American moment. There has never been a better time to start living the American dream." YES!!!
2
I have no idea what that even means to him.
Not my president.
14
Cheap, low-class, repulsive, hypocritical, false, pandering, theatrical garbage. Trump is very lucky that at least one literate speechwriter is willing toward for the Dotard. He still cannot read and understand at the same time (nor can he walk and chew gum concurrently), and his hands continue to follow the teleprompter words.
His words are garbage; his treason palpable. What he says means nothing. EVERYONE who sees what he DOES knows that. He's still as divisive as ever, promoting and initiating partisan war while underlying the pillars Democracy.
The whole waste of time was an insult to Americans. Those who are impressed by the one-time bonus they received, and for which they will pay with a huge deficit, will realize that the 1% are ecstatic because they will get 99%. The sooner we get rid of him, the better.
26
Amen.
4
Amen too!!
Me 3.
Oh he'll see unity all right, in the 2018 midterms. The American peoples' unity against a narcissist wannabe-autocrat and his morally corrupt Republican enablers. Bye Felicia.
17
As an new immigrant its very disappointing that the press in this country is not impartial. All the media ..are either siding GOP or Dem. News media needs to be neutral. Thats what I was thought. But here I find...from media to public ceremonies.. ..everything is used by politicians. Its close to be called information mafia.
7
Empty words.
Real Donald Trump is on Twitter.
Next.
23
The president, in giving the right to fire any department head on the spot is calling for the end to law, and setting the groundwork for firing Mueller.
First road to Fascism.
24
We just cannot believe anything this guy says. He has no credibility. A canned speech full of empty words.
11
His twitter feed is more aligned to who thumper really is. Want the truth, go there and watch what he says next. I imagine the train crash with the Republicans on board am hour ago is Clinton's or Obama's fault. Give thumper 15 minutes, he'll figure someone to blame this on too, certainly not the failure to improving infrastructure.
At this “new American moment” I’m frightened. As a son of immigrants, I’m frightened about what is happening to current immigrants. As a member of a Holocaust family, I’m frightened when the President tacitly and overtly condones neo-Nazi, white supremacists in Charlottesville chanting anti-Semitic comments. I’m frightened when the President once again threatens a nuclear first strike against North Korea. I’m frightened that my economic security is at risk due to the tax bill that increases my taxes substantially due to the $10,000 limit on state and local ( including real estate) taxes that means, as a retiree, I may be unable to sell my house. I’m frightened when I see the Speaker of the House, Paul Ryan, stand with those trying to subvert the “rule of law” by releasing a doctored and distorted memo containing significant classified information aimed at defending the President and undermining the Department of Justice, the FBI, Deputy Attorney General, Rod Rosenstein, and ultimately the Special Counsel’s ongoing investigation in potential collusion and conspiracy with Russia in the 2016 election. I’m frightened that this “new American moment” puts my very future as an American citizen in jeopardy.
18
I'd be a lot more concerned about the groups on the Left who will harass your Jewish children at virtually any California college. A recent polling shows that dems side with Palestinians more than Israel. That should worry you. As for your property taxes maybe you should talk to the dems who run the State and your city. There are local Bay Area police and fire chiefs who are making $400k per year in retirement pay.
1
yeah, it's ironic that Paul is complaining about higher taxes on "the rich" which he apparently is. lol
I didn't bother listening, I have better things to do with my time than listening to a prolific liar.
15
“A new American moment” was a Hillary line from 2010. Nobody is calling that out here, I guess?
Source: Tommy Vietor (former Obama spokesman), Twitter
9
Trumps talking about religion, patriotism, and family values? Hilarious.
18
AND why we don't call names and bully people.
AND why we don't cheat on our wife (wives)
AND why we don't go back on our word to pay contractors.
AND why we use our word as our bond the next hour also.
AND why we never praise ourselves, but relish praise freely given
AND why we earn respect and loyalty, not demand it.
AND why we don't give lip service only to helping our fellow man.
AND why we don't sell out our country for a few rubles..............
22
Trump is a puppet. His narcissism makes him a gleeful mouthpiece for a number of puppeteers, most of whom seem hell-bent on eroding whatever stands in the way of corporate hegemony.
And those who base their approval on a few more dollars temporarily appearing in their paychecks and on a soaring stock market (historically, always a temporary cycle) better take their 30 pieces of silver and stash it in their mattresses.
10
The investigation of a President before he enters office, the constant turmoil in the Whitehouse, the criminal indictments of his appointees, the sophomoric cyberbullying, bragging about who has a bigger nuclear button, praising NAZIs while sending ICE trucks that target only the brown-skinned variety of immigrants, throwing the poor under the bus while giving tax gifts to billionaires, isolating our country with nasty rhetoric aimed at our own allies, breaking bread with despots, hiring a cabinet of know-nothings in order to empower the industries they were hired to police, proclaiming victories by pointing out trends that began during the Obama administration while Carrier employees are being laid off, the destruction of protections for our hard fought for public land while oil spills are soaking Native American reservations by the energy companies that bankrolled his campaign, breaking our public health system which helps the most vulnerable including women, children, and the poor, the continuing destruction of our ecosystems, defunding public education and the sciences while empowering a culture that only empowers the rich, the meaningless drivel and endless lying...
Indeed, this is our new American moment.
16
Hmm, looks like the moment is over.
4
Bob! Pick up the pace!
3
Why is the Times still ignoring Trumps failure to enact the new Russian sanctions that Congress overwhelmingly passed and he signed onto?
12
The Dems bringing along their DACA 'guests' was not a wise move.
It's says loudly who only matters to them. Illegals over US citizens.
Does anyone here ever listen to AM radio shows? Ouch.
8
I only listen to AM radio shows if forced to, see, there's this new fangled thing called FM..
I only listen to NPR.
We had a nice, relaxing evening last night without any mention of the corrupt administration and traitorous Republican party!
9
Same here!
We simply went to bed early.
What really freaked me out was Trump saying that increasing our nuclear arsenal will result in peace and stability, and keeping Guantanamo open is a good thing. No mention of the disasters in Afghanistan. Absolutely horrifying.
16
It's Obama's fault; he handed Trump a lousy economy that had created 16.5 million jobs.
12
I couldn't agree with President Trump more. This is our "new American moment" comprising:
- Lies and more lies emanating from the highest office in the land;
- Economic and political cronyism gathering steam, spreading its tentacles;
- A major political party ingratiating and supplicating itself to the chief purveyor of this American abasement.
10
I deliberately choose to watch The Post during the speech.
I reckon why should I watch-even for one minute- a guy who calls the press "the enemy of people".
Spielberg cleverly has a scene about Justice Black ruling on the Pentagon Papers "the First Amendment's guarantee of a free press forbids any judicial restraint.".
Even a demagoguery mouthpiece like FIX News has the right to smear and disinform.
8
I wish I could have a better understanding of the chasm between Trump's supporters and detractors. Though I find him to be an utter nightmare in every sense, I don't want to gratuitously dismiss or disparage his supporters. I have plenty of conservative friends - fiscal and/or social - and while I don't agree with their positions, to a degree, I understand them.
I do not understand Trump supporters - I hear a language I can't synthesize. Trump will eventually go away, and leave a profound amount of damage in his wake, from which, hopefully, we might gradually recover.
But what of this strange new disconnect between huge swaths of our electorate? I'm not sure how we recover from that - and that does not bode well for our country.
8
You don't understand them because you don't live them.
The most popular word in our politics is "Tribalism" since Trump took over presidency. In fairness to him, he did not start it but he enhanced it tremendously. We can not trust him because he changes his mind every couple hours. Teleprompter Trump is not real because he reads what his speech writer writes. Tweeter Trump is real because he speaks his mind in tweets. In his state of union, he offered some colorful sugar coated poison pill. I do not think that Democrats will swallow this poison pill. Unity in our politics or bipartisanship in congress is very ugly word. The politicians are crooked and divided the country sharply. Our democracy is in ICU . So we can forget about unity at least for now.
9
Top notch speech and I was well impressed I like his message he went way beyond my expectations. Great President !
2
Liked the speech? Thank the writer. Trump did not write it.
This was a long speech but very light on substance. What are his goals for the next year? What about making healthcare accessible now that no mandate? How will these infrastructure plans be funded? Lots of jabs at immigrants and athletes who take a knee. No mention of the victims of the gun massacres committed by Americans, and no condemnation of hate crimes and White supremacist groups. The GOP were lapping it all up like dogs being thrown scraps. I guess when 45 decides to be “ presidential”, he really doesn’t have much of anything positive or honest to add, but let’s all enjoy the tax cut, shall we.
5
Among Trump's many lies, misrepresentations and unjustified credit-taking, the statement of "clean coal" is an outright lie. Coal is still one of the greatest environmental hazards that exist:
"Clean coal is a phrase created by advertising agency R&R Partners in 2008. The term refers to coal companies that are working to reduce the carbon emissions caused by the coal-burning process. Unfortunately, most of their methods haven’t worked.
Even Robert Murray, a close friend of Trump and the CEO of Murray Energy, the country’s largest privately held coal-mining company has said as much. “Carbon capture and sequestration does not work. It’s a pseudonym for ‘no coal,’” he said last year." - NEWSWEEK
Jobs will continue to decrease and mines will close - even with Trump's abandonment of environmental protections (read: killing our kids), and his empty promises to make coal the new American gold. Coal miners were conned into voting for him bytes lie. Renewable energy development is a far larger economic segment both for now and into the future. If Trump is so wonderful, where are his efforts to retrain coal workers in new tech so they will have a future?
The Music Man Dotard strikes again. Liar, liar, pants on fire - and YOU voted for him!
11
Trump is an empty man who has no appreciation for America, no understanding of his role, no enthusiasm for his job, and no experience with people who are not like himself. His speech was a mish-mash of borrowed phrases, no vision for our country, and fear-mongering. I miss Obama.
11
How will he rebuild the infrastructure without raising taxes? That will be an interesting debate.
6
More than that, where is this workforce coming from, and who is going to pay them? If you look around construction sites today, the majority of workers and not white americans.
He'll probably do like he has in other business dealings, not pay and renege on all 'deals'. Ah, business as usual....
1
The negativity displayed by the congressional Democrats last night is understandable in that they have been pinned into that corner by their Trump-hating supporters, and any different behavior would have been unacceptable. Also, similar grouchiness displayed against President Obama certainly did not hurt the Republicans in the end. But, the Republican anger was not centered around supporting a relatively small group of non-citizens in the fight over immigration; the Democrats must be very careful going forward to promote what they do for the benefit of a wider slice of the American public than that, or they could face electoral disaster in November, again.
4
I'm grateful my small 401K is popping..Thanks Trump
I'm sorry the world now fears America instead of respecting us. Thanks Trump
And I'm voting my pocket, and this is from a Sanders supporter.
I feel dirty, but I've got mouths to feed.
1
We cannot normalize liars; 2000 since he's taken office. Nothing in these promises has merit when the policies he's pushed go in the opposite direction. Every single one of them. It's a carnival midway and the barker has center stage...for now.
7
Trump's idea of 'unity' is doing everything his way for his personal benefit.
Period.
14
I am a US citizen and I have to say that Trump's speech made me feel like I am some sort of subservient class to all the uniformed citizens, especially the brave and beautiful ICE agents and border patrol. It made me think about the teacher who died trying to protect children during the Sandyhook tragedy. Where is the love for civilians who love their country in ways that don't get a star tacked onto their chest. You can respect a flag all you want but what does it mean when you can't respect all the human beings who make this a great country.
22
Have Democrats responded to this address by pointing out that Republicans have ceded the mantle of the party that cares about families to Democrats? No grandparents or sisters or brothers can follow loved ones to the United States?
Have Democrats clearly communicated that community health centers are not funded at this point in time because there must be "offsets" first? That despite Trump's words about fighting the opioid crisis, there is Insufficient funding to fight this crisis that tears families apart? People in key roles to fight the opioid epidemic are friendly to pharmaceutical companies and softening regulatory control that could stem dumping of large numbers of opioids onto the streets. What else can't or won't be funded because offsets must be found while no offsets were required for the tax cuts that primarily benefit the wealthy?
Have Democrats helped us understand that infrastructure spending that pushes much of the cost to states and cities increases those taxes that Trump's base pays? Or are most states and localities unable to raise taxes so those proposed infrastructure projects are dead on arrival?
Where is the clear messaging? Is it out there but not covered by the media, or is it not out there? I don't think I've found that in my morning exposure to NPR, the Washington Post, or the New York Times.
7
“I am not a member of any organized political party; I am a Democrat.” - Will Rogers
1
I didn't hear an appeal for unity unless it was an appeal for unity behind Trump as the glorious maximum leader. Mostly it was Miller Lite, but Miller nonetheless: the same old nativism, race-baiting and anti-immigrant stuff, plus a thinly veiled threat to purge government employees he doesn't like. Just because Trump didn't insult anyone directly, pound his shoe on the desk or raise his voice beyond a tranquilized monotone, that doesn't mean he offered anything new or different. Please, don't do him any favors by setting the bar so low.
14
Why do we need the president to give a call for unity? That's an individual effort and the responsibility is ours. Obama didn't bring unity despite his many calls for it.
2
You are so correct.
The man has faced an onslaught of unhinged, negative press, fake news, a dysfunctional Democratic Party, and a corrupt FBI for more than a year, and he still had the most successful first year of a President in modern times. Leave the Man alone and see what he can accomplish. Meanwhile, the Democrats are embarrassing themselves with their lack of common sense on immigration and national security, their support of ANTIFA and other groups who have an Anti-American agenda.
8
"Most successful first year of a President in modern times."
By what measure? Fox News talking points? The President's own braggadocio?
A POTUS who claims to 'cherish' women, yet cheats on his pregnant wife with a pornstar -- a POTUS who tweets like a child, courting nuclear war -- a POTUS who aids and abets the funneling of wealth to the 1% -- a POTUS who guts environmental and workplace regulations, putting American lives in danger -- a POTUS who wants to spend billions (billions!) on a ridiculous border wall, yet who threatens Americans' healthcare simply because he cannot be the man that the previous POTUS is -- a POTUS who is warring on the press (good, solid, American jobs with integrity that require education and training) and on the Justice Department and our civil liberties:
Is no President at all.
14
‘Unity’? It would be laughable but for all the the very real damage Trump has already done. But listening to Trump and trying to make sense of what he says is like looking for patterns in the fallen leaves - an exercise in futility. Code his speeches into numbers, and you have a nearly perfect random number generator. What, for example, happened to ‘American carnage’? Did that just vanish along with Steve Bannon? ‘Confidence in the government’? That one is outright laughable. What government? I don’t see any government. I see a budding post-constitutional, propaganda-driven, crony-capitalist, theocratic/oligarchic system modeled on Putin’s regime taking shape.
10
Obama obviously didn't bring unity in his 8 years nor did Bush. Look at where we are now - still calling for unity.
When I go onto social media and see the postings by the far left and far right, who now control both parties don't see how unity is possible.
7
The headline should be that Trump called for the end of the rule of law -- giving the government (himself and cabinet heads) absolute power to fire staff at will. Many may not have noticed this. I missed it. But it is Trump-Miller's true intent. It may fail but it was there plain as day.
9
Now he wants bi-partisanship? Where was the push for bi-partisanship with the Supreme Court nomination, for health care, the tax cut bill that hurts the blue states, the investigation into the foreign threat to our democracy, and a whole list of divisive words, infantile name-calling and insults, and actions that are too numerous to detail. Unfortunately, however, there are too many people who are easily manipulated by his rhetoric.
9
Unity? Bringing back the spoils system to replace the Civil Service? Clamping down on any form of disagreement, much less actual dissent? Eliminating every form of safeguard, whether economic, physical, medical or social so as to more effectively siphon off the assets of the United States - or what Trump and his handlers clearly view as a company that needs to be broken up and sold for profit? The only 'unity' that comes from this creature is the unity to remove him and his ilk from any control or influence of any kind.
8
Thank goodness, Trump only claims a "moment". Hopefully, he lacks the persistence to promote his cruel, self-serving economic and social policies for a decade, an era or the long-term future. Those of us striving for an equitable and more inclusive society will need all our stamina and endurance to move us past this "moment".
6
There is only one way Trump can get me on the unification train. He must resign and apologize for the damage he has done to the presidency and to our democracy. Republicans in the House and Senate are forever linked to this abomination. Let’s hope American voters hold them accountable.
13
So, Trump appealed for unity in his State of the Union Address last night.
Hat is a laudable jesture; however, What did Trump mean by unity. According to his actions during his first year in office, his actions have showed anything but unity.
Trump should be labeled "The Great Divider."
4
It's useless to pay attention to anything this President says or even tweets at any given moment. You can't believe anything that emanates from his lips. He's proven this time and time again. His actions speak louder than his words. He has done his best to destroy the reputations of both Justice and State. He has demeaned the FBI and our intelligence departments. He has accused all of his accusers as liars. If he has done any good for the country, it is overshadowed by all the bad. It is useless to keep wondering if this buffoon will ever "pivot " and act like a normal mature adult. Nothing will be resolved until November. We can only hope the electorate will come to their senses. For this November election is truly a referendum, not on Trump or his policies, but a referendum on us, the electorate.
