Press Conference Key Quotes

State of the Union Address

“Members of Congress, I have the high privilege and distinct honor of presenting to you the President of the United States.”

— SPEAKER_00 • 00:00:08

“our nation is back, bigger, better, richer and stronger than ever before.”

— SPEAKER_02 • 00:00:24

“This July 4th, we will mark two and a half centuries of liberty and triumph, progress and freedom, in the most incredible and exceptional nation ever to exist on the face of the earth.”

— SPEAKER_02 • 00:00:45

“And you’ve seen nothing yet. We’re going to do better and better and better. This is the golden age of America.”

— SPEAKER_02 • 00:00:58

“When I last spoke in this chamber 12 months ago, I had just inherited a nation in crisis with a stagnant economy, inflation at record levels, a wide open border, horrendous recruitment for military and police, rampant crime at home, rampant crime at home, and wars and chaos all over the world.”

— SPEAKER_02 • 00:01:16

“But tonight, after just one year, I can say with dignity and pride that we have achieved a transformation like no one has ever seen before, and a turnaround for the ages.”

— SPEAKER_02 • 00:01:36

“Today, our border is secure. Our spirit is restored.”

— SPEAKER_02 • 00:02:17

“Inflation is plummeting. Incomes are rising fast.”

— SPEAKER_02 • 00:02:27

“The roaring economy is roaring like never before, and our enemies are scared.”

— SPEAKER_02 • 00:02:35

“Our military and police are stacked, and America is respected again, perhaps like never before.”

— SPEAKER_02 • 00:02:45

“After four years in which millions and millions of illegal aliens poured across our borders, totally unvetted and unchecked, we now have the strongest and most secure border in American history by far.”

— SPEAKER_02 • 00:03:03

“In the past nine months, zero illegal aliens have been admitted to the United States.”

— SPEAKER_02 • 00:03:24

“But we will always allow people to come in legally, people that will love our country and will work hard to maintain our country.”

— SPEAKER_02 • 00:03:33

“The flow of deadly fentanyl across our border is down by a record 56 percent in one year.”

— SPEAKER_02 • 00:03:47

“And last year, the murder rate saw its single largest decline in recorded history.”

— SPEAKER_02 • 00:03:57

“The Biden administration and its allies in Congress gave us the worst inflation in the history of our country.”

— SPEAKER_02 • 00:04:38

“But in 12 months, my administration has driven core inflation down to the lowest level in more than five years.”

— SPEAKER_02 • 00:04:51

“Under my predecessor, it was quite honestly a disaster is now below two dollars and 30 cents a gallon in most states and in some places. One dollar and ninety nine cents a gallon.”

— SPEAKER_02 • 00:05:21

“Mortgage rates are the lowest in four years and falling fast.”

— SPEAKER_02 • 00:05:45

“The stock market has set 53 all time record highs since the election.”

— SPEAKER_02 • 00:06:09

“The last administration got less than one trillion dollars in new investment in the United States. And when I say less, substantially less. In 12 months, I secured commitments for more than 18 trillion dollars pouring in from all over the globe.”

— SPEAKER_02 • 00:06:34

“What a difference a president makes.”

— SPEAKER_02 • 00:06:55

“A short time ago, we were a dead country. Now we are the hottest country anywhere in the world. The hottest.”

— SPEAKER_02 • 00:07:04

“American oil production is up by more than 600,000 barrels a day. And we just received from our new friend and partner, Venezuela, more than 80 million barrels of oil.”

— SPEAKER_02 • 00:07:53

“American natural gas production is at an all-time high because I kept my promise to drill, baby, drill.”

— SPEAKER_02 • 00:08:05

“More Americans are working today than at any time in the history of our country. Think about that.”

— SPEAKER_02 • 00:08:16

“We ended DEI in America.”

— SPEAKER_01 • 00:08:46

“We cut a record number of job-killing regulations. And in one year, we have lifted 2.4 million Americans, a record off of food stamps.”

— SPEAKER_02 • 00:08:55

“And for all of these reasons, I say tonight, members of Congress, the state of our union is strong. Our country is winning again.”

— SPEAKER_02 • 00:09:14

“In fact, we’re winning so much that we really don’t know what to do about it. People are asking me, please, please, please, Mr. President, we’re winning too much. We can’t take it anymore.”

— SPEAKER_02 • 00:09:27

“We’re just always losing. But now we’re winning too much. And I say, no, no, no, you’re going to win again. You’re going to win big. You’re going to win bigger than ever.”

