Gone was the dark talk of “American carnage” that we heard in his 2017 inauguration address. Trump’s message to the nation was an election message that three years into his presidency – America was back, his contract with his voters had been kept and this was the speech that would tell the country exactly what he had achieved.
“In just three short years, we have shattered the mentality of American decline, and we have rejected the downsizing of America’s destiny,” Trump said, as Republicans cheers and Democrats sat silent.
“We are moving forward at a pace that was unimaginable just a short time ago, and we are never going back!”
The tensions that have riven American politics were clear in the chamber from the start. As he entered the chamber the president appeared to snub Democrat house speaker Nancy Pelosi who had led the house push to impeach the president over his actions with Ukraine.
It was the first time that Trump had faced all the Democrats who voted to impeach him and he was speaking on the eve of his certain acquittal by the Senate in his impeachment trial.
But the speech did not contain any reference to impeachment, or to the Ukraine controversy.
Trump also avoided the temptation to use the speech to chide the Democrats over their disastrous Iowa caucus, where technical problems caused the voting count to collapse with no results being announced on the night.
His only sharp joust with the Democrats was on health care and border security “We will never let socialism destroy American healthcare,” he said to thunderous cheers from Republicans and jeers from Democrats.
Instead, Trump’s speech focused on his achievements, rather than his grievances. It was radically different from his campaign rallies in which Trump spends long periods attacking the Mueller inquiry and impeachment.
“Three years ago we launched the great American comeback,” he told the house. “Tonight I stand before you to share the incredible results. Jobs are booming. Incomes are soaring.
“Poverty is plummeting. Crime is falling. Confidence is surging. And our country is thriving and highly respected again. ... the state of the union is stronger than ever before.”
Republicans cheered. Democrats shook their heads.
In Washington on this night with a massive national audience watching, Trump moved to turn the page on the impeachment saga and fire the starting gun for his own campaign.
Cameron Stewart is also US Contributor for Sky News Australia
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