WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump gave a triumphal State of the Union speech Tuesday, proclaiming that he has ushered in a “golden age of America” while taunting Democrats in the chamber and blaming the country’s problems on them.
The speech comes at a perilous moment for Trump as his approval ratings have slipped. Americans have lost trust in him on the economy for the first time in his political career, according to a wide range of polls, presenting troubles for his party ahead of the November midterm elections.
Still, Trump didn’t suggest he would adjust his domestic or foreign policies in response. On issues from immigration to the economy to foreign policy, Trump’s speech was heavy on touting his existing policies and light on offering new ones.
Instead, he sounded defiant and took pride in his first year back in office while sparring with Democrats and goading them to respond to him. Respond they did, with a mix of silence, angry shouts and even mocking laughter.