— SPEAKER_02 • 00:09:46

“That’s the first time I’ve ever seen them get up. Actually, not all of them did get up. But they beat a fantastic Canadian team in overtime, as everybody saw, as did the American women who will soon be coming to the White House.”

— SPEAKER_02 • 00:10:23

“But I have to say that, and I told them this, and we took a vote of the team. I said, anybody votes no, I’m not doing it. So they stood there, and they weren’t about to say no, because I’ve never seen a goaltender play as well as goalie, Connor Halibut.”

— SPEAKER_02 • 00:11:03

“But I just want to tell you that the members of this great hockey squad will be very happy to hear, based on their vote and my vote, and in this case, my vote was more important, that I will soon be presenting Connor with our highest civilian honor, which we will be given, and which has been given to many athletes over the years. But when I say many, not too many, like 12, it’s called the highest civilian honor in our country, the Presidential Medal of Freedom.”

— SPEAKER_02 • 00:11:48

“I’m also pleased to say that the next time the Olympic torch is lit, it will be here in America for the 2028 Olympics. And it’s the summer version right in Los Angeles.”

— SPEAKER_02 • 00:12:41

“And Los Angeles is going to be safe, just like Washington, D.C. is now one of the safest cities in the country.”

— SPEAKER_02 • 00:12:56

“And this year, and I must say I got them both, I got them in my first term, and I was disappointed because I didn’t think I’d be the president when this happened. But strange things took place. And now I’ve got them because I got the Olympics, and I got the 2026 FIFA World Cup, and I wanted to claim the 250th, but I didn’t get away with that one. I couldn’t claim that one for myself, but we’re getting the World Cup, so we have the World Cup and the Olympics coming, and that is exciting news.”

— SPEAKER_02 • 00:13:09

“At age 17, Buddy volunteered to defend America in World War II, serving in the Pacific under the great General Douglas MacArthur. He fought bravely in the famous Battle of Manila, worked so hard. He was badly wounded and almost killed by enemy machine guns in Luzon. And 81 years ago this month, he liberated the largest internment camp in the Philippines, one of the largest anywhere in the world.”

— SPEAKER_02 • 00:14:14

“Even in times of challenge, setback, and immense heartache, the spirit of 1776 has always shown through very brightly.”

— SPEAKER_02 • 00:15:20

“As the waters threatened to sweep her away, 11-year-old Millie Kate McClaymond closed her eyes and prayed to God. She thought she was going to die. Those prayers were answered when Coast Guard rescue swimmer Scott Ruskin descended from a helicopter above.”

— SPEAKER_02 • 00:15:55

“Petty Officer Ruskin, I’m pleased to inform you that I am now awarding you the Legion of Merit for Extraordinary Heroism, which is what it was, Extraordinary Heroism.”

— SPEAKER_02 • 00:17:06

“From 1776 to today, every generation of Americans has stepped forward to defend life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. And they’re really doing it for the next generation. But now it’s our turn.”

— SPEAKER_02 • 00:17:40

“Together, we’re building a nation where every child has the chance to reach higher and go further. Where government answers to the people, not the powerful, and where the interests of hardworking American citizens are always our first and ultimate concern.”

— SPEAKER_02 • 00:17:59

“Last year, I urged this Congress to begin the mission by passing the largest tax cuts in American history, and our Republican majorities delivered so beautifully.”

— SPEAKER_02 • 00:18:27

“All Democrats, every single one of them, voted against these really important and very necessary massive tax cuts. They wanted large-scale tax increases to hurt the people instead.”

— SPEAKER_02 • 00:18:47

“But we held strong, and with the great, big, beautiful bill, we gave you no tax on tips, no tax on overtime, and no tax on Social Security for our great citizens.”

— SPEAKER_02 • 00:19:00

“Under our bill, parents like Megan can also activate their children’s brand-new Trump accounts. And I didn’t name it. I did not name it. I did not name that. Nobody believes me, but I did not name it.”

— SPEAKER_02 • 00:21:01

“Tax-free investment accounts for every American child. This is something that’s so special and has taken off and gone through the roof. Millions will be pre-funded courtesy of the U.S. Treasury and private individuals like Michael and Susan Dell, who have donated $6,250,000,000 to fund the Trump accounts for 25 million American children.”

— SPEAKER_02 • 00:21:30

“One of the primary reasons for our country’s stunning economic turnaround, the biggest in history, where the Dow Jones broke 50,000 four years ahead of schedule, and the S&P hit 7,000, where it wasn’t supposed to do it for many years, were tariffs. Tariffs, I used these tariffs, took in hundreds of billions of dollars to make great deals for our country, both economically and on a national security basis.”