6
Can you believe any politician at this point?
Another terrible title to an article. Trump did not try to be bipartisan. He did not step down his hateful rhetoric. He did not give details of his infrastructure plan. He did decide to call all immigrants members of MS-13 gang. He did decide to keep open Guatanamo even though he has claimed to win battle with ISIS. He did not speak about his decision to put U.S. soldiers into dangerous, untenable situations with little or nothing to gain. He made up lies about the success of his tax plan. This was not an attempt at being normal or bringing the country together, but rather a propaganda speech telling the Dems to get in line.
8
Given the pollsters got the election results so wrong, I question the accuracy of the 37% approval rating.
5
A speech full of sound and (somewhat abated) fury, signifying nothing. There's no unity, no mercy, no justice, no equality, no fairness... no policy or real plan for anything. His lies mean nothing, and his sycophants continue their systemic distruction of the greatest democratic society in history. Nothing new to see here.
6
In the words of the sage Hillel: If I am not clapping for myself, then who will clap for me?
I didn't watch the State of the Union last night.
Why bother when I know it will be made up of claims of bogus accomplishments, utter lies and half truths all to appease his 35% base and to try to pull the wool over the eyes of the remaining 65%.
Seems I was correct.
Note to DT nd the GOP sycophants: Sorry to break the news to you- we are not all as gullible and stupid as you might wish we were.
We can see beyond the artificiality of a bubble stock market and understand the lack of regulatory oversight will result in yet another housing crash and financial crisis like the 2008 crash. There was no money budgeted for the Consumer Protection Agency this year- what a surprise.
We can see the future of the environment being poisoned and we don't want to relive disaster sites like the Love Canal on a massive scale.
We see that while DT is gutting solar, the Chinese are investing in it and all new technology.
We understand that Putin is our enemy and is loving Trump's inaction to the sanctions. We understand that Putin et al has power over Trump and ultimately, he is Putin's puppet.
We clearly see that this country has been weakened on every level since Trump was elected POTUS by means of criminal activity and the GOP is complicit in this conspiracy.
Someday, the truth will come out in spite of the GOP's conspiracy to silence Mueller.
The GOP know they will loose control of Congress this year and they are looking to make the most money for services rendered before they leave.
7
I did not watch the Speech. I can not watch this person talk for 5 minutes let alone 80 without yelling and wanting to throw things at my TV.
My American Dream has turned out to be my American Nightmare. 45 does not Do things, he Undoes things, Things that I Love about the USA. Every time I display the flag I think I should display it upside down. I don't because I´m not sure if it would be seen as disrespectful. If some think Kneeling as if in prayer is disrespectful to the flag???
The only thing that I thought was a good thing from 45 was infrastructure. But now I see that he would also use that against America by getting large corporations involved to the point that corporations would get most of the money and short change smaller contractors and the American workers. he would allow foreign investment that future Americans will be trying to pay off for years to come.
His Tax scam will not work for average Americans. We need to get Richey Rich to pay their fair share of taxes and as far a i'm concerned the government can keep the middle class tax cut as long as it is used for real investment in America and its people.
America Needs A President. A President that Knows Who We Are. And that is not what we have now.
6
Shouldn't this be "Divisive State of the Union Speech?"
1
Disunion is more succinct .
1
For the first time in my adult life, I skipped the State of the Union address. I wasn't about to watch a speech calling for unity by a man who's attacked or offended just about every minority group on the planet.
2
I am not a Trump supporter, and I am out of alignment with both political parties. I am generally disappointed with the NYT/WaPo/CNN coverage of Trump. However, I do appreciate the efforts of the writers here to cover this SOTU address professionally and with care. The rest of the Times today displays the usual TDS and unbalanced emotion and spin efforts. There are far more opinion pieces than than there is news.
I encourage everyone to watch the speech for themselves and to make their own judgments, without the help of all the spinners. Watch young Kennedy's speech, too, if you want to see where the Democrats are headed.
Most of all, get the news as directly as possible. Search out the facts. And make up your own mind. There is a troubling dearth of leadership in our country, and we all need to be as wise as possible.
6
Strange that a man so uninterested in words except in their usefulness to lie or incite others for some sort of personal political gain is trying to build a "unity" spun only of words with no roots in any type of reality.
The idea of "America" thoroughly has eluded Mr. Trump who has been here too short a time to understand it. His immigrant wife might be able to tell him what his immigrant mother also knew.
2
I wish everyone in congress would do two things:
1. Read George Washington's farewell speech
2. Remember what their mother's taught them about playing nice in the sandbox.
This constant name calling, not getting along is exhausting and embarrassing. Grow Up and do the job you were elected to do
7
“This, in fact, is our new American moment.”
What an absolutely terrifying thought.
5
We keep thinking of the candidate for parole, jailed for criminal negligence, who promises to learn to drive if and when we let him out.
The speech was long because it was interrupted by applause (120 times) so many times. This is the greatest president since Ronald Reagan but your biased readers and writers don't seem to think so. I guess everybody's out of step but I.
10
No, Americans get that Trump is a poseur.
4
Most Americans get Trump that didn’t write that speech and that’s not the real Trump. What he Tweets and says off the cuff is what he really believes - and only at the moment he Tweets or says it, because within a short space of time he can completely reverse or contradict himself. No one really knows what he believes. Ask the leaders of both houses.
1
And the congressmen debased themselves while he regaled them with stories about bump stocks, tax cuts, porn stars and everyday Americans lying in bed all day half-naked, eating Cheetos and watching Fox News.
6
I love how tv tried to create all this tension with cut shots of angry dems. It played like movie. and the Kennedy kid needs to works on his drool mouth.
8
A room full of know-nothings listening to the say-nothing. Please. How long, oh Lord, must we suffer this sack of empty flesh?
10
7 more years
1
Why, oh why, didn't the Dems invite Stormy Daniels, disabled reporter Serge Kovaleski, Gold Star family Khizer Khan and his wife, Billy Bush, James Comey, and the mother of Heather Heyer to the speech as well? We can't allow Trump's alternate reality lies to alter the fact that he is a monster completely devoid of morals, ethics, or even the very basics of human decency. He is a traitor to us all who needs to spend the last years of his life in the GitMo prison he loves so much.
10
I don't need to be told that 'This is our American moment' from a racist, lying POTUS who cheated on his pregnant wife with a pornstar. Has rhetoric about 'achieving our dreams' and 'faith in God' ever sounded so hollow?
15
After listening to the abundance of self-congratulatory hype/tripe that the POTUS spewed last night, it was interesting to listen to the passably inspiring "response" for the Dems from Rep. Kennedy. Yet it was not sufficient.
What characterized the SOTU speech was the routine "hyperbole" that DJT has used for years to describe his accomplishments, as well as the absence of any mention of two of the most salient issues of the day: climate change and the impact of the Russians on our democratic processes.
The actual point-by-point rebuttal streamed on-line by Bernie Sanders afterwards was so much more meaningful, and truly worthy of watching:
https://www.commondreams.org/news/2018/01/30/watch-bernie-sanders-respon...
Take a look!
1
Didn’t watch, don’t care. Very, very disappointed in your coverage this morning, NYT, where you pretty much legitimize the aberration in the White House. We’re doomed.
11
"New American Moment" has to be close to the emptiest phrase ever uttered by a politician. I didn't watch the speech and don't intend to. He has nothing to say to the vast majority of Americans who still believe in democracy, fairness, a system of laws and lifting up the poor and disadvantaged.Read about evil people in Peck"s "People of the Lie" or Buber"s"Good and Evil" both written decades ago. You would think that their descriptions came out of the latest op-eds about Trump's character. Woe is us.
8
I boycotted it, did not see it but from what I heard he was on his meds (on script).
If tomorrow he will need to be a bigot, ego maniac demagogue he will do that too.
4
Trump's State of the Union Speech was an insult to the intelligence of the American people. He really thinks we're a dumb bunch and he's probably right about 35 percent of our population. He wants to keep that group barefoot and pregnant.
6
Where is the coverage of Bernie’s response, NYT????
4
In spite of what you Liberal Yankee New Yorkers think, the rest of us in Texas and the rest of "fly over country" loved President Trump's State of the Union Address. What a bunch of delusional haters y'all have become! The Houston CBS TV station recorded a 70% plus approval for Trumps speech, from the most racially diverse city in the world.
7
Please. 70% is of the people who watched- many Americans tuned out.
Back in the real world people look at the deeds not the speechwriter's talky-talk for Mr. Trump.
7
“y’all”....that says it all.
1
70% is quite high and you say many Americans tuned out. How many tuned out and your source, please?
2
The conversion is fully complete. Trump and the GOP are one. They ignored the democrats to get their tax cuts. They've undermined healthcare for the masses. They even pulled the disabled right out of their wheelchairs and dragged them away from their offices---right on camera.
They're stuffing the courts with right wing ideologues.
Mitch McConnell, who stole a Supreme Court seat from Obama, says 2017 was the best year for conservatives on all fronts in the years that he's been here. White supremacists and aspiring theocrats are saying the same thing.
And no one is doing a darn thing to keep Russia from interfering with our elections. And Gorsuch? Even Justice Roberts is unimpressed:
https://slate.com/news-and-politics/2018/01/neil-gorsuch-is-a-terrible-w...
10
The glum expressions from the Democrats reveals that “we aren’t Trump” is not a strategy or photogenic.
6
I just want to know who those two gloating vultures looming behind the President are.
I guess it is only appropriate the vultures were there given that he believes that for the rest of us, who don't live by means of private jets, clubs, towered penthouses, and chauffeured cars, we must live among death and carnage on the streets of America that doesn't see - only hears about.
6
Behind Trump was VP Mike Pence and Speaker of the House Paul Ryan. Ryan says he’s retiring this year. Pence is the wildcard in the Trump admin given he could become 46 if Trump doesn’t make it to 2020 and no one really knows if he totally agrees with Trumps agenda, if what he would want could be even more extreme, or if he’d be more moderate - probably totally dependent on when he took office (before the mid-terms or sometime in 2019 or 2020).
Thanks Leigh, I did recognize them. :-) But they did look like vultures there.
The words are written by Miller and other WH aides who are extreme right wing operatives. Trump reads them with unfamiliarity. What is sobering is that the media, with the mere mentioning of words like unity, infers a false level of seeming credibility on this president. His actions and words are all about his personal financial and power grab. Unity is a catchword employed to sound non-partisan, and is anything but. Unity, translated into Trump-speak stands for the enactment of our anti human rights, anti-voting rights, anti-immigration, anti-womens rights agenda only.
11
So as regards to immigration, unless you are far Left, what isn't to like? The Dreamers plus about 1 million more illegals would be made legal and given a pathway to citizenship. And, unless you are far Left and essentially want open borders, Trump wants The Wall, the end to chain migration and the immigration lottery in return. Very reasonable, and even if you don't think The Wall will work, if you're at all truly compassionate, isn't that a small price to pay for all those pitiful Dreamers to be able to stay?
Why were the Democrats so glum? They've been defanged of their major issues. Of course the FBI collusion report that is about to hit, and the fruitless effort to find Russian collusion with Trump has about run it's course. And, how Trump's tax plan is already producing results and a roaring economy.
13
In terms of immigration Trump has given a number.
Now will the Democrats do the same?
I want numbers. Trump is saying 1.8 million. What is the Democratic number?
It is imperative that they tell the nation the truth- how many people do they want to give amnesty to? How many more illegals are they going to support?
As of now I have to assume the Democratic number is 5 billion people.
10
Here is a number:
Trump's ZERO cost of his unicorn wall since "Mexico is paying for it" is now 25 B for billion to American taxpayers. And you believe anything he says??
6
A link to your source, please?
@Kay,
The Wall is a dumb idea.
How many people do the Democrats want to import into this country and grant citizenship to? 2 million? 20 million? 200 million? 2 billion?
2
Graham once called Trump a kook and crazy. Now he is right behind him. Whats going on? Something is rotten the state of Denmark. Perhaps immigration from Denmark might be as good as from Norway. Hamlet ends badly and so will the current fiasco. The craven cowardly sycophancy of people like Ryan is more nauseating than the most appalling president in the United States of American history. I am a dreamer too- but its a nightmare.
9
I watched the SOTU address with the sound muted. I didn't miss a thing.
13
The speech was fine, if uninspiring. The energy in the chamber seemed low, but there were some truly heartbreaking situations described. But maybe that’s a good thing coming from Trump
The Dems need to swallow the other three “pillars” and take Trump up on his offer to provide a pathway to citizenship for 1.8 million illegal immigrants. I don’t think the other “pillars” are so unreasonable as to turn down this offer. With the exception of his silly Wall, the other pillars will provide some long-overdue stability to our immigration system. It’s always been hard to get into this country legally, and it will now become even more difficult, but we need to make trade offs. The Dems need to go along on this one, and the GOP is gonna catch fire from its base for what will be perceived as amnesty. So as in any good compromise, there are “winners and losers” on both sides. That’s how Congress should work on everything.
49
If the pillars were the starting point of the negotiation I would agree. However we all know that is a total fallacy. This President has not keep one promise when it came to negotiating with the other side. I would be fine with paying for his wall if it meant allowing 1.8 Million Dreamers a path to citizenship. However a rewrite of the existing immigration rules on "chain" immigration is a non starter especially considering Donald Trump & Mike Pence along with many others in this country have personally benefited from those rules.
2
Perhaps all that Wall money and effort should instead go to really improve infrastructure, take the example of what occurred to the Republicans just an hour ago. Wonder if anyone will get it this time.
Hey Joe, how about this for an alternative? Democrats finish growing a spine and do EXACTLY what the Republicans did during Obama's years and refuse to work with Trump on anything. Take control in the midterms then nail Trumpy to the wall.
4
I neither watched nor listened. Because it's not news. Another speech by Trump is not news, no matter he says. He has zero credibility, and he's a proven nutcase and liar. It's all a game of pretend for him. Why do "we" insist on treating this speech as if it matters at all? Meanwhile, the Republicans continue to slime the country with a fabricated false "counter-narrative" about the FBI, this time with the so-called "Nunes Memo", all with Paul Ryan's endorsement couched in the language of "transparency". Now that's a real story, and a big one.
14
The Democrat's behavior last night confirmed to anyone who had any doubts why they shouldn't vote for them.
8
Gee, I guess you're forgetting the congressman who yelled out "You lie," during President's speech.
I guess you're forgetting the Mitch and John Boehner announced on January 20, 2009, that they would do everything in their power to make Obama a 1-term president. And they did.
I guess you're forgetting the Mitch denied the American people a Supreme Court selection made by the President that they elected.
7
Ok. So it's politics as usual? It is. But Dems openly supporting illegals? It looks bad.
1
Just seeing him at that podium makes me physically ill.
24
Last night the Democrats in congress acted like pouting children. The Democrats will find out this fall that the voters were not impressed.
10
Yeah why didn’t a Democrat shout liar?
2
The senate stole an appointment to the Supreme Court from President Obama. Now Trump has the gall to crow about how he filled it. Disgusting.
19
The Shock Doctrine at its best. Excellent disorientation. We won't know what hit us.
1
I watched the speech last night without sound, what would be the point, the narrative will change today. It was interesting to simple watch his actions and the crowd's response.
He spent 95% of his time with his face and body turned toward the republicans. After delivering something he considered extraordinary, which was nearly every statement, he turned his Mussolini chin up profile to his sycophants and refused to speak again until they rose to their feet.
The only time he turned toward the Democrats was when he glowered at them and gestured that they too should stand.
The speech was deeply disturbing to me having not heard a single word.
16
It’s pretty obvious Trump would love to be a fascist dictator. And, at the rate it’s going, it’s not impossible the GOP won’t help him achieve that goal if they succeed in undermining the FBI, DOJ, remove Mueller, etc. even though many in the party “claim” they find Trump abhorrent, impossible to work with, etc.
2
Didn't watch or listen. Life is too short. Everything the man says is meaningless, belligerent blather and it gets my blood pressure up.
13
trump seems to be fixing for another war. If he gets us into a war with North Korea, I can't help but think that all his great plans are irrelevant.
3
Once again we are reminded that we have a tragically unprepared and dangerously unprincipled ‘fake’ president who is an unabashed leech and an unrepentant liar.
12
lies, lies and more lies. It should be astonishing, but, sadly, it's not.
9
One SIMPLE way to unify the country, Donald.
RESIGN IMMEDIATELY, do not pass GO, just leave.
12
And then we'll have the GOP puppet Pence which is worst.
1
Having an Avatar robot running the country is better than having a loose cannon firing shots at everything and everyone just to massage his massive ego.
Did not watch. What's the point? Teleprompter Trump just tells lies in a more civilized way compared to Tweeting Trump. Someone should have emphasized how unpresidential this guy is by inviting Stormy Daniels to the speech. He's not normal and so should not be treated with any normal decorum.
