US President Donald Trump declared that “America is in a Golden Age“ at the beginning of his “State of the Union“ speech, Reuters reported.
“Our country is back – bigger, better, richer and stronger than ever”, he said after taking the podium in the US House of Representatives to the chants of “USA, USA” from Republicans.
This year's speech is of great importance for the president against the backdrop of his declining popularity, concerns about Iran and the high cost of living for Americans, as well as The November midterm elections are approaching, Reuters notes.
It is his second State of the Union address in 13 months since he returned to the White House for his second term. It gives Trump a chance to try to convince voters to keep Republicans in power. But the president faces serious political obstacles at home and abroad.
Trump was greeted with thunderous applause from House Republicans, but Texas Democrat Al Green was escorted from the floor early in the speech after holding up a sign protesting Trump.
Green held up a white sign that read: “Black people are not monkeys.” It was a reference to a video posted by Trump on social media earlier this month in which former President Barack Obama and former First Lady Michelle Obama were depicted as monkeys. The White House ultimately removed the video, and Trump said it was posted by a member of his team.