What Happened at Trump's Record-Breaking State of the Union?

President Trump's State of the Union address on Tuesday night was a record-breaker, clocking in at approximately one hour and 48 minutes. The lengthy speech was marked by controversy, protests, and accolades, as the president touted his administration's achievements and criticized his opponents.

The address began on a celebratory note, as Trump welcomed members of the US men's national hockey team to the House gallery. The team, which had won the gold medal at the Winter Olympics just days earlier, was greeted with chants of "U-S-A, U-S-A!" and praised by the president as "special champions." However, the moment was also seen as a calculated move by Trump to associate himself with the team's success and boost his popularity.

Not everyone in attendance was pleased with the president's words, however. Congressman Al Green (D-TX) was ejected from the speech after holding up a handwritten sign that read "Black people aren't apes!" The sign was a reference to a racist depiction of Barack and Michelle Obama that Trump had shared on social media earlier in the week. Green told journalists after the incident that he wanted to take a stand against the president's "dastardly" behavior.

The address also saw Trump rail against the Supreme Court, which had recently struck down his global tariffs. The four Supreme Court justices in attendance, including Chief Justice John Roberts, were stone-faced as Trump criticized their decision. The moment was seen as a rare display of tension between the executive and judicial branches of government.

Despite the controversy, Trump's speech was also notable for its length. At nearly two hours, it was the longest State of the Union address in recent history. The president had promised a "long speech" earlier in the day, and he delivered on that promise.

The address was also marked by Trump's continued efforts to court far-right groups and ideologies. The president of the New York Young Republican Club, Stefano Forte, is set to speak at a conference in Pretoria, South Africa, hosted by an Afrikaner nationalist group. The group's founder has been instrumental in promoting the idea that white South African farmers face systematic attacks, a notion that has been widely debunked.

As Trump's speech came to a close, it was clear that the controversy and tension that had marked the evening would continue to simmer in the days and weeks to come. The president's record-breaking address may have been a notable moment in his presidency, but it was also a reminder of the deep divisions that continue to plague American politics.

Sources:

• The US men’s hockey team at the State of the Union showed proximity to Trump is never neutral (The Guardian)
• Al Green addresses his 'Black people aren't apes' protest against Trump – video (The Guardian)
• NY Young Republican Club leader to speak in Pretoria, cementing bonds with Afrikaners and European far right (The Guardian)
• Supreme Court justices stone-faced as Trump rails against tariffs at SOTU (Politico)
• Trump breaks State of the Union record: How long did he speak? (CNN)