10
Joe Kennedy's speech was a unifying speech. I see hope there.
Now the media is trying to normalize Trump again. When he says infrastructure, he is really saying privatization. When he says come together, he is saying you will believe what I tell you. Now he wants to arrest mayors. Don't try to normalize him. He is trying desperately to undermine our country. If successful, we will be living in a police state. They are already rounding up immigrants. Who is next?
For a preview of what he wants watch the French film 'The Roundup'.
9
Mya Angelou once said, when someone shows you who they are the first time, believe them.
Trump has shown me, at least, who he is and I accept that.
It 's one thing to speak the words of unity in a speech, another altogether
to practice it.
5
Great speech in that he reiterated the principles that he was elected to carry out and affirmed that he is still on course to carry out his election promises. Kudos to a President who keeps his words.
35
No. Remember this? Most people do:
"Mexico will pay for the wall"
"Better, cheaper healthcare for all Americans Day One"
9
Yeah, sure. If only you can figure out what "words" to apply and which to ignore from the man who contradicts himself 15 times a minute.
6
Unfortunately the Democrats continue to pout and make ugly faces. Sadly they don't want to solve anything. Trump is making great strides to benefit all Americans including them. Democrats = Ungrateful.
2
I’m glad the individual mandate is gone, because health insurance companies in some states have begun denying to cover ER bills when the medical problem turned out not to be an actual emergency.
2
Insurance companies always start by denying claims. Nothing new there. Enforcing a denial when it's not an actual emergency is probably a good thing, but repealing the mandate has NOTHING to do with that.
1
I did not listen to Trump (so predictable, as I can read from the comments here) but I did listen to Kennedy.
What struck me is the sentence where he said: You can build your walls, but my generation will tear them down.
No partisan lines there. Indeed, it is time for the new generation (whatever their political affiliation) to take over the reins of power to pursue their own priorities (environment, equality, openness) and they undoubtedly will. Keep faith America, the Trump reign will not last.
5
A great message from one who is turning out to be a great President, so far. Made me happy and proud at the turn of direction the government has been taking this past year. Don't want to slam a whole group of people, but the Democrat representatives did appear to be very dismissive and "un-American," or rather personally dismissive of so many things cited by the President, that are obviously GOOD FOR and/or IN, our country. Our President is not perfect by any means, but I am very pleased he is supporting more Conservative values than I expected. And he is allowing such an extreme in negotiation, with allowing almost 2-million so-called Dreamers obtain citizenship, it would be very, very hard for anyone to say he is not reaching across the aisle to Democrats, demonstrating attempts at unity.
I find it very sad that people refuse to work with this present administration, to the detriment of our future.
47
A good start to reaching across the isle would be to implement the Russian sanctions that were overwhelmingly approved by both house of Congress and that he signed off on and has continued to delay. In addition, I listened for him to broach how he was going to set up a committee or preventive measures of any sort to assure Russia can't hack into future elections that everyone except our fearless leader has recognized (including non partisan foreign countries) but must of missed it when I went to the bathroom. Free elections are one of the most important pillars of the our America that he so proudly states he represents but he seemed to miss that one.
8
Well said.
I had no idea marajuana was legal in Illinois.
1
I did not watch the State of the Union address but have read several articles to get the gist of what happened. I do agree with his message on prioritizing the country's infrastructure--it is sorely needed. Both parties need to stop holding other issues hostage to get things passed. If something has bipartisan support, that should be passed and nothing else should be brought into the mix. I really hope that Democrats don't try to link everything to illegal immigrants--they've already lost me as a voter and they might lose more. At this point, I am hoping that there will be stand-out independents because neither party speaks to me anymore.
6
Two things on the 'infrastructure'. 1 - How in the world will it be paid for since the tax giveaway to corporations? and 2 - he means to privatize as much of it as possible, starting with privatizing Air Traffic Control at our airports. There will be little bi-partisan report because the bill will smell to high heaven with the corporate giveaways. Beware of what you ask for with this Congress and this 'president'.
4
If they do privatize the rebuilding of some major road or the states wind up having to pay for most of because of lack of sufficient federal funding, there probably will be a lot more tolls and turnpikes for drivers to pay in order to drive their n them.
1
"Trump Tries to Move Past Tumult in State of the Union Speech"?
No doubt as sincere in his desire as a serial arsonist is to stop starting political fires with every tweet, or a fine democracy-loving Great Leader like Big Brother, Kim Jong Il, of Uncle Vladdie is... what an varnished package of distortions, half-truths, and outright lies....AGAIN!
9
Trump displayed during his speech not a single natural facial expression such as a smile but only ugly grimaces one after another, hiding his true character as many politicians and businessmen do. Very boring and unreliable delivery.
12
@Turgut Dincer - speculation is that the White House finally got the dosage just about correct.
2
It will not save him.
7
Honestly at this point, the best thing Trump can do is hole up in Mar a Lago and play golf every day until it's time for him to go (which is really all he wants to do anyway). The brain-dead that support him now would continue to do so and for the rest of us, well, I think we have a pretty good idea how this story will end.
15
Does "Unity" mean "Agree with me on everything"?
19
I’m afraid so.
4
Saying you've cleaned out the swamp by removing more regulation than any administration in history is like saying you've reduced domestic violence by making it legal to beat your wife.
23
President Trump did OK, the democrats embarrassed themselves for the newer voter generation with their obnoxious looks as a group .
14
Democrats were a disgrace! Trump wins again!
3
The democrats will never agree to an immigration deal that restricts illegal immigration. Their long term goal is to make America brown, and diluting the white vote to the extent possible. White deplorables don't vote properly.
13
Trump did not mention homeless people (he should have brought one next to first Lady and thank him/her for bravery) and thousands of murders in big cities which are not done only by new immigrants. Looks like these are no problems in this country.
2
Dems made fools of themselves. So sad!
Ted Kennedy rebuttal - soaring rhetoric, no substance. Return of the Kennedys - puleeze!
14
The man's name is Joe, not Ted. He's a Congressman. Many of us find it difficult to take people seriously when they launch ugly little attacks, and can't get the simplest things right.
4
With Donald Trump, the real state of the union is revealed, not by the endless torrent of lies fashioned by his speechwriters, or the people they exploited as human props, but in the persona of the president himself: the first billionaire to occupy the White House, preening over the signal accomplishment of his first year in office—trillions of dollars in tax breaks for corporations and the super-rich.
2
Ok, well, Mr. Kennedy wasn't all that. And have Dems forgotten how many folks are turned off over legacy politicians? Another entitled white male millionaire? Could no minority do the job?
The democrats clearly demonstrated they are not interested in contributing to fixing anything. Their priorities remain , an ever expanding welfare state, unfettered immigration and disregard for the working poor.
Matching immigration to the labor U.S. market needs makes all the sense in the world save if you are a democrat. Matching makes it easier for immigrants to acquire gainful employment and become contributing citizens. Why is Canada right on so many things to the left but not on immigration?
20
You do realize that Canada has a points system for immigration and family relationships give you a lot of points, unlike Trump's proposal. He is completely disregarding family - immediate family that too. Canada takes into even some extended relationships and allocates points under "adaptibility" including aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews. You can also sponsor parents which TRump wants to do away with, and grandparents - not allowed under US law.
4
A wall will not stop illegal drugs and immigrants from flowing into the country. Smugglers will bring them in by boat, as has already begun. Many smugglers use the same boats with shallow drafts, powered by one or 2 outboard motors, as Mexican fishermen.
The smugglers' boat blends in with the ones used by fishermen so they are hard for the coast guard to spot.
A boat with a shallow draft does not require a dock; it can be pushed off from and pulled up on any gradually sloping shore. This design is ideal for smugglers who want to avoid places where the coast guard would know to be on the look-out, such as landings with busy docks.
The outboard motor(s) provide enough power to motor up the coast from Baja to any quiet beach along the California shoreline. The smugglers' boats are met and helped ashore by members of the smugglers' cartels, who then drive away with the illegal drugs and migrants.
For a fuller picture of illegal trafficking by boat, read the Daily Beast’s 8/27/17 article titled "What Will Billions for The Wall Get Us? ‘Boat People’ on America’s Coasts".
10
Build the wall and the flow of drugs will indeed be lessened.
Ironically, California will benefit the most from having some kind of REAL control over the flood on unknowns traipsing over the border.
3
Excepting the presence of the guests whose heart-rending experiences, courage, bravery, and agonizing suffering, there was nothing significant about the SOTU address (sputtered along during the tedious dark night). Their character-It would have been impossible not to notice-made it easy to remember the soulless lack of character in the three stooges presiding over the dark night of the SOTU address.
8
So the Dems have a problem now. Not only are they looking anti Trump, they also appear to be anti American. As the country grows stronger, Dems grow angrier as was seen last night. This is no way to win politically. Having Mr. Kennedy do the SOTU rebuttal was telling. Nobody has benefited more from white privilege in this country than he has--what happened that message? The Dems are understanding that their party must shift to the right and abandon its radical rhetoric in order to continue to have a political voice. This is a start.
17
The GOP efforts to undermine our elections are what is anti-American.
No amount of excuses count for their disregard for our law enforcement and the requirements of our Constitution.
1
Democrats must be careful as their every move is now being watched. Their extremely resistant and petty behavior during the events surrounding the State of The Union bares an uncanny resemblance to Republicans during the Obama Administration. While it is obvious that Trump has exemplified on multiple occasions that he is unfit for the office of the presidency, it is important that Democrats not lose sight of the need for class and respectful demeanor on such a grand stage. They make it evidently clear for Republicans to argue that Democrats are the problem. Democrats cannot hope to win crucial midterm elections with displaying the same partisan hypocrisy as Republicans did just a short time ago. They must finely balance the acknowledgement of the current administration's (few) successes along with its many shortcomings.
11
I guess I'm curious how do you cut taxes the way we have, raised the deficit to trillion and half dollars, pulled out of NAFTA and TPP, which diminishes are country from competing with other nations on the world business stage and is allowing China to become the world influence business and trade, placing high tariffs on certain products from overseas punishes our consumers; with all this being done how will we find all of the money for this infrastructure, military, and opioid spending?
Let's talk in reality and not make promises that you can't keep, it shows Donald Trump who never worried about debt in his own business career and filing for 4 bankruptcies.
19
It seems there is a misunderstanding, possibly with intentional disregard for political effect, but the President doesn't display the characteristic of being 'tumult' averse. For tumult, and truth, are things he reveled in during the campaigns; in which he victoriously spent next to nothing. Here again, he is not what has become known as the typical elected-establishment-Warshington-servant. He encouraged the people with the progress made -- as a people, but is quickly moving on to the next redress. Which are more urgent than the many matters to address that have been left before us.
1
If Trump gives himself full credit for the stock market surge/bubble, then he should also take full credit for the opioid crisis in full swing during the first year of his presidency.
I was going to clean the basement last night while Trump's speech was on, but I ended up by watching it. When it came to substance and policy, Trump's speech made G.W. Bush's speeches look much better than we thought at the time.
After a year in office, the pugnacious, grandiose, self-serving Presidential Apprentice is still not ready for prime time.
Making America Divisive, Chaotic, Cruel, and Worse--Again!
14
We’re returning to late 19th century politics. Let’s hope we don’t get that economy which had a lot of financial crashes and depressions checkering it and blatant racism towards most immigrants (at that time predominantly the Chinese, Italians, and Irish, Jews, and any eastern Europeans coming here in steerage).
There has never been a stock market that hasn’t declined substantially or crashed at some point for some reason. Will Trump except responsibility for that or try to blame everything and everyone under the sun. But personally, I will blame him for whatever he does that caused it to decline now that he’s taken personal credit for its rise (although it came back from approx. low of 6500 and rose to over 20,000 under Obama).
It was a big win for President Trump last night because he didn't insult anyone by name and his many smirks and his self-congratulatory applause seemed so genuine. And that monotone delivery really captured his heartfelt call for unity. Trump truly is at his best when he is his own cheerleader and this time he really nailed it. Best SOTU in the universe, at least since the big bang.
10
First I think we should all take a deep breath and recognize that our country has not been torn apart... Personally I thought President Trump did what he needed to do with this speech. He outlined his plans for the coming year, gave us a summary of his goals and achievements, and didn’t offend anyone all that much. He used some glittering generalities to unite the country, and gave you know, your average State of the Union Speech. Do I think he will achieve all of his goals and continue to not royally tick anyone off? Yes and no. I think Trump has learned his lesson in that he won’t say offend anyone else. I expect him to mind his own business and just be a country manager for the remainder of his term. This will mean achieving a few goals, but mostly just keeping the country in its present condition. I’m optimistic about the future of our country but our Donald has never ceased to surprise us.
34
"and didn't offend anyone that much." How would you feel if he claimed you were a member of MS-13 and a murderer? He is claiming that all brown immigrants are killers. He and the GOP have never once mentioned that so many of these immigrants are here because Americans want cheap labor with few rights. IF they wanted to end illegal immigration, they simply could severely punish all of those who hire them and rent to them. But, because of all the money they make off of them, they don't. Maybe, it is time you sat at the kids table.
6
How does blaming immigrants for all the murder and drugs unite the nation? How does slamming and destroying the much-needed health care provisions unite us.
3
So I guess no one should be offended at his association of the Dreamers and M-13?
Trump came, Trump saw, Trump did not conquer all. He may not have been as antagonistic as we expected but he was much more concerned with the applause than necessary. At least half a dozen times he turned to face the GOP, symbolically turning his back on the rest of us. Trump's America, like that of the GOP, is not inclusive, tolerant, or interested in the average American. If anything can be said about his first year in office it's that there is no room in America for working Americans and their families.
The other things that stood out were the half truths or 3/4 lies about immigration, crime, the tax overhaul, and health care. Nearly every action he has taken and every piece of legislation introduced by the GOP has been most favorable to their rich donors/owners. Most of the Trump presidency has been a dog and pony show. It's been a tragic comedy with the public paying the price. The GOP ought to be ashamed of itself for supporting such an ill-suited man for the presidency simply because it gave them the White House. And no speech that they make, no amount of applause, counter accusations, or defense can make up for the their craven greed when it comes to power, money, and social status.
15
Trump 'borrowed' the phrase "New American Moment" from Hillary Clinton. She used it twice in campaign speeches. Is it surprising that he or his speech writers lifted her line without attribution? Perhaps more to the point, and without a bit of irony, Trump's speech tried to reconcile the New American Moment with his bile directed at immigrants, which itself was buried in misleading and false statistics. Perhaps this rage toward immigrants actually is the New American Moment. SAD!
21
I didn't watch the address, because listening to barking dogs for content is a waste of time. Given that this dog has a 6th-grade reading ability (at best), I do hope his speech writers avoided really big words.
The man is a serial liar. We do not need to hear a word salad advertised as a state of the union address. When he shows how Mexico, not America, will pay for his wall, I'll start listening again, for a moment.
Curious, though: did a small child interrupt his address by announcing that the President was wearing no clothes? And where was Rep. Joe Wilson? Did he leap to his feet and yell at the speaker, "You lie!" Or does he reserve that kind of behavior only for Democrats?
36
It may have been "presidential" but Trump's State of the Union Address was very mediocre and uninspiring. He did his best last night, but Trump's best is not good enough in these times of divided government. The country will continue to slide downhill even as the stock market soars. Before Americans realize that the good economic numbers like low unemployment are the result of Obama's actions and not Trump's 19th Century ideas, the economy will take a nosedive and Trump will be finally seen as the emperor without any clothes. But, a naked Trump is something only Melania should have to endure.
19
I watched most of the SOTU last night. I do not follow Trump so I did not know what to expect. He did not do a terrible job.
There were aspects I did not like.
I am going to warn Democrats- Trumps compromise on immigration makes sense to me. Oppose his generous amnesty at your peril- I suspect a majority of citizens will find the Democratic position- take everyone forever- unpalatable.
And I am going to be honest- if the Democrats do not moderate their position in regards to illegal economic migrants then they will lose my vote too.
20
Quite frankly, I think you are naive. People in northern Minnesota cannot find enough white people to work at their summer resorts; there was just an article about the nice, white resort owners going to Puerto Rico--as Mexico is now off the table--to recruit workers for the summer as they cannot find enough employees among the white population in northern Minnesota. Another article the previous month about turkey farmers and their largely Latino workers who take care of the vast number of turkeys produced here in Minnesota, the largest turkey producing state in the U.S. These farmers have realized they would be bankrupt without the immigrant farm workers they count on. Interestingly enough, once again, they realize there are no white workers willing to do this work. In the Minneapolis/St. Paul areas, most of our care givers in nursing homes and rehab centers are African, primarily Somali immigrants. Where are all the white workers lining up for these jobs? They are, like the others I mentioned above, no where to be found. Your solutions? Trump's solutions? Crickets.
6
@Eva,
We have a solution to a lack of workers applying for jobs: raise wages.
You can fill any job if you pay enough.
There is another solution to not finding enough people to work hard jobs at slave wages- import poor foreigners.
You have your preference- exploiting poor people. I have mine- lifting my citizen neighbors out of poverty.
