The 78-year-old president made records last night (4 March) after delivering what is likely the longest joint address in history, clocking in at more than 90 minutes.
Despite rounds of applause from Republicans and protests from opposing Democrats, which included Congressman Al Green being ejected for disrupting the speech, Trump was able to rattle off a number of plans which he believed would achieve his American dream, touching on topics such as Ukraine, Greenland, and… egg prices.
Trump’s views towards Greenland made headlines during the closing days of his presidential campaign after he openly wondered about the possibilities of either purchasing or acquiring the territory.
The president made reference to his expansionist goals again during the speech, declaring that he had a ‘message’ for the people of Greenland.
“We strongly support your right to determine your own future. And if you choose, we welcome you into the United States of America,” he said going on to explain that the States ‘needs’ Greenland for national and international security.
“And we’re working with everybody involved to try and get it.”
Trump then followed this up by declaring that ‘one way or the other, we’re going to get it’.
“We will keep you safe. We will make you rich,” he added.
The message received a lukewarm response from Greenland’s Prime Minister Múte Bourup Egede, who said his ‘do not wish to be Americans’.
Donald Trump shared his vision for the USA (Ricky Carioti/The Washington Post via Getty Images)
“We are not Americans, we are not Danes, because we are Greenlanders. This is what the Americans and their leaders need to understand,” he said (via ABC).
Greenland is currently an autonomous territory of Denmark’s.
Reducing the price of eggs – but how?
The rising cost of living is a concern globally, and in the US, this is playing out through the theatre of eggs.
Blaming the price of eggs on his predecessor, Trump said: “Joe Biden especially let the price of eggs get out of control – and we are working hard to get it back down.”
He added that rescuing the economy and offering relief to working families were his ‘very highest priorities’, but offered no further details on what this would look like.
A potential trade war with new tariffs implemented
Trump seemingly ignited a trade war earlier in the week by imposing new tariffs on China, Canada, and Mexico, prompting retaliatory tariffs being placed on the US.
“Tariffs are about making America rich again and making America great again. And it’s happening and it will happen rather quickly. There will be a little disturbance, but we’re ok with that,” he said.
The speech clocked in at 90 minutes (Ricky Carioti/The Washington Post via Getty Images)
Crackdown on immigration with ‘mass deportations’
A key part of Trump’s campaign regarded his views on migration, with the Republican president now promising a harsh crackdown on immigration and ‘mass deportations’.
Signing the minerals deal with Ukraine
Following last Friday’s showdown in the Oval Office, Trump and Zelenskyy are yet to sign the widely publicised minerals deal, which will give the US access to Ukraine’s natural resources.
Despite a stall on signing the deal, Trump added that a letter by President Zelenskyy made it clear the Ukrainian leader was ready to sign the deal ‘at any time’.
Opening negotiations between Russia and Ukraine
Zelenskyy has sent a letter to Trump thanking America once again for their support since Russia’s invasion. The letter follows a statement from Zelenskyy expressing regret for the breakdown in communication that occured during a rather heated meeting at the White House between him, Trump, and Vance.
“Ukraine is ready to come to the negotiating table as soon as possible. My team and I stand ready to work under President Trump’s strong leadership to get a peace that lasts,” the letter read.
Although he shared his appreciation, Trump is yet to lift the recently implemented pause on military aid to Ukraine, while Russia has continued with drone attacks in the eastern provinces of the country.
After reading the letter to Congress, Trump claimed there had been ‘serious discussions’ with Russia and that he’d received ‘strong signals that they are ready for peace’.
Trump, however, did not stipulate when these alleged talks had taken place, and whether he was involved in them.
“It’s time to end this senseless war. If you want to end wars, you have to talk to both sides,” he said.
This comes as a White House official anonymously told Sky News previously: “President [Trump] has been clear that he is focused on peace.