— SPEAKER_02 • 00:23:06

“Countries that were ripping us off for decades are now paying us hundreds of billions of dollars. They were ripping us so badly. You all know that. Everybody knows it. Even the Democrats know it. They just don’t want to say it.”

— SPEAKER_02 • 00:23:37

“And then just four days ago, an unfortunate ruling from the United States Supreme Court. It just came down. It came down. Very unfortunate ruling.”

— SPEAKER_02 • 00:24:34

“So despite the disappointing ruling, these powerful country-saving, it’s saving our country, the kind of money we’re taking in, peace-protecting, many of the wars I settled was because of the threat of tariffs. I wouldn’t have been able to settle them without. We’ll remain in place under fully approved and tested alternative legal statutes.”

— SPEAKER_02 • 00:25:24

“And as time goes by, I believe that tariffs paid for by foreign countries will, like in the past, substantially replace the modern-day system of income tax, taking a great financial burden off the people that I love.”

— SPEAKER_02 • 00:26:15

“Moving forward, factories, jobs, investment, and trillions and trillions of dollars will continue pouring into the United States of America because we finally have a president who puts America first. I put America first. I love America.”

— SPEAKER_02 • 00:26:33

“Under Biden and his corrupt partners in Congress and beyond, it reached a breaking point with the Green News scam, open borders for everyone. They poured in by the millions and millions from prisons, from mental institutions. They were murderers. 11,888 murderers. They came into our country.”

— SPEAKER_02 • 00:27:31

“Now, the same people in this chamber who voted for those disasters suddenly used the word affordability a word, they just used it, somebody gave it to them, knowing full well that they caused and created the increased prices that all of our citizens had to endure. Well, you caused that problem. You caused that problem.”

— SPEAKER_02 • 00:28:32

“Their policies created the high prices. Our policies are rapidly ending them. We are doing really well. Those prices are plummeting downward.”

— SPEAKER_02 • 00:29:05

“The price of eggs is down 60 percent, Madam Secretary. Thank you. The cost of chicken, butter, fruit, hotels, automobiles, rent is lower today than when I took office by a lot. And even beef, which was very high, is starting to come down significantly.”

— SPEAKER_02 • 00:29:24

“I’m also confronting one of the biggest ripoffs of our times, the crushing costs of health care. It’s caused by you.”

— SPEAKER_02 • 00:30:35

“That’s why I introduced the great health care plan. I want to stop all payments to big insurance companies and instead give that money directly to the people so they can buy their own health care, which will be better health care at a much lower cost.”

— SPEAKER_02 • 00:31:34

“In addition, my plan requires maximum price transparency. That’s a big deal. Sounds so simple. So big. And I did that in my first term, and the Democrats immediately terminated it with full knowledge that they were doing a very bad thing for the people. Costs are going to go way up, and that’s what happened. And now I’m bringing them way down on health care and everything else.”

— SPEAKER_02 • 00:31:54

“I’m also ending the wildly inflated cost of prescription drugs like has never happened before. Presidents tried to do it, but they never could. They tried. Most didn’t try, actually. But they tried. They said they tried. They couldn’t do it. They didn’t even come close. They were all talk and no action. But I got it done under my just-enacted most-favored-nation agreements.”

— SPEAKER_02 • 00:32:42

“Americans, who have for decades paid by far the highest prices of any nation anywhere in the world for prescription drugs, will now pay the lowest price anywhere in the world for drugs. Anywhere, the lowest price.”

— SPEAKER_02 • 00:33:18

“So in my first year of the second term, should be my third term, but strange things happen. I took prescription drugs, a very big part of health care, from the highest price in the entire world to the lowest. That’s a big achievement.”

— SPEAKER_02 • 00:33:36

“The result is price differences of 300, 400, 500, 600 percent and more. All available right now at a new website called trumprx.gov. And I didn’t name that one either, by the way.”

— SPEAKER_02 • 00:33:57

“For five years, she and her husband have struggled with infertility, and they turned to IVF. One drug has been costing Kathryn $4,000 to purchase. But a few weeks ago, she logged onto the trumprx website and got that same drug that cost $4,000, got it for under $500, a reduction of much more actually than $3,500.”

— SPEAKER_02 • 00:34:44

“Now, the one thing, I’m not sure it matters because it’s going to be very hard for somebody that comes along after me to say, let’s raise drug prices by 700 or 800 percent. But John and Mike, if you don’t mind, codify it anyway. They may do it. Codify it anyway.”