2
Well, you have a President who gives huge tax cuts to wealthy billionaires and millionaires, CEO's and Wall Street, so let me know exactly when they will all decide to spread the wealth and raise wages. Meanwhile I can promise you that the turkey farmers are not getting rich and neither are the Medicare and Medicaid funded nursing homes that employee these immigrants. I am guessing the mom and pop resort owners up north, who make little to no income in the winter and who turned to tourism after mining jobs went away also are not raking in the millions. You can raise wages--I would like them raised as well considering I am teacher whose salary has been frozen for the past three years, but the powers that be in our society do not see it that way. Happy to support a candidate who would ensure--by law--that that would happen. But in this country, at this time, with voters who buy the malarky coming from the GOP about wages and benefits and health care, immigrants taking jobs and affecting our low wages is mythical at best. Sorry but immigrants didn't bring about automation, nor have they negatively impacted farm policy. In fact, were it not for immigrant labor you would be paying $10 a pint for berries and citrus and tomatoes. Farmers are barely making ends meet. Meanwhile, the rich get richer and their stock portfolios grow ever fatter. The real blame lies in policies that allow billionaires like the Koch brothers to donate millions to campaigns to "buy" candidates.
All nice and well, just like Russian propaganda. Tax cuts to corporations, businesses, individuals means less money coming to the government. Trump wants to build a wall, increase military spending and improve or add new infrastructure to the country. The simple math does not add up. Where will the money come from to fund these projects? Will Trump and the other 1% put up their own money for all this to happen? I doubt it. Therefore empty, unethical promises.
14
When Trump said “we” will spend a trillion on infrastructure, he’s not talking about the federal government. His plan is for the states to foot the bill. The states don’t have the money so private interests will step in. Can you imagine the level of tolls that would make such an investment worthwhile? This would amount to a huge tax increase.
1
The most important change of the last year wasn`t mentioned, but it was obvious for the entire World to see. The United States is no longer a Great Nation - it is powerful, hulking, and bulky, like the brute on the podium, but is no longer Great, and that is an incomparable sense of loss. The loss is all the greater because the story of the last two centuries sounded so convincing. If only King George III had been more sensical and intelligent, North America would indeed be the shining city on the hill.
The World needs leadership. Fortunately, China is there, and China`s Greatness is witnessed by five millennia of history.
16
I watched the entire speech and it was well put together...from the economy to allowing veterans to seek out help through private sources ....plus bringing back jobs to the USA...and everything in between....including the American Spirit and the people he mentioned in the gallery sitting with the First Lady....I loved the line "Americans are dreamera to"....I like President Trump because he puts America first....sometimes he reacts before thinking when he twitters....but I can live with that...as I saw most of the Democrats sit with all the good news the President has been reporting...I think the cultural gap is to big now ....there is very little chance for change...for some reason I believe the Republicans will gain more seats in the House and Senate....and then things will get done...Democrats for the most part want to make America weaker in my view...well for me the world revives around Israel and The United States...
10
Bringing jobs back - really like those at Carrier or ArcelorMittal or the Solar industry? Like pushing us to war is putting America First? Like trying to stop US Citizens from sponsoring immediate family under proposed immigration policy changes, and lying that Canada only does merit-based immigration when they not only allow sponsorship of parents AND grandparents, but also allow extra points for relationships including aunt/uncle/niece/nephew to count towards the points needed to migrate under the skilled category - adaptability.
2
Last night we watched a ventriloquist's dummy dressed as Trump deliver some words that were written by a ventriloquist speechwriter.
The real Trump was working on his next Twitter rants sure to bring us all back to the reality of the real Trump: the Narcissist in Chief, The Great Divider and the biggest Fake News creator in all of American history.
16
Why do you insist on using the phrase "Trump's Language"? This is Stephen Miller's language. Uninspired, uninspiring, and cloaked to hide the true amorality of this presidency. But the truly nauseous part was the image of the two evil twins, grinning and clapping behind him - sycophants, hypocrites, like Laurel and Hardy in an alternate amoral universe. Good luck to all decent Americans.
18
Congratulations to all those that didn't watch the SOTU last night and bravely let us all know. For if you had not done so, I could not give you this digital high five (clap!). Now for everyone else that did watch, you can't deny it was a great moment for America. It allowed us to reflect on ourselves as Americans and what we can do to come together despite our differences. The invited guests offered us the harsh realities of the world as well as a positive outlook into the future. Of course there was a polarization of ideas,that is what you get when you have 2 party system. Nevertheless, there was an attempt to please both parties, which is something you do not often see.
11
Trump can take credit for only one thing, and it's a steady, predictable pattern of behavior:
Lie/Deny/Attack
11
“Tonight I call upon all of us to set aside our differences, to seek out common ground and to summon the unity we need to deliver for the people.”
Translation for everyone outside of Trump’s base:
Unless you are going to agree with everything I say, shut up and sit down.
14
I did not watch this recitation or so called SOTU, just caught the end of it which was bad enough and only tuned in curious to hear what Kennedy had to say. The commenters here have said it all much better than I could and almost everyone expressed my views completely.
When is this travesty going to end? What has been shocking is that we have no laws in place in our government to control someone who is so unfit to be president, who seems to be there only to enrich himself and others like him and to wallow in egocentricity. Who is paying for his vacation flights to Florida every weekend? It seems he is able to do whatever he wishes, personally and regarding our government, and there is nothing in place to stop him. There is no accountability. Is our government so inept that there was no foresight that our government could ever be burdened by a person like this in power? Right now I am beginning to feel like I am living in some third world country that is totally out of control.
9
There is a jury instruction in my state that says, “If you decide that a witness deliberately lied about something significant in this case, you should consider not believing anything that witness says.” This is the standard I apply to President Trump. His Republican party cronies have to be thrown out of office in the midterms, and I can’t wait to cast my vote against him in 2020.
8
At my age, when I hear the talk of big infrastructure projects all I think is something else I'll never see in my life and my drive to work is now going to take twice as long with all the detours. Whoopee! I'm sure my already spoiled grand-kids will appreciate them as much as they do all their other many toys.
2
Quite frankly, I am not afraid of immigrants when I am in the US. I am much more concerned about running into a white guy with an AR-15. If Trump and Republicans really cared about making people safe he should address gun violence. Think Las Vegas, Aurora, Sandy Hook, Columbine, etc.
15
Since I do not participate in any way with a world class liar's attempts to launder his image, I took the trouble to listen to Joe Kennedy III. Let's face facts. There isn't a Trump on planet earth who can EVER hold a candle to a Kennedy. And this Kennedy in particular was a tribute to his father and grandfather's legacy.
Joe Kennedy III has just what the Dems need: A brilliant, highly educated youthful potential candidate who'd beat Trump in any election, any day, any time.
Listening to JK3 was like a breath of fresh air. I particularly liked the fact that he borrowed the line from a protest sign that warned Trump if he builds that wall, "we will tear it down."
As for Trump, since I refuse to condone a world class egotistical liar's need to jack his ego even more with exaggerations and taking credit for the state of the "uniom," already fact checkers are having a field day with Kelly's SOTU address he wrote for Trump.
If the teleprompters had gone dead, the real Trump would be right back showing off like the Celebrity TV host he thinks he is.
7
So what's the bill for Trump's proposals? We're losing $1.5T in revenue from his tax bill; new nukes will be $1T; infrastructure is $1T; we'll have an open-ended war in Afghanistan; we'll dump money into border control and his wall. The cost of healthcare is a question. It appears that Trump is trying to spend his way to the November election.
Trump mentioned nothing about weapons systems and defense; instead, he picked on North Korea and Iran. We know that Trump has mentioned building new weapons, so that's another $1T that he failed to mention. A failure in his speech.
There was no geopolitical vision other than to complain about global trade. It's as if there were no State Department. This was a big failure in his speech.
If this miscreant president is relying on the stock market and economy for accolades then he should know that the growth in the economy started eight years ago. There is a high probability that it could contract. Trump is not intelligent enough to moderate his speech on the economy, for which he cannot take the lion's share of credit for improvement.
As Davis and Shear report, Trump mentioned nothing about how he was going to secure our electoral process, and nothing about cyber security which is a major issue. A failure in his speech.
Trump revealed that some gangs are the motivation for his immigration policy, a typically demagogic tactic.
Trump seemed washed out toward the end of his speech.
Joe Kennedy did well with his response.
14
It's untrue to call this a new American moment. Unfortunately, this is a story that has been worn thin. It is a Baby Boomer story. You have an entire generation with one foot in the grave, still forcibly trying to have their moment in the sun. They are trying, failing, to relive the glory of the 80's. Passing every bad policy will turn back time. They are (as always) willing to sell out every other generation to get their way. Sorry Boomers, but the party is over. Your constant war with yourselves (left vs. right) has only served to rip this country apart for decades, leaving the rest of us to try and fix things. We can't. It's not possible because you never passed the torch to the next generation. You simply hijacked it and want everyone to pay you for the privilege of holding it. In other words, you've pulled up the ladder to success and kept it all for yourselves. Now you are giving it one last shot, and hey if it doesn't work, just take it all down with you, right? Thanks for nothing.
16
Exactly how have baby boomers kept it all to themselves? By paying taxes? By subsidizing Obamacare? By subsidizing illegals - aka Dreamers?
1
All I know is that this must be the "most watched SOTU in history", "Amazing"
And sooo much press. I couldn't figure out where to put this comment...
Had Trump prefaced his speech with some apologies
and repentance for his lies, insults and untoward behavior, then and only then could his 'olive branch" for political cooperation be taken seriously.
As evidenced by the speech subliminal messages reiterating 'standing for flag/anthem"... crediting himself instead of crediting AND THANKING PRESIDENT OBAMA for The black unemployment rate that fell from 16.5% to 7.8% from January 2011 –January 2017. AND TODAY IT'S 6.8%? Seems every word that spewed from Trump's mouth reinforces the deceitful, despicable, deplorable, dictatorial and disturbed individual he has shown the world he is.
19
The Democrats hissed in disapproval? Hissed? These are our leaders and they are hissing at something that they disagree with? This is a new low for the Democratic Party. Their behavior is unprofessional, rude, condescending, and humiliating.
Unbelievable that anyone, much less an elected official, would think that hissing is an appropriate reaction.
11
This must have been your first SOTU. You should have heard the Republicans during Obama's presidency. They really showed some class by booing, but it was much easier, since he didn't pick so many fights like Trump did, in only one speech.
5
The GOP yelled out "you lie" to Obama during his address. I don't want to hear it about appropriate reactions.
6
You must have missed all the "appropriate reactions" Republicans had during Obama speeches.
8
I didn’t and couldn’t vote for Donald Trump (or Hillary, for that matter) but his pro-America speech was such a welcome relief after the negativity and divisiveness of Barack Obama.
Oh, and those sourpuss Democrats sitting on their hands unwittingly sent a very powerful message to the nation about how they feel about this country.
11
Much like Republican behaviour during Obama speeches? What was the powerful message then? Elect them into majority?
13
The blatant pandering to the sector of voters who are neither vehemently pro or anti Trump was palpable in his speech, measured in a way to reel back in those voters who pulled the lever for him but are experiencing buyers' remorse. His silence on the Russian probe was deafening, although I am not surprised he skirted an issue which will probably end his presidency, despite a suddenly silent and sycophantic GOP dominated congress. Nor am I surprised his speech was not an out of control diatribe against his demons: The Democrats, federal law enforcement, and anyone who has the audacity to disagree with him. He will save that for his insufferable tweeting.
9
I'm far from a Trump supporter, but I do think it's unfair to write his address on the account that he is a proven liar. All politicians are liars. Most are polished liars--at best, speaking in Orwellian language. That said, I recognize that Trump is a slightly different beast in that his lies are blatant, fly in the face of obvious truth and objectivity, and are rooted in unsound and invalid premises. However, in respect to truthfulness and relative to those presidents before him, his speech last night was not something out of Mars. I was less alarmed by some of the more obvious falsities (i.e., the suggestion that the state of the economy today is a result of any real policy of his, among others) and more alarmed by the leanings underscored: coal is "clean and beautiful," which is not only false but also screams of exploitation of the plight of manual laborers who continue to buy into the false promise that coal and other industries are comin' on home, and foreign policy, well, doesn't matter much, hence the reason it went largely unmentioned for much of the speech. Also alarming? The lack of Russia talk. The fuel to the fire? The man who refuses to touch Russia is embroiled in an investigation into Russia's influence in our sovereign, democratic election and refused to pass sanctions on the country itself. If it walks like a duck, quacks like duck...
7
He has no mandate. He is a minority president whose party is in power as a result of gerrymandering and voter suppression. Franklin told us we had a Republic if we could keep it -- well, we have two chances to find out if we can, this November and November 2020.
19
Did Trump talk about "thoughts & prayers" brought to you "buy" the NRA?
Real-time data for the first 4 weeks of 2018, as of 1/29:
-1,144 gun deaths
-2,092 gun injuries
-51 children (age 0-11) shot/killed
-220 teenagers (age 12-17) shot/killed
-124 incidents of defensive gun use
-146 unintentional shootings
-166 armed home invasions
-22 mass shootings
NOT. A. PEEP!
28
We will worry about such incidents only when they related to our family and friends. Who cares?
1
Well said, thank you!
1
A wordy appeal for unity that now needs to be backed up by some continuous action and sincerity. Would that it be...
The speech itself was flat. DT managed to keep us half-awake with his tremendous theatrical exploitation of the wounded and less fortunate. And then really awakened us with his derisive comments and "them ferriners (i.e., foreigners)" trying to take advantage of us. Only DT can dream, you know.
In the meanwhile, Ryan the Trump Cheerleader, jumping up & down,
gave some sardonic Dantesque comedy to the overall flat mood.
The best part of the evening was the response speech from Congressman Joseph P. Kennedy. A true breath of fresh air on a truly lukewarm, stale evening.
11
Republicans might consider a grown man reading words to be a monumental achievement on par with curing Polio but Democrats demand more from adults.
14
Great speech. The only ones that didn’t like it are the Trump haters. For them it doesn’t matter what Trump says. Even if they like what he says they would say it’s a lie.
Now the left is frantically attempting to discredit the speech. But before they can get any started Trump will release the Nunes memo. The stupidest president of all time is way ahead of them.
6
It seems, your argument could easily be reversed against you. Would you admit there is a lie that Trump says... ever? The many, many, many documented lies. Where is the balance of objectivity tipping on the lying front?
4
Nunes memo - that purposefully cherry-picked information which is in effect lying?
1
Trump isn't stupid. Anyone who believes him is (fool me once....)
I despair from the Cult of Trump. And it is a cult.
Look at the GOP Congress, in his thrall, no matter how bad it is for our country.
The very thing our Founding Fathers wanted to avoid. Our country defeated by the very system they created. Defeated by the electoral system, the apportionment of our representatives, defeated by Free Speech as implemented by Fox News, the Russians and Facebook.
11
Wow my wife got $100 more in her paycheck every two weeks. I made over 3K in my investments since July. The trades that I work with are screaming for people to fill jobs. Please explain how Trump is forgetting the middle class. Please respond in a civil respectful and save the Trump bashing comments. I really want to know where you guys stand. I don't understand all the negative comments.
9
They can't get over the fact that one of the worst presidential candidates of all time beat theirs. They are embarrassed about it and will be bitter to the very end.
2
The tax cuts are temporary, and have yet to be paid for. The deficit is nearing 1T and no words from Republicans on why that is no longer a problem, after screamng bloody murder for 8 years. Are you also okay with coming offsets in Medicare and Social Security for a few years of tax cuts? The Dow Jones has been on the same growth trend since 2009. All these years of growth and records - baseless, but now it's all due to genius policies? And these are just the so-called-wins... I'm guessing it has something to do with the egregious lying and hypocrasy that overshadows this speech.
5
All you can think about is $$$? There is so much more at stake then $$$. He is divisive and he has set back civil progress to the 1930s.
2
While on the subject of MS-13 violence, I recall usage of the phrase "thousands and thousands." I can't find it on the transcript. Is my recall that poor?
2
Democrats showed all Americans with their despicable behavior why they shouldn't hold any political office.
7
I hope Trump did not mean Trump University when he was talking about vocational training. Besides that, mentioning prison reform and vocational training sounded very awkard coming from Trump's mouth. He has never backed those ideas ever. I guess he needed some fake cherries to decorate that otherwise "immigrants=MS-13" cake.
2
His dead eyes revel so much: Dead Soul, lack of interest, focus, emphaty; etc., etc. He has DEAD EYES, take a look.
9
Great observation — Mr. dead eyes — I like it.
2
The United States of America is still great, but it is currently weaker and more divided than in over a century, or possibly ever. So, a speech can say anything, and this one was well crafted and reasonably well delivered. Yet, it is still meaningless since everything this president has done thus far is contrary to what he said last night. In short, the only real strengths he has are lying and self promotion. He is a disgrace to this country.
28
I often watch SOTU, by both parties. Not last night.
There is not a single thing out of Trump's mouth I can take seriously. Ever.
