Eight major claims Trump made during his first speech to Congress since second term of presidency
On Tuesday evening (March 4), Donald Trump delivered his first major speech since he was sworn in as the 47th president of the United States a little over a month ago (January 20).
The speech in question saw the 78-year-old Republican leader - who is the first convicted felon to assume the presidency - discuss a number of his key objectives as well as trade tariffs and the war in Ukraine.
The speech, which has the theme of 'Renewal of the American Dream', was split into four parts: everything Trump has done over the last few weeks since his inauguration, the economy, border security, and his plans for global peace.
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Since he began his second term as president, Trump has made a number of seriously significant changes in government, including halting aid to Ukraine after an extremely heated row with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, renaming the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America, banning gender transitions for people under 19, and ending birthright citizenship.
But what claims has Trump now made in his first speech to Congress since his second term of presidency?
Trump on his presidency
Trump, who compared himself to the first-ever president of the States, George Washington, declared: "It has been stated by many that the first month of our presidency... is the most successful in the history of our nation."
It's important to note that, during this segment of the speech, Trump did not cite any source to prove such a sweeping statement.
He continued: "And what makes it even more impressive is that, do you know who number two is George Washington? How about that? I don't know about that list, but we'll take it."
Trump on Ukraine and Russia
Following his and vice president JD Vance's heated exchange with Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Trump made a major U-turn after reading an 'important' letter from the Ukrainian president.
"Earlier today, I received an important letter from President Zelensky of Ukraine," Trump said during the speech. "The letter reads, 'Ukraine is ready to come to the negotiating table as soon as possible to bring lasting peace closer. Nobody wants peace more than the Ukrainians.' [Zelenskyy] said, 'My team and I stand ready to work under President Trump's strong leadership to get a peace that lasts. We do really value how much America has done to help Ukraine maintain its sovereignty and independence.' "
Trump told Congress that 'simultaneously, we've had serious discussions with Russia and have received strong signals that they are ready for peace'.
"It's time to stop this madness. It's time to halt the killing. It's time to end the senseless war. If you want to end wars, you have to talk to both sides," he concluded, just days after Trump shockingly warned Zelenskyy he was 'gambling with World World III'.
Trump on Greenland
Addressing the citizens of Greenland, a country located in the North Atlantic Ocean between Canada and Iceland which the president said had 'a very small population, but very, very large piece of land and very, very important for military security', Trump said he would get it 'one way or another'.
He urged: "We strongly support your right to determine your own future, and if you choose, we welcome you into the United States of America."
Greenland, which is the world's largest island, is a territory of Denmark meaning its citizens are Danish.
"We need Greenland for national security and even international security, and we're working with everybody involved to try and get it. But we need it really for international world security. And I think we're going to get it one way or the other," Trump declared
Trump on Mars
It's clear Greenland isn't the only piece of land Trump is interested in as, towards the end of his speech, he revealed his plans for outer space.
"We're going to lead humanity into space and plant the American flag on the planet Mars and even far beyond," Trump declared.
While he's not specifically detailed his plans for the alleged upcoming space mission, senior White House advisor, Elon Musk, is the owner of SpaceX, a private space technology company.
Trump on reciprocal tariffs
Trump, who has just this week imposed new tariffs on Canada, China, and Mexico, has previously stated that higher tariffs on US imports from across the globe will help 'make America great again' by enabling the country to gain political and economic concessions from allies and rivals on the world stage.
And, during his speech, the president said imposing reciprocal tariffs - the practice of imposing tariffs on imports from other countries at a rate that matches the tariffs those countries impose on imports from the country imposing the reciprocal tariff - will make American businesses more competitive.
He claimed such tariffs will increase prices on foreign goods to make domestic goods more appealing to domestic consumers.
Seemingly making a reference to the upcoming April Fool's Day (April 1), he claimed is was 'very superstitious' hence his decision to instead roll out the tariffs the day later (April 2).
Trump on what he calls 'wasteful spending'
The father-of-five outlined a list of what he deems to be an 'appalling waste' of financial resources which were mostly to foreign nations.
In the list, Trump included '$8 million for making mice transgender' in a slip-up for what was supposed to be 'transgenic mice'.
He also outlined his rush to ban diversity and inclusion programmes in the federal government and dismiss workers charged with advancing such efforts, claiming: "Our country will be 'woke' no longer."
Trump on egg prices
Trump blamed the previous president, Joe Biden, for high egg prices, claiming he 'let the price of eggs get out of control'.
"Do a good job on that," he told the Secretary of Agriculture, "You inherited a total mess from the previous administration. Do a good job."
During the rant, Trump failed to mention a link to the high egg prices and a bird flu outbreak in the US.
Egg prices rose under Biden two years ago in 2023 and, according to the US Department of Agriculture (USDA), a dozen eggs averaged over $5 in January which is 53% above the average for the whole of 2024.
Trump on Democrats
Speaking to the Democratic section of the assembly, Trump claimed there was nothing he could say to make them 'smile' or 'stand'.
He said: "I look at the Democrats in front of me, and I realise there is absolutely nothing I can say to make them happy or to make them stand or smile or applaud. Nothing I can do.
"I could find a cure to the most devastating disease, a disease that would wipe out entire nations, or announce the answers to the greatest economy in history, or the stoppage of crime to the lowest levels ever recorded.
"And these people sitting right here will not clap, will not stand, and certainly will not cheer for these astronomical achievements."
Topics: Donald Trump, Politics, US News, News
Rhiannon Ingle