— SPEAKER_02 • 00:35:44

“Tonight, I’m pleased to announce that I have negotiated the new Rate Payer Protection Pledge. You know what that is? We’re telling the major tech companies that they have the obligation to provide for their own power needs. They can build their own power plants as part of their factory so that no one’s prices will go up.”

— SPEAKER_02 • 00:36:33

“This is a unique strategy never used in this country before. We have an old grid. It could never handle the kind of numbers, the amount of electricity that’s needed. So I’m telling them they can build their own plant. They’re going to produce their own electricity. It will ensure the company’s ability to get electricity while at the same time lowering prices of electricity for you. And could be very substantial for all of your cities and towns. You’re going to see some good things happen over the next number of years.”

— SPEAKER_02 • 00:37:08

“Another pillar of the American dream that has been under attack is homeownership. With us tonight is Rachel Wiggins, a mom of two from Houston. She placed bids on 20 homes and lost all of those bids to gigantic investment firms that bypassed inspection. Paid all cash and turned those houses into rentals, stealing away her American dream. She was devastated.”

— SPEAKER_02 • 00:38:03

“Now I’m asking Congress to make that ban permanent because homes for people. Really, that’s what we want. We want homes for people, not for corporations. Corporations are doing just fine.”

— SPEAKER_02 • 00:38:44

“We’re also working to make it easier for Americans to save for retirement. And under this administration, we will always protect Social Security and Medicare. They are not protecting it for our seniors. We will always protect Social Security, Medicare, Medicare.”

— SPEAKER_02 • 00:39:16

“Yet half of all of working Americans still do not have access to a retirement plan with matching contributions from an employer. To remedy this gross disparity, I am announcing that next year my administration will give these often forgotten American workers, great people, the people that built our country, access to the same type of retirement plan offered to every federal worker. We will match your contribution with up to $1,000 each year.”

— SPEAKER_02 • 00:40:07

“As we ensure that all Americans can profit from a rising stock market, let’s also ensure that members of Congress cannot corruptly profit from using insider information. They stood up for that. I can’t believe it. I can’t believe it. Did Nancy Pelosi stand up if she’s here? Pass the Stop Insider Trading Act without delay.”

— SPEAKER_02 • 00:40:40

“But when it comes to the corruption that is plundering, really, it’s plundering America. There’s been no more stunning example than Minnesota, where members of the Somali community have pillaged an estimated $19 billion from the American taxpayer. Oh, we have all the information. And in actuality, the number is much higher than that.”

— SPEAKER_02 • 00:41:35

“So tonight, although it started four months ago, I am officially announcing the war on fraud to be led by our great Vice President J.D. Vance. And if we’re able to find enough of that fraud, we will actually have a balanced budget overnight. It will go very quickly. That’s the kind of money you’re talking about. We’ll balance our budget.”

— SPEAKER_02 • 00:42:24

“The Somali pirates who ransacked Minnesota remind us that there are large parts of the world where bribery, corruption, and lawlessness are the norm, not the exception. Importing these cultures through unrestricted immigration and open borders brings those problems right here to the USA.”

— SPEAKER_02 • 00:43:00

“Delilah Coleman was only five years old in June 2024 when a 18-wheel tractor trailer plowed into her stopped car traveling at 60 miles an hour or more. The driver was an illegal alien led in by Joe Biden and given a commercial driver’s license by open borders politicians in California.”

— SPEAKER_02 • 00:44:24

“Many, if not most illegal aliens, do not speak English and cannot read even the most basic road signs as to direction, speed, danger, or location. That’s why tonight I’m calling on Congress to pass what we will call the Delilah law, barring any state from granting commercial driver’s licenses to illegal aliens.”

— SPEAKER_02 • 00:45:31

“Yesterday, as you probably saw at the White House, I hosted a ceremony with Americans who lost their treasured loved ones to the scourge of illegal immigration. People came into our country, how we allowed this to happen with our open borders. These are the angel moms and families that for decades our government betrayed and our media totally ignored. Totally. It was terrible. Hard to believe, actually.”

— SPEAKER_02 • 00:46:03

“Elizabeth’s killer was a previously arrested illegal alien who had broken in and brutally extinguished the brightest light in her family’s life violently and viciously. Her heartbroken mother is in the gallery to remind everyone in this chamber exactly why we are deporting illegal alien criminals to our country at record numbers. And we’re getting them the hell out of here fast. We don’t want to.”

— SPEAKER_02 • 00:47:26

“We can never forget that many in this room not only allowed the border invasion to happen before I got involved, but indeed they would do it all over again if they ever had the chance. If they ever got elected, they would open up those borders to some of the worst criminals anywhere in the world.”