I would rather watch my basketball team lose a meaningless game.
Which I did.
50
Lawrence O'Donnell's view that Mr. Trump's call for authority for department heads to "reward those who do a good job, and remove those who don't" was a call for authority to fire Robert Mueller. IMHO, it was instead an attack on "the deep state," i.e., to cut the size of bureaucracies in general. In the unlikely event that Congress enacts what the president called for, the effect would be repeal of the Hatch Act, and return to the Adnrew Jackson doctrine, "To the Victor Belongs the Spoils."
4
It must be a southern culture thing to take take take take. These are the states who post Civil War lived off northern tax dollars and still do. Some Americans that every year for over 2 decades those border states have received $2 billion for "border control." By now, they could have built 10 walls to protect their borders.
In effect, all of those border control dollars are nothing more than an excuse to take more money from taxpayers in other states to keep their border state economies from failing.
I am fed up hearing from Mutton Chops and Corn Pones how they have NO job creation. Why is it ONLY in their states they cannot seem to get a handle on how to create jobs like we do in our states above the Mason Dixon line?
We all know why. They want coal mining to return and the rest of their bedraggled relic industries that keep them in jobs for life. Time for these states to stop their whining and get busy and create jobs in their states. That's what their Republican politicians are elected to do. Get to it.
6
I refused to watch a speech by a man known to lie on average over 5 times a day. NPR characterized the speech as "low energy."
JEB!
28
Buried in the lies and his own applause, was this chilling threat if you don't pledge loyalty to this monster and his goons. The only promise that I'm sure he'll keep. "All Americans deserve accountability and respect -- and that's what we are giving them. So tonight I call on Congress to empower every cabinet secretary with the authority to reward good workers -- and to remove federal employees who undermine the public trust or fail the American People."
27
And don't worry about due process!
1
Don't listen to what a man says, watch what he does. That is his truth.
41
Agree: His actions speak so loud I cannot hear a word he says.
2
Yes, helping African Americans succeed, not be victims like the Left prefers, that's what he's done. That's his Veritas.
1
The only thing shocking about the speech, is the hysterical leftie reaction to his common sense ideas. I especially loved the self segregating Congressional Black Caucus who made sure to wear the colors of the African Nations - again emphasizing African before American. I also really liked seeing the lemon faced lefties puckering and jeering at the idea of reasonable immigration reform and pro-American citizen policies.
12
So you endorse a vulgar bigoted narcissist as your champion?
20
What a racist calls "reasonable" isn't really reasonable.
2
I Love my President. He will go do down as one of the best Presidents Ever.
My Family and friends plan to vote for him again because he has already earned it after only 1 year in office. We just love him here in Texas.
I was down in Valley in Mcallen last week and everyone has noticed a remarkable decrease in illegal crime...although just last week in Falfurrias they busted another illegal with 25lbs of cocaine. But it is getting better.
8
Yes, he will go down, on that we can reasonably agree. And I hope that it is soon.
5
Alright stop the presses! Anecdotal reportings are here!
As always, he is the greatest president there ever was (in his mind) that has done the most for this country (again in his mind) and he wants a unified nation (an America that would scare any true American) that only thinks of itself.
This man and his followers are the worst kind of Americans that ever lived, people that only care about one thing, themselves.
18
I didn't need a dictionary last night.
That's how bad and basic Trump's SOTU speech was.
8
And I didn't need a dictionary for Barak's speeches.
1
I gather, having never watched a State of the Union speech other than Obama’s first one, that Trump managed to stick to the script this time. I can only imagine John Kelly sitting Trump down at least 2-3 times throughout yesterday to reiterate, “what do you do tonight?”, to which Trump replies, “I tell it like it i...no wait, I read from the teleprompter!” Following positive reinforcement methods, Kelly then hands Trump a cheeseburger.
16
The number of readers boasting here about not watching the SOTU is truly disgraceful. SOTU is constitutionally mandated, and in modern history has been given as an address to Congress. It's every citizens obligation to listen, whether you personally approve of the president or not. I detested Obama, yet listened to all eight of his SOTU's. I didn't melt or fade away. I suppose unlike the readers here I am able to respectfully listen to an opposing view without it doing personal damage to my ego. Grow up, people.
17
Oh, I know and understand where Republicans stand on issues and I even agree with some of their positions. However, our president is all about self promotion and self congratulation. His insecurities and petty vindictive ways are not worthy of the office. There is no way you can compare him to Obama-and I even think much of Obama's presidency was a failure. At least Obama ALWAYS acted in a dignified way worthy of the office.
2
They don't like facts.
1
Why, though? I think it's honorable to listen to it, but it is also fairly meaningless. In most cases, it's an opportunity for self promotion and nothing more. I hardly see much value in that. At least at election debates, there is a direct back and forth that would help the public sort through the retoric. As much of a circus as they are, they still manage to provide some rare glimpses through the manicured facades. Speeches are purely theater.
1
Please NYTimes, recognize that there are two Americas out there. Taking a terribly one sided view of things can frequently blind side one to undervalue some very positive things and overvalue ideas that may no longer be as relevant as they might have been. Debasing other points of view can lead to tunnel vision , ending a search for pragmatism and practical solutions.
harrym ridgefield ct
10
Oh, we're unified all right and you'll see just how much this November.
Where are all of the deficit hawks from the pious Republican frauds, who as little as 18 months ago wanted a balanced budget amendment to the constitution but now see no problem with 25 bil for a useless wall, a couple tril for "infrastructure", doubling down in Afghanistan, which is now evidently our lifetime war? We can't treat our opioid problem here but we can spend billions protecting our opium warlord allies there.
He can talk as long as he'd like to the raucous applause of his hypocritical sycophants but we're not as dumb or pathetic as they are. Trump's "Dream" is one we'd all like to wake up from and pretend it never happened. That will start this November.
23
The clapping into the microphone (loudest claps in the room) reminded me of Wheel of Fortune... DJT, game show host.
16
None of positive things Mr. Trump mentions has much effect on life of most Americans, especially blue collar unprivileged ones who voted for him!
Mr. Trump: Who is number one enemy of American people? Are Russian, Chinese, North Korean or Iranian military might the number one issue for America?, Is immigration issue the number one issue for those people? I am not talking about perceived issued, I am talking about real issues? What is number one issue facing America? A foreign military threat or immigrant problem? No, still it the economy stupid! American workers cannot compete with Chinese low wage and highly motivated, productive well educated well train workers!! Thanks god for corrupt political system in Russia, North Korea or Iran, otherwise Americans can never compete with Iranians workers!!
Rather spending billions in military expenditure, US should solve its educational system. Trained employees who lost jobs to Chinese. Yes stock market is doing great but it does not benefit all Americans only rich. What is biggest issue facing America after economy? Americans not getting alone with each other and this has nothing to do with present legal or illegal immigrants. when America was growing it could absorb immigrants now she has problem taking care of her own, even within white lower class people. To help them government needs to spend money she does not have, so you need to tax the rich to help the poor.
6
Watching Trump and the Republicans, and indeed reading the comments of their supporters here, this line of Orwell’s keeps coming to mind, with all it represents:
“The creatures outside looked from pig to man, and from man to pig, and from pig to man again; but already it was impossible to say which was which.”
16
Boring and disingenuous speech surprised he held it together for so long , since his attention span is so momentary. More of trump boasting and taking credit for what he hasn't done . A 1.5 trillion tax cut for the already wealthy and corporations on the back of the American tax payer . Hypocrisy knows no bounds in Trumpworld . His accomplishments in his first year amount to a hill of beans ( very gassy ones) other than the appalling dismantling of the government , The swamp has gotten more crowded .
12
After listening to the SOTU speech these tasks for the WH Staff to complete with President Trump have been identified: 1 – explain that governing at Presidential level does not mean that you get it all your way; 2 – explain that withholding funding to governments with opinions other than your own only ensures your popularity, support, and trust of the U.S. within those countries will decline; 3 – explain that “pay to play”, i.e. he pays, they play his game his way or go home, is not an effective format to use with those he wants to support his world vision; 4 – explain that the truth does matter and we are not stupid – we hear him, we check what he says, we know he lies.
8
"Trump says words; To continue doing whatever, after"
1
For the first time in almost 20 years I did NOT watch the SOTU address. My mental health is all the better for having skipped it. Why waste my time watching a megalomaniac sociopath spout lie after lie after lie?
16
Let's hope we don't suffer another catastrophic natural event. I'm not particularly eager to see how Donnie's call for unity will play out.
2
"Clean coal" uttered by our oxymoron-in-chief.
23
President Trump - in his first (and hopefully only) S.O.T.U. address last night - sold us all a bill of goods. "Our new American moment"? His "extraordinarily successful" first year? Bumfwad. He spoke from the swamp of the Russian investigation and the immigration crisis, and didn't mention women - (kitty-hats). Trump has sold all the American people down the river - as trouble-making slaves were sold South down the Mississippi River before the Civil War. There ain't no common ground in Washington, DC, these days. Let's stop pretending our ignorant president is a fit leader. He's old mutton dressed as ram.
16
I'm a upper middle class hard working American.
So far I've seen how tax reform will save my hard working dollars and will be going back into the economy.
My 401K has exploded in a good way.
I see corporations are handing out bonus's.
Manufacturing is coming back, that means higher paying jobs.
Yes he's an idiot on twitter but I don't care much about that.
And the Democrats are still losers who cant seem to get it together. I used to support that party, it's hard to believe how far they've fallen.
11
More new jobs were created under Obama in 2016 than under Trump in 2017. The economy under Obama grew at a faster rate in 2014 and in 2015 than under Trump in 2017. The large corporate tax cut did invigorate the stock market, but you will pay for it later with ballooning Federal deficits and diminished domestic spending. In the farm belt commodity prices are at a depression level. Heathcare is an even bigger mess than before and premiums are rising rapidly. Manufactoring is not coming back as you claim. The situation in Afghanistan and North Korea has gotten worse. We have defaulted the pacific rim to China. We have become a laughing stock to the rest of the world - just try traveling somewhere outside the U.S., as an American. DACA is a moral issue that has not been resolved. No effort has been made to repair our crumbling infrastructure. And then their is the coming Constitutional crisis when the Russian investigation is concluded in a couple of months.
7
Watched reruns instead of listening to lies and insults. Nice evening.
4
Passed on the 90 seconds...better things to do
3
Body language tells the only truth.
Pence, Ryan yeah, yeah, let's tell the "story" (fairy tales) and get this charade done with. The military, subdued resentment. The judiciary, stoic displeasure. Trump himself didn't believe a lot of what he was saying.
The room otherwise oddly flat, not buying the fairy tales being told. In spite of the applause, primarily for guests, some egregiously used for political charades.
The distinguishing feature? That "flatness" seems to have been a lack of respect for the President himself. A very very different than previous SOTU's.
Vet sad.
6
Welcome to the second year of Trump University.
Remember last year, Professor Trump, when you told us to look to the left and look to the right because one of us would be gone? Sure, you didn't say it exactly like that. You just talked about carnage and other dispiriting images that were more reminiscent of a dictator rationalizing the hardships he was about to impose on the people, than an American president who had just won an unlikely victory.
Now here it is. Year two and as fate would have it, we're still enrolled in this crazy course on how to destroy the once strongest democracy in the world.
And last night you had the audacity to expect us to believe, that because of yur actions, a new American era is here.
While you, and all of your compliant faculty close their eyes and look the other way, the Americans I know are fed up. We want accountability for your reckless behavior .
Don't mistake the fact that most of us haven't taken to the streets as complacency. We are aware of how damaging the phony curriculum you are pushing has been to our country. And we are working in our neighborhoods and communties to remedy the damage you have caused.
So hear this, President Trump and all of your enablers: Eventually, the votes of the silent majority will hold you accountable and for that privilege, the ability to shut down your ongoing course on how to sow hate and division, I couldn't be more grateful.
16
Trump has not earned the privilege of getting his speech listened to, he lies constantly and attacks the very principles of our democracy on a daily basis, and suddenly we are supposed to listen to his speech? It means nothing.
14
President Trump is not always good, but he was last night much to the chagrin of the pouting liberals in Congress. The president didn’t create the DACA fiasco, but he is the first to offer a real world solution.
12
Really?!!! He did indeed create the fiasco when he revoked DACA. Check your fact, please. The lack of knowledge around policy and issues results in the discourse and diversity sewed by 45 and his gumba's.
1
I have much in common with those who have commented that they did not watch or listen to the SOTU address delivered by President Trump in that I never watched nor listened to a SOTU address delivered by the previous president and by absolutely no means what so ever would listen to one delivered by President Trump's opponent had she won. No way in the world! Thank you.
4
But she did win The American People's Vote.
By three million votes in fact.
The word you're looking for is "D'Oh!"
7
That’s so interesting to learn! Thanks for sharing.
3
@Victorious Yankee,
Fortunately the popular vote does not count in the final outcome. The Founders established the Electoral College so that states with smaller populations would not be defeated by more populated states. I consider their establishment of the EC prophetic for the future of America based on where most of HRC's support came from, states whose values and morals do not resonate with middle America. Thank you. 0
The tone of last night's address wasn't so much about unity than sounding more like campaign rhetoric for the base with midterms approaching. Trump does like to hear himself talk and talk and talk. Listening to a 90 minute State of the Union Address in which nothing new was proposed or revealed was exhausting. It was simply an expanded version of the Donald Trump Show.
11
He is almost as good at dividing the country as his predecessor.
1
After Obama's election the GOP vowed that they would work to make his presidency a failure.
8
No. His predecessor remains the champion...
5
“Tonight, I call upon all of us to set aside our differences, to seek out common ground and to summon the unity we need to deliver for the people...”
So after Trump tears our nation apart, he says we need to set aside our differences? After Obama's election the GOP vowed that they would work to make his presidency a failure. Now Trump and the GOP are in control, they call for bipartisan unity?
Nope. What comes around, goes around.
17
"But Mr. Trump stepped behind the lectern still popular with his most ardent supporters, who see him as an unpredictable and entertaining commander in chief ..."
And that's obviously what the Founders wanted when they devised the office. An unpredictable and entertaining President.
5
Great speech as the polls show 75 percent of Americans approved of it. The dems looked totally anti-American, which is what they are, and only rejoice in complaining about how awful this country, and its white men, really are. I think this will play well for the republicans in the mid-terms. Americans don't want the party of socialism and illegal immigration.
6
More than 75 percent of Americans didn’t even watch it.
Please, enough with silly claims about one “speech” read from a TelePrompTer.
1
"Democrats in the chamber spent much of the speech refraining from applause, scowling at his boasts, and at one point hissing in disapproval at his proposal for restricting the number of family members immigrants can bring to the United States."
Says it all about the real state of the union. Civility can't be maintained even for one hour.
7
In stark contrast to prior state of union speeches of course, with republicans leading the parade of civility!!
3
"“This, in fact, is our new American moment,” Mr. Trump said. “There has never been a better time to start living the American dream.”"...
Does this moment, this dream depend on one man? Will it all depend on how this man changes himself?
trump continues to prove everything negative, truthful aspect of the character of the gop. many, many are well invested in this and the dividends are paid at a cost.
3
The rise of the PumpkinFührer is a direct result of the fear and hatred tactics of the GOP, coupled with the "what-about-me" attitude of the (for now) white majority of reality-TV-watching Americans. A grandson of hard-working immigrants, I was taught to embrace different cultures, as part of the "melting pot" vision of America. My neighbors are Laotians on one side, Alabamians on the other. They both have things to share, teach, and cook. Why are so many people so afraid of the "Other?" The GOP tactics have long included suspicion and fear, disguised as American exceptionalism, which actually contains the seeds of proto-fascism. My only hope is that the backlash against the highly-educated, articulate, compassionate, and astute President we had, which resulted in a petulant, greedy, loud-mouthed puppet-figure, will result in a back-backlash, and we can get America moving back towards tolerance, justice, and equality for all.
8
There could not be a more sinister word at this moment than unity. Unity, in the Trumpian context, means the elimination of dissent.
What irritates me so deeply about Trump and his supporters isn't their odious views so much as the deeply-held belief that opposition to their views is personally offensive and hostile and requires correction.
I didn't like Bush and I certainly didn't like the mechanisms of his party when he was in power, but there is a chasm of difference between underhanded tactics to defeat the opposition, and legitimately wanting to crush and eliminate disagreement.
Trump is weak and sensitive, which makes our dissent powerful -- but it also makes his fury at it very dangerous.
8
I saw just one line of his speech on the TV at the gym. He said "we have taken historic actions to protect religious liberty", and then paused for what must have been at least 30 seconds with this huge smirk on his face while everyone applauded and even stood up. I thought to myself that the only reason he wanted to be president was for moments like that, where he would be showered in praise. Just like an insecure preteen boy. What a president.
8
After watching the speech I have come to the conclusion that Trump is driven by fear.
4
What happened last night?
Trump conned the rust belt dissatisfaction with hollow promises, and won the election.
Last night he tried to con everyone else. Again with hollow promises.
The President/GOP actions to now have all been for the already wealthy in the US. The GOP mega donors, mega lobbyists, mega wealthy individuals. No one else. Each and every action. And nor will they ever be for the ordinary people.
It's all about ACTIONS, not hollow words. Don't be fooled. Again!
6
I didn't watch because: 1) I don't believe a word the man says. 2) He's irresponsible (taxes please?), (3) he has only fake, forced compassion, (4) disrespects women (5) tweets like a child, (6) completely unethical. I refuse to listen to a man who has no character while being supported by an entire party of weaklings. But the main reason i cannot watch him is because of the anger I feel at all those who voted to put this clown in office. I think of them, the fact that he can do no wrong by them, and then call my therapist for another appointment.
11
I watched to remind myself that freedom is not free. I will continue to resist and fight against this presidency.
10
Trump was the personification of hypocrisy and arrogance.
30
Give us a specific example or two of those pernicious generalities.
1
BATLaw:
What about his plan to spend more for nuclear armament?
What about his appeal for unity when, until the day before the SOU speech, he has winked to racist groups?
As if our homeland were a castle and all efforts are dedicated to fending off the vandals,visigoths and daresay immigrants who are intent on destroying the American Way of Life.But we are not all metrosexualls:Native heroism abounds saving us from natural disasters and taking out murderous immigrant gangs.And so it goes
6
I did not watch it. I had hoped Stormy Daniels would have been there to match the tenor of the Trump Administration, but that means the Dems are stooping to his level and not that I think the Dems are an exemplary party right now, but you get the point. As far as unity? Give me a break. I think the majority of the country is united in getting rid of this cretin.
31
Trump's bi-partisanship: Democrats, give in or give up.!
2
As much as wondered how poor Melania would react to being in the same room as Stormy's paramour, I could not subject myself to the bombast, the lies, and the self stroking ego worship. ("I alone ....")
I turned the radio on for 2 minutes this morning getting ready for the train to work - but had to shut it toff (see above)
But I did hear one snippet- his plans to defund transit to fund his so-called infrastructure project.
What a fool - has he traveled by rail through Taiwan or Europe lately ?
This must be how he plans to get even with the blue Northeast Corridor in general and NYC in particular.
Sorry, the jury is back. This guy is beyond redemption.
31
i note like most detractors, you depend on what others tell you rather than listening and deciding for yourself. Oh yes, i guess I forgot you listened for two minutes ...sorry I mis-stated. And by the way a rail system that can serve an entire country due to it's smaller size may be appropriately funded by the federal taxes collected from the entire country's citizenry. In the USA it is better spent on a system which serves the entire country. If the "blue Northeast corridor" can benefit from a rail transit system let the states within that corridor tax its citizens and fund it or let private enterprise do so (we have seen the inefficiency of federal transit management).Had you listened to more than 10 miutes of the POTUS's address you might have heard him clarify that such partnerships would be involved. Oh and your suggestion of dedicating federal funds to highly populated local blue state corridors is a very good reason why we have a thing called the electoral college. Thank you.
Blue states have been and are carrying red states, the grossly disproportionate recipients of "liberal" social progams.
We are getting sick of it.
1
Another boring campaign rally self promotion.
- carefully staged appeal to tribalism,
- credit claimed for Obama's recovery from Republican economic disaster.
- diversion from America's surrender to Russia and China at every opportunity
- platform for carefully staged trolls in the legitimate press.
30
Another cheap show dragging out widows .orphans and sob stories for what purpose. With all due respect to those families who lost loved ones it is still a cheap shot to pad the sideshow with asides rather than real content.
The most stomach turning moments were his sycophants in Congress jumping up and applauding every sentence.
Did he pay them 50 bucks each as he had done at his announcement of candidacy or at his rallies where gift cards from Target or Walmart are dispensed to cheering imbeciles?
21
Amen I thought so, too.
1
There's no way I could stomach watching the Liar in Chief. He has no credibility, no integrity, no honor, and nothing to say that I care to listen to. He's tearing the country apart bit by bit, and with the GOP right there at his side.
18
I didn't watch the speech. I didn't see any point in listening to someone who is known to be a pathological liar.
24
Let's hope it's only a moment. Hurry up, please, Mr. Mueller.
19
Hahahaha - this is a joke, right? FISA.
1
The state of the union is that we have a president with the mind of a twelve year old and a congress that uses him for their Koch bro agenda while hate groups unite and grow unchecked.
19
Acording to Congress, this speech was on the State of the Unicorn (mispelled). (Referring to Trump's button.)
1
Blah, Blah, Blah…… all deceiving rhetoric, filled with lavish oaths delivered by a con artist.
Mr. Trump;
Man is not what he thinks he is, he is what he hides.”
― André Malraux
2018 is the year our history books will cite a historical voter turn out taking back the houses of We the People. It is the beginning of a long journey taking Our government back to the middle.
12
Here's a mental exercise. Try to imagine how a North Korean would fare if he tried to defect to Trump's America.
1
The defector would be welcomed with open arms.
I can't stomach listening, watching this man, makes me sick
16
Someone needs to look into all of Trumps fake Facebook accounts. When commenting on his FB account any person who is a critic to the dictator gets tagged as spam.
8
Fantastic speech! Finally a POTUS for Americans who love this country, understand the necessity for secure borders and respect for our military and law enforcement establishment. On the flip side, I have never in my 77 years seen anything as disgraceful and un-American as the Democrat party hacks, with few exceptions, sitting on their hands and contorting their pinched faces as Trump reminded them and anyone else who had forgotten, what American values represent.
14
So in your 77 years you missed the republican congressman shouting “You lie” during Obama’s state of the union? That was disgraceful.
Never have we had a President who lies so much and has such low respect for our constitution as Trump in office, that is disgraceful. His constant attacks on an independent justice and free press are as un-American as it gets.
4
You really need to read the fact checking of the speech and educate yourself a little (although for anyone paying attention to anything but rhetoric in the last 8 years, fact checking by someone else would be unnecessary). I, for one, thought the Democrats showed great restraint by not inviting Stormy Daniels or leaping out of their seats shouting "you lie!" at the appropriate moments. But those are disgraceful Republican tactics and I suppose you approve of them when Republicans use them.
Also, are you suggesting that "American values" are lies, half-truths, bullying and turning the country fully over to the rich? Because that's what the speech was all about. (Only a real estate developer concerned about his own profits wants to speed up road building so it can plow through neighborhoods, forests, parks, etc, without oversight or accountability to the community). Perhaps you are right. Maybe "me first" is an "American value." But I am glad the Democrats at least did not kowtow to such hypocrisy.
5
In all your 77 years, you can’t remember “ANYTHING as disgraceful and un-American” as Democrats with “pinched faces?” I reckon your memory has blocked out Joe Wilson’s, “You lie!” shout at Presidents Obama. But then again, a scowling face truly is the height of un-Americanism, while a public display of blatant disrespect for a President can be excused or “forgotten.”
Gee, ain’t it funny how selective our memories can be when it serves our purposes?
2
Why did anybody listen? I didn't. Everything Trump says is a lie, except that he believes he's the greatest president since Washington. I'm surprised, given his past statements on Twitter and in public, that Democrats dignified the occasion by attending.
What a sad day for our republic (and certainly its darkest hour): that a real estate conman, sleazy television celebrity, indolent liar, avowed racist, and lech should stand in front of the US Congress and people and lay out policy for our country. And what's even sadder: a Republican party that associates themselves with him and thus endorse in his disgusting behavior and bad policy.
21
Smug self-serving elitist snobs applaud each other on their destruction of the worlds oldest democracy. It's enough to make any decent human being throw up.
They haven't invented a word strong enough to express the utter disgust I feel just looking at them.
I've given up all hope for the future of this once great country. And the only thing that could restore it, would be watching Trump go to jail for the rest of his life after having everything he owns confiscated. And I mean everything.
The man is every despicable human trait congealed into one. And he is by far one of the worst human beings this country has ever produced.
Trump and the GOP have made a God of moral bankruptcy.
17
"worlds oldest democracy."
was Athens some 2500 years ago and first used the word Democracy.
2
And we’re not even a democracy..? Aren’t we a constitutional republic?
The poster child of Fake News, couldn't listen or watch.
11
We went to see The Post. Inspiring.
11
Common Sense: An important film, a vital one to see. I credit Steven Spielberg for making it in such a hurry (with his usual craftsmanship). The audience I saw it with were aging baby boomers like myself but I'm hoping younger generations see it also. Apparently the film had a White House showing where it probably fell on stony faces, glazed eyes and deaf ears. I sincerely hope Oscar bestows it with a Best Picture win, though its scant two nominations probably precludes that from happening. "The Post" is the most important film released in 2017.
1
How can anyone take anything he says seriously? What’s said in the evening is moot in the morning.
10
Not to worry, in 2 or 3 days he'll say the opposite
1
The speech was so long I thought he might take off some time to play 18.
6
Did not watch to support making this the LOWEST RATED State of the Union speech ever. Besides, I already know that the media will praise Trump’s ability to read someone else’s words (Squidward Stephen Miller) from a teleprompter. No thanks.
10
The American people loved it.
CNN and CBS polls both had over 70 percent approval ratings.
Who did not like it. Liberals like the ones who dominate the media.
The most important thing to remember is that independents loved the speech and they will decide who runs congress in the next elections.
All I can say to the NYTimes and other liberals is keep it up and there will not be a red state Democrat left.
God bless our President Trump
13
I saw those polls too and both had numbers like 48% approval. May be you are adding up tallies for those who were neutral about it? Slick move but understandable given the source.
2
I’m sorry, but I failed to see where you listed your bona fides as a spokesperson for “Independents.” But I’m sure your assessment of their reaction to this presentation is absolutely spot on ..... eh, not really. But thanks so much for emulating Mr. Trump with your outlandish claim. I wonder, though, if it doesn’t wear on you to engage in such dissembling day after day.
1
This woman of color (the racist, neo-Marxist Left only wants things in terms of race, sex, gender, blah, blah, blah, boring since they lost the working class so had to build new categories of oppressed) agrees.
Talk about being manipulated! Trump, one of the best used car salesmen on the lot, has just sold a thrice owned vehicle that's been in a major wreck and has had it's odometer reset to zero. Oh, but it has a new paint job, and looks so bright and shiny! I was traumatized watching him do it, and appalled at the other salespeople who cheered like lunatics as he gave his deceit-filled pitch. That car's going to break down a week from now and there's nothing the rest of us can do about it.
10
I muted most of it. I can't stand to hear him speak whether it's off his cuff or from a teleprompter. He was taking a victory lap last night and some of the laps weren't his to take. He pandered. I cannot imagine what the state of our union will be a year from now if he's still in the White House.
9
I have never understood the American infatuation with speeches. Prepared words, most likely written by someone else, read of a teleprompter. What is the purpose of that? It has more in common with an infomercial than anything resembling objective state of affairs. Especially coming from a subject that couldn't tell the truth from a lie, even if he tried.
9
At this point the only possible pivot for Trump is a pivot to the exit. His perfunctory call for unity rings as hollow as his endless string of lies and broken promises. He deems himself to be above the law, and given the current composition of Congress, he is. Trump and congressional Republicans, in their blind lust for power, have jeopardized our nation's security and put the continued existence of our democracy in doubt. Every principle we claim to stand for has been indelibly stained by this regime. This is one of the most shameful episodes in our nations history.
8
I don't think I have ever witnessed a speech that was so insincere, delivered by such an inauthentic person. Most of the time you could tell he didn't believe a word he was saying, especially when talking about the many heroes he lauded in such fake tones.
If you are not convinced that this guy is a conman after giving that speech, God bless ya.
10
That was the greatest State of the Disunion address ever delivered.
6
Let's see what we wake up to on Feb 9.
2
Please don't insult our intelligence with headlines saying that Trump is trying to appeal for unity. JUST STOP
7
President Trump might have read -- off the teleprompter-- the most eloquent speech possible, one that was written for him by someone else. However, based on his past actions and public statements, we all know that his speech "was not him". Why would anyone believe -- or take seriously-- what this man, who is a pathological liar, said. Most State of the Union Speeches are not all that memorable, except for Presidential historians. Those who keep records on such "utterances" should give this one an asterisk -- for lack of veracity.
4
I did not see the Democrats response- I had to get up early for work , we are really BUSY
1
Thanks to President Obama's economy.
Sorry he's the wrong color.
4
Believe what you want , people are working , but the Democrats are miserable , why cant they even celebrate anything good ?
1
I thought a poorly scripted reality television episode ran 60 minutes. But, I suppose the “president” needed more time to produce this carnival side show.
5
I watched the 1933 "King Kong" last night rather than the live one on another station.....why watch the speech....everything he said would be changed by him in the coming days.
4
Please don’t insult King Kong. Kong was a sincere and noble soul.
4
If he could just ever not claim something that's not factual, like his tax plan, its not the largest ever done in history. Its around 4th or 5th. I am surprised he hasn't claimed to have had some part of helping GOD creating the universe. In his mind, On January 20,2017 he landed on the eastern shores of this land, gave it the name America, and its the great country solely because of him. We have been told (by him) he is the smartest person in the room. A stable genius. What next, will he tell us next we have air, water, and food only because of him. I just don't believe a single word that comes out of his mouth or a tweet. Not one single occupier of the White House could claim to always be the smartest person in the room, or did the try. But this person by doing so, just makes it hard to believe he understands real life.
6
The only enlightening moments I saw where the constant glares from the First Lady to the President during his entire address. Even her hand clapping was tepid at best. I guess being publically humiliated could have that effect on a spouse.
6
I’m not American so maybe I’m missing something here; this fellow has demonstrated he has no credibility because of his thousands of lies and flip flops from one day to the next, and it’s obvious he read a speech he didn’t write and could never have written; he lacks any modicum of truth, decency and honour. So why on earth does anyone bother to listen.
5
Bravo Mr. President, excellent job!
6
He can read like a big boy...wahoooo!
If president pornstar was in the room when that speech was written I'll unite with the koch owned gop today.
1
So how much money did his 2020 campaign bring in last night?
2
Apart from some reporters, not a single loyal, courageous and decent American attended the Traitors' State of the Union Address.
The audience was compromised entirely of Russian-Republicans and Quisling-Democrats.
Democracy in America has passed into history and the American Empire will follow very soon.
1
Trump wants the public's focus on a "memo" and forget the obstruction of justice investigation, his ties with Russia, and .... We saw a Con artist in action last night
1
Didn't watch and didn't expect to get a balanced viewpoint here, but the hate on this comment board is nothing short of the man they hate themselves. Geez. Hate is hate - and it's really gotten sickening.
4
He reaps what he sows.
1
Trump’s crowing about both his wealth and the nation’s economy reminds me of how Texas Gov. Ann Richards once said of President George H.W. Bush: “He was born on third base and thought he hit a triple.”
Trump’s father, once one of the richest men in America, gave him $14 million through several loans to help him get started in real estate.
And President Obama, one of the greatest presidents of America, gave Trump a strong, long-rising economy that’s continued on its upward projection, as well as a low unemployment rate that’s continued on its downward path.
Trump, well done! No, not for your wealth or the economy. For your astonishing gall.
4
I think that was actually Jim HIghtower, by way of Barry Switzer, but the sentiment is highly appropriate. And somehow, Trump has managed to get picked off third four times so far. (Ann Richards said "Poor George, he was born with a silver foot in his mouth")
1
Still waiting to hear a word about Heather Heye, the woman killed in Charlottesville, VA, was her part of the one American family? Or she didn't matter? Her death was a direct consequence of his hate but now he loves everybody?
2
Crying out for unity from behind a speech crafted in part by Stephen Miller...yeah right. Miller's hopes to de-brown the US will never come to fruition as social and economic policies backed by Koch and spear headed by Ryan have the made the US extremely unattractive to a white European who enjoys universal healthcare, almost a year of paid family leave and doesn't deal with CEOs who's salary is around 350 times more than the average worker.
2
This was POTUS at his best.
If not a home run, he had a stand up triple with bases loaded. 3 RBI's - not bad at all.
Mr Reagan who took this art of a shout out to Oscar proportions in his addresses - well, this POTUS gave him a run for the money. May be not an Oscar - but definitely a nomination.
He delivered well, stuck to the teleprompter and made very few off script - except "he is a good welder."
All in all, he put his enemies wondering again, did we misunderestimate him and his supporters saying "I told you so."
Having learnt "less is more" during Schumacher shutdown - hopefully, he will lay off tweeter to take attention away from his solid State.
He is allowed to tweet self congratulations or if he really wants to get away - take his boy to school that will stop his fingers from keyboards.
And his offer on immigration totally disarmed his enemies - and shifted conversation from DACA to protections of 330 million Americans.
All in all, a good show.
It appears that his acing of cognitive tests was not staged after all.
5
Sorry, but this president has a knack for turning ball four into strike 3.
1
Of a North Korean defector he said "Today he lives in Seoul, where he rescues other defectors, and broadcasts into North Korea what the regime fears the most ‑- the truth."
Takes one to know one. The fake president and his cohorts share that fear. Hide the truth at all costs. Fire all the people investigating the Russian hacking of our election. Publish the republican memo aimed at defaming the FBI and law enforcement while preventing the democrats from releasing their own. Lies, deceit, and obfuscation are the new MO for the defenders of the oligarchy.
And they call the North Korean leader depraved?
4
Look at the Democrat reactions in the audience. Pelosi, Schumer, Sanders, and the entire black caucus. Their hatred for the president is palpable. The same Democrats who lauded Obama for the farce that is Obamacare and less than 2% economic growth over 8 years are now excoriating Trump despite in excess of 3% growth over the last 3 quarters, and a tax plan that has prompted dozens of American corporations to issue bonuses and start the expansion of plants and jobs. Face, it, Trump could cure cancer and the Democrats would still complain. Some people just can't stand or admit success when it pokes them in the eye.
9
Jobs added are LESS than the previous 7 years. Wage growth has SLOWED in the last year. I don't think you would recognize a fact when it poked you in the eye.
1
All studies show that it takes at least 2 years after significant laws being passed for the economy to react to them. So, the economic growth has little to do with Trump and more the momentum that Obama built after going into office when the Global Financial Crisis about to happen.
If Trump cured cancer, I'm sure the world would be very grateful.
4
Sorry, but if Trump cured cancer, I don't think anyone would complain. Your dismissal of anyone who dislikes Trump is small-minded and "fake."
1
The only good thing about the speech last night is it is most likely to be the last one from this disgrace of a "President". After he is indicted and impeached I would like a continuous loop of the bobble-headed Paul Ryan nodding, smiling and clapping at the lies and bluster from Trump.
2
Change the immigration law we will end up like Japan with an aging population and unable to pay our bills. Japan won't open up their immigration. Women are not having babies. The median age in Japan is 46.9 years, the second in the world, tied with Germany. No wonder Angela Merkel brought in over a million refugees which Trump thought was a crazy idea. But Germany realized that without immigration they are doomed. In the U.S. the median age is 37.9 years ranked 62nd in the world. If Trump gets his way we will move closer to Germany and Japan and will be unable to pay our national bills. Stock market been diving for the last two days. Did Trump claim that?
Japan has gone from 95 million people in 1960 to 92 million today. During that same time period the US has gone from 180 million to 323 million people. We are in no way like Japan.
2
You prove my point without realizing it. How did we get that way? Our population has been increasing due to immigration. We changed the immigration law back in 1965. That's when we started increasing the population of the U.S. Before that we were basically doing what Trump is suggesting. We were only allowing those with skills. The Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882 was broadened to exclude all Asians except for Filipinos who were part of the then U.S. territory. And were needed to work in sugarcane fields in Hawaii. If you took time to do some research you will better understand my point. We grew due to immigration. How many of your friends have five kids per family? The modern day American woman is not going back to the 1950s to make lots of babies. The only way out is chain immigration that Trump, being short-sighted, wants to get rid of.
State of the Union theater, as expected Trump stayed on message with hyped pronouncements of his phenomenal successes in the first year of his presidency.
Now America can get on with the day to day chaos of Trump’s incompetence and fractured governance and the incessantly dysfunctional cross-isle vitriol that dominates the Congress.
Next chance for an American get out of jail card — the midterm elections. Hopefully the Democrats can find real balance and relevance and a credible ground game verses a deep dive into the impossibly liberal left. The challenges will be manifold and considerable.
3
"I try to be cynical but I just can't keep up." - Lily Tomlin
4
Pandering to the American Dream, considering Trump's actions to deport Dreamers, is pretty incredible. The best part is the picture of Ryan and Pence applauding Trump at the end: they look like proud parents who are thrilled that their baby made a speech.
1
Reading the commentary tweets and comments, the reaction, it seems like this is a moment to review all that so many of us, a majority, are truly more and more alarmed about each day about the true state of this union. It awakens us (as if we were allowed to sleep!) again about the situation at the topmost levels, starting from our lying disreputable president to the enabling Congress. At this moment, the state of things, the trajectory, does not look fine. The predicament this country finds itself in is very worrisome.
2
One of the best lines in President Trump's address was when he said ALL Americans are DREAMERS. How can anyone argue with this fact. We all have dreams and ambitions that we want to fulfill in this country. That should be our goal in life.
5
Good speech. Better than good. Somewhat historic. He is a great president - and you know that because he says things that are serious, and he follows through. He wants the best for American citizens. He believes in the American citizen. He knows that all those who work on the hill work for the American citizen. An that is an historic breakthrough, brought to you by Mr. Trump. Thank you, Mr. President.
4
The naivety is shocking if you truly believe this.
1
The speech puts me in mind of a phrase my mother used to use:
"That man called us everything but a child of God"
SO..
Now that he's insulted everyone he comes in contact with.
Now that he's constructed derogatory epithets for anyone who doesn't remain subservient to him,
Now that he's tried to put himself as the master of every branch of government in an attempt destroy the system of checks and balances,
Now that he's shown contempt for anyone who isn't him,
Now that he's shown contempt for the press, the courts and the legislature and sneered at the constitution.
Now that he's burned every bridge that might lead to good will,
NOW he wants unity.
Good luck with that.
5
Trump's idea of a deal is he gets everything he wants and the other side agrees. Had he started his presidency by acknowledging he lost the popular vote and therefore would integrate some people to his cabinet from the other side in one or two posts, he would have shown he is willing to do "unity".
Instead he rules as if he won 48 of the 50 States, and caters only to his very special interest groups which includes Russia.
2
63 percent of Americans are remarkably undivided on what's best for the future of the country: No Trump.
3
His actions and tweets speak louder than a speech written by someone else.
5
It is near impossible for this American, to separate Trump from the Text of his first State Union Address to the Nation; the latter with all that one might hope to read, hoping that this Administration and Governance make the majority of these ventures into realities.
But Trump lies in the way. His hurtful and unbecoming behavior toward the Public, We The People and its representatives, our Allies, make him unfit, incompetent, unable and dangerous to serve as our Leader. Let us go forward in the Spirit of what is best for our Country, remembering that once in awhile, the Moon is Blue, but The Sun always rises.
Looking forward to cashing my 1000 dollar bonus check. Great speech and hopefully we can now get an enforced immigration policy.
5
Was I wrong to expect that a scripted speech would not be as replete with lies as his off-the-cuff rallies? There's just no excuse.
I wish some of the media outlets, who have the script in advance, would provide the fact checking in real time.
1
Trump has spent over a year showing us who he is.
I believe him.
If the third rate team surrounding him think they can change that with a speech they are sadly mistaken.
4
Trump directed his speech to his base, He stressed the need to protect gun rights, burn coal, build the strongest military and nuclear arsenal in the world,a border wall, policies to keep out immigrants, open Guantanamo, and be proud to worship the flag, God and USA, He also stated that any country that is not a friend of USA is our enemy and they will be punished and defeated. For almost every minute of this speech he faced his GOP supporters who eventually broke out chanting "USA". A few times, with a smirk on his face, he turned and faced Dems, offering a "crumb" of bipartisanship on an issue such as paid family leave, He gestured to them almost mockingly to stand and applaud his words, Like all Presidents before him he praised the military, firefighters and police to gain public favor. Most significantly he left out the rights of women, LGBTQ, Muslims and movements such as Black Lives Matter Me Too and ignored Russian election interference and global warming, This was perhaps one of the most divisive State of the Union Address in more than a century, It was a speech that left me feeling angry, sad and alarmed for the future of our country and democracy,
2
No speech that Donald Trump gives, in no matter how grand a setting, will eclipse his "American carnage" Inaugural Address. He will be remembered as the most divisive and bizarre president in our nation's history.
5
It doesn't make a difference, when people become politicians in D.C., they quickly become part of the Swamp. They have their own unique way of enriching themselves. The days of emulating Harry Truman are long over. Useless to rant over Trump or before that Obama. It makes no difference whatsoever, but does give one a sense of having done something, albeit for passing moment.
1
I liked the part where rump paused dramatically when detailing his tax plan's benefits to businesses and described a tax cut: "$4,000! That's a lot of money." (His wife's trip to Florida for a spa treatment cost taxpayers over $60,000.)
2
Trump stole the Supreme Court pick from president Obama with help from Mitch McConnell. No democrat or champion of justice and fair play can ever forget or forgive this act. It is the equivalent of cheating on your sat test or lying about your armed service record. Trumps approval record may be at 37 %. However, there is plenty of room to fall. Especially when the damages come home to roost.
1
The only path to unity and normal government is with him out the door.
2
I was waiting for an update on Puerto Rico, like when is electricity going to be restored for everyone?
4
He sure didn't sound like someone who lost the popular vote by 3 million votes. Let me repeat that: 3 million.
2
And who divided the nation? Not the left, nor even the right, but the man in the oval office.
2
I cannot give our president the benefit of the doubt. In his SOTU address, Trump repeatedly uses the "American dream theme" to marginalize the plight of young Americans, Dreamers, who are in the fights of their lives..his "all inclusive" theme purports the same kind of message as the hashtag "white lives matter"...
1
Our new American moment will not arrive until trump is removed from office. Whether he resigns or is impeached, there will be a reckoning. There can be no common ground with one so manifestly unfit for office. Voters must send packing all who have enabled this dishonest, racist clown. He is an affront to the angels of our better nature.
1
I'd never seen such a group of fawning brown nosers as the Republicans in attendance. If Trump had said, "I'm nuking Perth, Australia, the farthest city from D.C., to show North Korea how well our weapons work," they would have given him another standing ovation.
2
"Appeal for unity" - translation in Trumpland - "Do as I say; do what I want or I will castigate and name call you on Twitter."
1
When you have a man that changes his feeble mind at a momrmt’s notice, his can you talk with him, trust him, make a deal with him....
Answer : you cannot.
1
One of the more interesting aspects of this SOTU address was the outrageous televised performance by Congressional Democrats for all the world to see:
1. They refused to stand and acknowledge the parents of the two murdered girls in Long Island.
2. The CBC sat there in sullen defiance when Trump announced black unemployment is the lowest in history.
3. I could cite many other examples from last night, but the list goes on and on.
And then they brought on yet another Kennedy to provide a sophomoric rebuttal which was more like watching a 7th grade student auditioning for a high school play. This is all you've got and the best you can do against the POTUS? Simply pathetic.
Dems, you've got a career-ending problem. You're led by a team of recalcitrant elderly people who have zero new ideas. They are as dead on arrival as the body in the hospital with the toe tag that says Do Not Resuscitate.
It is no wonder that you are always on the outside of Congress and the Oval Office and looking in.
3
Reruns of Family Guy, Andy Griffith and Mash were just more important than this SOTU sham.
2
A grand new American moment....the first time we voted to give good old dyed in the wool fascistic leadership a try.
1
I spent last evening watching "Don Giovanni" by the Metropolitan Opera and hearing some beautiful music in Mozart's classic opera about a fictitious misogynist, rather than listen to a real misogynist and hear his ugly lies.
10
You and I obviously are not part of the 42% of which 34 are his staunch mindless supporters who agree with this unfortunate choice we have as our minority president.
Mozart over the:"trumpeter" and his propoganda machine anytime.
Goebells is still at it.
3
I didn't watch. Remember the Gold Star family he dissed? I do. I'd sooner eat rat poison than listen to this creep.
16
A State of the (dis)Uniom [sic] by a president without credibility. His continuing reputation for dishonesty shadows and foreshadows him . . .
6
"It's Even Worse Than You Think" a new book by David Cay Johnston is must reading for us all.
1
This so-called continues to take credit or make false claims regarding issues that really he doesn't deserve. I have an example, recently I had a minor procedure done to correct a trigger finger issue, it required a few stiches. Now if I had to see another Doctor during a follow up visit to see how the recovery was going, it would be wrong for him to talk like when it was all said and healed because of him my trigger finger issue would be much better if not completely fixed. Why would he think that, he did nothing to actually fix the problem. Why would he expect any credit. He doesn't get any and why neither does this "so-called". A lot of the positive economy belongs to #44.
4
Happy to say I caught up with some sleep. Then I turned the channel soon as they replayed that imbecile speaking at his six year old pace.
But the editorials cover it. No mention of gun control, climate change, Russia investigation and plenty of lies.
6
I hope that Robert Mueller will act very soon and this is the only speech to the nation of the liar in chief ... let's not forget that Trump avoid sanctioning Russia
14
Is this the newest criteria for president- entertainer in chief?
8
Relax America. The ""Donald" can read! Been a concern;
3
I did not watch the speech. Trump is a liar and a sleaze. I'm not interested in anything he has to say except "guilty" your honor.
12
It's all Britain's fault ! When our forefathers set up your Constitution way back they didnt want a King ruling the waves. Instead they invented a President. But what is the point in having a President who doesn't have a Congress behind him. You should adopt our system of the House of Commons where the leader of the largest party (with fellow supporters if necessary) becomes Top Man (or Woman) and leads the way. After all more people voted for Hilary we are told than voted for Trump (it can happen here too where more people vote AGAINST the ruling party than vote for them with, as with you, the distribution of those votes is such that the other party wins). But at least the House of Commons can vote down policy if it wishes just as Congress can vote down the President. But thats likely to generate a General Election on important policy whereas it seems you cant generate a situation to have a new President. So maybe its time for change !!!!!?
Good luck anyway with what you have. Not building the fall out shelter yet !!¬!
2
Taking a look at England, nobody is going to hold it up as a model for anything today. Get your own house in order.
2
We knew his SOTU would be a work of fiction.
7
Still a lying, conman, gasbag surrounded by enablers as he spews his special brand of poisonous word garbage.
The SOTU is broken and Twitler keeps widening the chasm.
16
A paranoid narcissist preaching to a choir filled with cowards. There has never been a worse time to begin living the American dream.
33
I don't know, Tom. 1776, 1861, 1929, and 1941 were pretty bad years for Americans, too.
At no time during the years you cite did the leader of the United States collude with a foreign government to undermine democracy nor hold democratic principles in utter contempt.
1
Trump throws fire crackers then tells everyone to calm down, repeat, repeat, repeat. We know Trump is incapable of stopping his desire to throw those fire crackers, so there is no moving forward. There will be no unity with him in office.
15
But was the compulsively lying, traitorous, money laundering, racist, misogynistic, ignorant of facts president's speech "presidential"?
14
Why do we need two border walls? Isn’t Mexico building one for us as POTEC promised?
6
And no doubt Canada will pay for theirs just like Mexico will...
1
Great statement!
1
I have to admit I fell asleep during the speech right after he congratulated himself for a wonderful economy, so I missed the part where he started beating the war drums and all the Republicans stood in unison, began salivating, and did a rehearsed performance piece akin to the zombie dance in Michael Jackson's Thriller. I hope to catch it on YouTube today, in reruns. As a veteran who did not shirk duty but volunteered, it disgusts me when Trump wraps himself in the flag, praises the vets, and lauds "warriors". My time in service gave me bonespurs but I would gladly do it all over again. Trump may see the only way to save his warped Presidency is to start a war with North Korea. He might believe it will get him reelected. He might as well also start planning a land war with China. Opening salvo could be a massive early morning surprise tweetstorm. A war on the Korean peninsula will be a disaster for both the nation and the world. Especially with this moron in charge.
12
What’s so bad about rising employment, a growing economy or the developing defeat of ISIS? Let’s be generous to the Dreamers and let’s root out murderous criminals. And while we’re at it, let’s rebuild the military and the infrastructure. That’s what the Republicans are offering and within the context of a State of the Union Address, it was absolutely legit. The Democrats? Pelosi, Schumer, Booker, et al., looked like they were sucking lemons, even while Trump highlighted actual improvements like African-American employment. Who do they offer up to deliver their response? A Kennedy. I guess they ran out of Clintons.
6
Larry, you just listed Obama's achievements. The strategy and effort to defeat Isis was well under way and succeeding and the economy grew more the last 6 years under Obama than last year. Plus more jobs were created in 2016 than 2017.
1
All evidence shows lack of ability to change his behavior Just because he says so, ?
He’s a slick used car salesman.
2
what "murderous criminals"?
why does our military need "rebuilding"?
why didn't Republicans want to rebuild infrastructure under Obama?
1
"New America"
Brown, Black, Dreamers, Poor, Disinfranchised need not apply.....
Welcome to Trump's America
10
If Trump wants Americans to unite, I would suggest he do something on which a vast majority of Americans agree - resign.
48
I didn't watch the latest episode of the Trump Show, and I am quite certain I will never again watch/listen to another of his speeches, no matter the context or setting, except maybe his final statement before they usher him out, which can't happen soon enough. It would be nice if most of his cabinet would go with him.
33
His voice his speech make me sick. I turn the radio dial in the car when his voice comes on.
1
Ditto. It's the only patriotic thing to do. When a tyrant has taken over the government and Congress refuses to act as checks and balances, it's time to shut off the screen... and take to the streets.
2
I just got a notice in the mail 2 days ago saying my federal withholding will decrease by $230 a month. In essence, I got an increase in pension of $230 a month. A pay raise, with no help from Democrats. It’s a Trump pay raise.
Democrats put a silver spoon in his mouth Kennedy to counter The President’s speech. What would a trust fund Kennedy know?
8
Don't worry, you'll pay for it. You believe this lying charlatan? And your tax cut is not permanent.
7
How nice for you! My taxes went up by about the same amount. Would you like to send me your money? Didn't think so.
5
They got you! Wait til the shoe drops and your Medicare gets cut by $ 300 a month or = then call us.
And ask your grandkids what type of America they want to live in: broke living or borrowed $ ( fir your “raise”) and polluted ,so badly that Medicare cannot help.
Ha ha ha the last laugh will be theirs
3
Sorry, did not watch it, wont watch it. Interesting that the speech is not trending in YouTube either, unlike the Oprah speech at the globes, which trended for 3 days as the most watched video. Like many he makes me sick to my stomach to listen to and I avoid listening directly to him whenever possible. As Michael Phelps always says, I focus on my lane. This American moment is temporary and not for me.
16
Though last night's SOTU speech was ostensibly in English, it was quite apparent that our ears hear this language, minimally, as two separate lexicons, that if mapped as a Venn diagram circles, blue and red, would only touch tangentially.
What I heard in that speech was a formal rendition of President Trump's unwavering America First political vision that he has been repeating since announcing his bid for the presidency on June 16, 2015. Last night this putting of America First, recast as a New American Moment, was best summarized as "Americans are dreamers, too."
While this perspective may seem as vile sounding babel to the those with blue ears, what I heard, with my red ears, was a revolutionary return to a principle that before I can serve my neighbors best that I must first put my house in order.
As for what I observed in the well of the House is a country in the midst of a not so cold civil war, domestically over borders and bridges, and internationally, nationalism versus globalism.
President Trump, for better or worse, with elbows flying, displayed that this most unexpected revolutionary, has at last become a president that is acting with confidence, purpose, and an unrepentant personality like none that has ever sat in the oval office before.
God speed Mr. President.
MAGA.
9
I boycotted the speech, and went to the movies, and saw "The Post" for the second time. My god what a fabulous movie. I recommend that everyone see it.
As a historian of Vietnam, the focus on the tragic Vietnam-America War, and the importance of the Pentagon Papers publication by the NYT and then the Washington Post, made me proud of the real heros of the story, and of the humble efforts of those of us who write about the Vietnamese.
x
David Lindsay Jr. is the author of "The Tay Son Rebellion, Historical Fiction of Eighteenth-century Vietnam," and blogs at The TaySonRebellion.com and InconvenientNewsWorldwide.wordpress.com
12
@David Lindsey: Yes, I also think that a second viewing of The Post is a far better way to spend your time. It's good to remind ourselves of the days when not all Republicans were selfish, blind sycophants without a care for anyone but themselves.
2
"Rivals China and Russia that challenge our interests, economy, and values." We know about Russia for a long time, but if China is such a threat, why do we see an overwhelming majority of our consumer goods being made there?! Billions of our hard earned money is sent there! Which is a significant reason for our deficit! That is a very serious, complicated, and multi faceted issue! I heard nothing in President Trump's speech that addressed that, but I heard a lot of bluster, and got more of a sense that our personal safety is under siege, rather than our economy!
4
When I could no longer stand watching him, at least there was MMA to watch. It wasn't a difficult choice.
7
‘This Is Our New American Moment’
I thought the phrase sounded familiar when I heard he was to use it in his speech. Apparently his "speech writers" know how to google:
"No matter how daunting our challenges may be, I have a steadfast faith in our country and our people, and I am proud to be an American at the dawning of this new American moment," Clinton said at the time towards the end of her speech.
Clinton also used the phrase in 2010 during a speech on foreign policy.
13
At least he's plagiarizing from someone smart. The worst moment happen when he relies on his own "genius."
2
An inspiring speech from a great American leader.
I am so happy to have a President who keeps his campaign promises.
This guy is an absolute lock for 4 more years. Everyone I know thought it was a fantastic, positive and uplifting speech.
7
Campaign promises? You mean he explained how Mexico is going to pay for the wall? He divested from his businesses and released his tax returns?
2
"Everyone I know thought it was a fantastic, positive and uplifting speech."
Um, you need to get out more, and cultivate a more enlightened circle of friends.
3
what campaign promises has he kept?
Guess I missed it when he promised to play a lot of golf and make himself a lot of money
3
Private companies hired another 234,000 in January, well above expectations for 185,000, according to ADP and Moody's Analytics.
Service-related industries led with 212,000 new jobs, though manufacturing added 12,000 and construction 9,000.
The report often differs significantly from the government's more closely watched nonfarm payrolls count, with ADP reporting growth of 242,000 in December vs. the Labor Department's 148,000.
1
What the media, left, center & right doesn't get it is that most non-hysterical Americans are disgusted with both parties. Neither one represents the true center of our nation. On balance, Americans believe in the platform of former President Obama, but decry his lack of follow through. And while supporting most of the general thrusts of the 'Women's March on Washington', they wonder why very little has happened during the eight years of President Obama. Yes, they are embarrassed with President Trump, but it doesn't obviate the belief that the leadership of both parties are more interested in their own 'self' and not that of everyday Americans.
A large-scale Gallup Poll conducted last year concluded that most important thing that Americans wanted was "Better Government". The reason that neither party was interested in that poll is that they're more interested in the power aspect of being in power, and not in governing for and by the people. In effect, 'representing the people' is simply the expected rhetoric for a 'game' that is played out by the political class.
Power Corrupts. Absolute Power Corrupts Absolutely.
3
Republicans have controlled the Senate since 2010.
If you want to blame someone for "lack of follow through" and "nothing happening" start with them
1
We all saw history last night. It was Trumps first SOTU speech and his last.
And if I was a Republican I wouldn’t get too carried away that Pence will deliver the next SOTU speech. Pence might very well be ensnared and complicit in Obstruction of Justice, possibly a conspiracy charge as well.
8
As usual, the promises he makes come unaccompanied by any hint of a realistic plan for their implementation.
5
What was sad about the whole spectacle, was how many Americans he dragged to the speech, really just to use them elicit responses.
it was a lot of eye and ear candy, meant for the child-like mentality of his base.
it also gave mainline GOP'ers a sense of relief that he really didn't say anything.
6
Cut taxes and spend. Spend, spend, spend. Borrow,borrow, borrow. -- Trump, the fiscally irresponsible GOP president.
5
Extraordinary Success?
How about extreme.
He wants to build coalitions
But he builds walls.
He claims he could shoot someone in the middle of 5th avenue and his base would still vote for him.
What he doesn't say or know:
He has been so divisive, polarizing, untruthful, unreasonable, that even if he managed to change, the other 65% of the country has been so alienated that there is no way they would change their mind about him!
4
I didn't invest the time in watching the self-aggrandizing of DT. I chose to watch an X-Files rerun. Its more reality-based.
5
I will take off me partisan colored glasses for a moment and critique unbiased
what I heard and what I thought of the claims presented.
I heard a lot of claims and boasts, but even the fact checkers today are giving their punditry new heights by picking apart the falsehoods and lies.
The economy ( and tax cuts ) were the main gist of every word spoken and it was characterized as if the United States only started to exist 365 days ago. If there was mention of the previous 8 years, it was only set up in negative terms that nothing at all good ever happened. The economy is chugging along a roughly the same percentage as the last 8 years, so there is nothing new. ( the tax cuts do not kick in until next year's returns )
The other main vein of the speech was nationalism. ( celebrating veterans, heroes and denigrating immigrants\people of color ) Undocumented people were portrayed a gang members and killers. Essentially this administration wants to shut the door on all immigration, except for white Europeans or people under certain visas that will work for indentured wages.
It was a lot of Rah Rah ( like all SotU speeches ) but it was also a lot of divisiveness, instead of inclusive rhetoric. It was approximately what I expected.
However, I never take anything what the man says as gospel and wait to see what he actually does. Much like how he responds under oath with potential perjury if he does not answer truthfully.
Much like what he will have to do very soon.
4
I wouldn’t buy a used car from this con artist. It doesn’t matter what he said last night because by Friday he’ll be denying he said 1/3 of what he said, changing his mind about another third of what he said, and modifying the last third of what he said.
What he will do is continue to drive the country toward an oligarchy of the 0.001 percent with republican tax cut proposals and strive to carry out the proposals and ambitions of his two big fellow con artist used car salesmen in Congress, Ryan and McConnell to privatize Social Security, eliminate Medicaid and Medicare, privatize the Interstate Highway system, spent some billions on his ridiculous wall, fail to improve our infrastructure of rail, bridges, and electrical delivery systems and continue to recommend unqualified persons for federal agencies and his cabinet and stuff the judiciary system with as many far right, ultra conservative judges to completely destroy decades of progress started by FDR to achieve some sense of balance to an out-of-control, free enterprise capitalist system that brought on the Great Depression.
3
I as a Canadian looking on this morning, have this to add. “Tonight, I call upon all of us to set aside our differences, to seek out common ground and to summon the unity we need to deliver for the people,” He said this, but failed to elaborate on what Common Ground actually should be. If finding common ground is the key to build a bridge, instead of knocking it down, what would be the ingredients for finding Common Ground? In Canada, our PM speaks of Diversity is what makes us unique as Canadians, and our acceptance of the diversified cultures is what keeps us strong. Again what is defining Common Ground? Let's look at it through a perspective beginning with what we all have in common with other cultures. We all Love our Children, and we want the best for their Futures and their Children's Children. We all have our Traditions that we love when our families gather together to celebrate these traditions. We all want a better life and understanding of the world around us, to teach our children to think and act for themselves, in positive ways. We can teach them to think critically, laterally, and analytically, so they do not succumb to distract, deflect, divide and conquer mentalities. Tumpfff failed to carry the Common Ground. Talk of strengthening military budgets and creation of a bigger army is divisive. To that end, his speech failed miserably! Nothing new there
6
I love our Canadian neighbors, and would move there in a heartbeat if I could!
1
I don't usually agree with Mr. Trump but I do like his idea of tossing in prison those who supply drugs illicitly.
Of course, as the most frequent suppliers of prescription opioids to those who use them illegally are family members, friends, and physicians, we're going to have an interesting new mix of people serving time in the old gray bar hotel.
But we do need new approaches to the problem so why not try it. And as many want to punish doctors who do abortions, why not punish those whose prescribing practices have helped create the opioid epidemic.
3
It would never really work because the folks most deserving of punishment are those in Big Pharm. Half of Congress has taken money from this industry, so their interests are protected.
What will happen is like you said, family and friends will bear the brunt of this "crackdown" further fueling the private prison sector and creating chaos for families.
Not exactly the way you go about creating unity as Trump spoke about in his SOTU speech.
1
What a bunch of sour mean spirited scowling elected reps. It was embarrassing to watch those democrats . What is everyone complaining about? Bill Clinton spoke about illegal immigration in the same way as Trump and everyone applauded. These people are hypocrites and sore losers. I hate them.
7
For all the political observers that only started watching this year. Go back to Obama speeches. Just one and compare the behavior of "those republicans".
1
President Trump had a fantastic first year in office. The stock market hit highs 70 times, tax reform. Home Depot and Wal Mart giving out trickle down bonuses, the lowest African American unemployment in history, illegal immigration down by 70%, ISIS almost completely wiped out. This is a Liberals worst nightmare.
4
I refuse to listen to anything coming directly out of his mouth; what's the point? Better to read about it here for my daily dose of disgust.
1
Missed the part where he told us how much money he has made because of the policies he has followed. Missed the part where he released his tax returns so we could finally understand the relationship between Trump businesses and the Trump government. For example, how is Donald Trump Inc. affected by the tariffs he just slapped on Korean washing machines? Also missed the part where he explained why Americans are continuing to fight and die in Afghanistan and when he is going to end the wasted war begun by the last Republican president.
437
Missed the part where he described the US approach to controlling our CO2 pollution or the US approach to a national renewable energy plan that costs less than any fossil fuel system and, most of all, missed the part where he described the US approach to solve the mass murders in schools, churches, theaters, highways and concerts. Also missed the sense of truth, caring and sincerity that forms the foundation of a real leader.
6
The people who voted for Trump and/or support him don't want to see his tax returns. We are satisfied that he was truthful when he said he pays as little taxes as legal. If he had broken the law, the IRS would have prosecuted him for tax evasion.
He did not point out that the Obama/Hillary policy of giving weapons to Libyans in order to effect regime change were used to assassinate Ambassador Stevens and to arm ISIS. That little boo-boo along with informing ISIS of the time table for US forces withdrawal from Iraq and Afghanistan is what created ISIS. Obama was forced to return American forces to Iraq and Afghanistan after his decision to squander American blood and treasure already spent in order to fraudulently advance his personal re-election. Trump did mention that Iraq has been reclaimed from ISIS during his Presidency. Unlike Obama, he did not focus on blaming his predecessor. Trump is classier than Obama, who blamed Bush for his own policy failures.
Brilliant!!
Even after a year, I still cannot believe this imbecile is the President of my country.
26
"The Scorge of Pennsylvania Avenue" starring Donald J Trump (the J stands for Genius). Coming soon to a special prosecutor near you!!
4
The great divider wants unity?
First he came for the Communists, and You did not speak out—
Because You were not a Communist.
Then he came for the Muslims, and You did not speak out—
Because You were not a Muslim
Then he came for the Hispanics and You did not speak out—
Because You were not a Hispanics..
Then he came for the Poor and You did not speak out —
Because You were not Poor.
Then je came for the Disabled and You did not speak out –
Because You were not Disabled.
Then he came for the Jews, and You did not speak out—
Because You were not a Jew.
Then he came for the Elderly, and You did not speak out –
Because You were not Elderly.
Then he came for You—and there was no one left to speak for You.
( a variation on Martin Niemoller's famous poem).
6
First they enforced the laws and came for those here illegally, and I did not speak out because I am a citizen.
Then they came for the... wait a second- they did not go after anyone else because this is the real world and not a poem.
So...
The Birther in Chief who said Neo-Nazis were good people, who attacked Judge Curiel for his bias because he was Hispanic, who is a sexual predator according to 11 women, and condones others who do it (Roy Moore), and who uses the lives of DACA kids to bargain to get what he wants.
...wants Americans to come together and make nice.
The weirdness, the irony and the downright chutzpah of not just Trump but the Republicans in asking for unity while trying to break down the FBI and the Justice Dept. feels like Hitler coming to power but in more political terms.
Robert Mueller watch your back!
12
A fascist, racist speech to the core!
11
Oh come on. Please, people, wake up. DT is not there for the country. DT is there to enrich himself and his family beyond his wildest dreams. He could give one damn about you, or "unity," or the "infrastructure," or the nation's people including his base. The old Watergate advice still applies. Follow the money.
51
When all Americans get thee same tax breaks that Donald gave himself and his wealthy cronies then he can take credit for a good tax plan. Now it's just a cruel farce. And when all of us earn enough money to support our families with dignity then Donald can crow about what a good job he's doing. Right now he's just half a president, catering to the upper half he belongs to and giving the back of his hand to the rest of us.
By the way, Donald, most of us (of all stripes) do NOT want you to start a nuclear war with North Korea (or any other country). And you, a cowardly draft dodger during the Vietnam era, don't deserve to be the leader of our country and our military.
26
To politicize grief in a SOTU speech is disgusting and he did so by suggesting that all immigrants that reach our shores either have AIDS (Haitians), are murderers (hispanics) or have no skills and will put a drain on our safety net.
Mr. Trump is a divisive abomination that would have us see life as a zero-sum game; never mind that the game is rigged against the majority in favor of the few rapacious capitalists that have sold us all out for their own financial gain.
27
It's astounding how everyone, from the press to the folks watching at home, watch a speech, written by someone else and adequately read from a teleprompter and lap up every word. Americans only seem to be able to think in the moment....they're not dead and they just had a nice dinner so the SOTU must be grand! We have no sense of history and the politicians depend on it. Witness the overwhelming approval of GW Bush, even by Democrats, the president responsible for so much death and destruction. Also, the approval of Obama, only recently surpassed as "Deporter in Chief" and only recently surpassed in the number of drone bombs dropped and civilians killed (many of them children and at least two American chlldren who were American citizens). Obama was dubbed as the most dangerous president ever in regard to press freedom by a former NYT reporter. Luckily, Trump is so brazenly awful that we may throw him out but we can't just go from exceptionally awful to merely awful. We need real change.
6
The ultimate snake-oil salesman, who would have been shown the door at any country fair 100 years ago. He needs to stop insulting the people of our nation with the Shakesperian "glib and oily art, to speak and purpose not"'. London knew about his sleazy type over 400 years ago.
Soon it will be bye bye Donald and also the trophy wife. They will become a footnote in history. We shall survive this abomination.
Written from Vietnam, where the locals are in a mixture of horror and hope for the future.
13
The best part of the State of the Union was watching Nancy Pelosi sulk.
15
No, the best part was watching Pence with his moronic smile.
2