— SPEAKER_02 • 00:48:09

“The only thing standing between Americans and a wide open border right now is President Donald J. Trump and our great Republican patriots in Congress.”

— SPEAKER_02 • 00:48:38

“Democrats in this chamber have cut off all funding for the Department of Homeland Security. It’s all cut off. It’s all cut off. They have instituted another Democrat shutdown, the first one costing us two points on GDP. Two points we lost on GDP, which probably made them quite happy, actually.”

— SPEAKER_02 • 00:48:57

“Tonight I’m demanding the full and immediate restoration of all funding for the border security, homeland security of the United States, and also for helping people clean up their snow.”

— SPEAKER_02 • 00:49:40

“One of the great things about the State of the Union is how it gives Americans the chance to see clearly what their representatives really believe. So tonight I’m inviting every legislature to join with my administration in reaffirming a fundamental principle. If you agree with this statement, then stand up and show your support.”

— SPEAKER_02 • 00:50:12

“The first duty of the American government is to protect American citizens, not illegal aliens. You should be ashamed of yourself, not standing up. You should be ashamed of yourself.”

— SPEAKER_02 • 00:50:37

“That is why I’m also asking you to end deadly sanctuary cities that protect the criminals and enact serious penalties for public officials who block the removal of criminal aliens. And in many cases, in many cases, drug lords, murderers all over our country, they’re blocking the removal of these people out of our country. And you should be ashamed of yourself.”

— SPEAKER_02 • 00:51:00

“Most importantly, I’m asking you to approve the Save America Act and stop illegal aliens and others who are unpermitted persons from voting in our sacred American elections. That cheating is rampant in our elections. It’s rampant. It’s very simple. All voters must show voter ID. Voters must show proof of citizenship in order to vote. Mail-in ballots except for illness, disability, military or travel. None.”

— SPEAKER_02 • 00:51:40

“Both Republicans and Democrats overwhelmingly agree on the policy that we just enunciated. And Congress should unite and enact this common sense, country-saving legislation right now. And it should be before anything else happens.”

— SPEAKER_02 • 00:52:55

“Why would anybody not want voter ID? One reason. Because they want to cheat. There’s only one reason. They make up all excuses. They say it’s racist. They come up with things you almost say, what imagination they have. They want to cheat. They have cheated. And their policy is so bad that the only way they can get elected is to cheat. And we’re going to stop it. We have to stop it, Josh.”

— SPEAKER_02 • 00:53:26

“In the gallery tonight are Sage Blair and her mother, Michelle. In 2021, Sage was 14 when school officials in Virginia sought to socially transition her to a new gender, treating her as a boy and hiding it from her parents. Hard to believe, isn’t it? Before long, a confused Sage ran away from home. After she was found in a horrific situation in Maryland, a left-wing judge refused to return Sage to her parents because they did not immediately state that their daughter was their son.”

— SPEAKER_02 • 00:54:22

“But surely we can all agree no state can be allowed to rip children from their parents’ arms and transition them to a new gender against the parents’ will. Who would believe that we’re even talking about this? We must ban it, and we must ban it immediately.”

— SPEAKER_02 • 00:55:46

“Democrats are destroying our country. But we’ve stopped it just in the nick of time, didn’t we?”

— SPEAKER_02 • 00:56:11

“No one cares more about protecting America’s youth than our wonderful First Lady, now a movie star. She’s a movie star. Can you believe it? I can’t believe that.”

— SPEAKER_02 • 00:56:27

“She gets much better bipartisan support than I do. I get none. She gets a lot. Someday you’re going to have to tell me how you did that.”

— SPEAKER_02 • 00:57:20

“I’m very proud to say that during my time in office, both the first four years, and in particular this last year, there has been a tremendous renewal in religion, faith, Christianity, and belief in God. Tremendous renewal. This is especially true among young people, and a big part of that had to do with my great friend, Charlie Kirk, a great guy, great man.”

— SPEAKER_02 • 00:57:49

“So last year, Charlie was violently murdered by an assassin and martyred, really, martyred for his beliefs. His wonderful wife, Erica, is with us tonight.”

— SPEAKER_02 • 00:58:18

“In Charlie’s memory, we must all come together to reaffirm that America is one nation under God, and we must totally reject political violence of any kind.”

— SPEAKER_02 • 00:58:42

“Above all, unleashing America’s promise requires keeping our community safe. We have made incredible strides, yet dangerous repeat offenders continue to be released by pro-crime Democrat politicians again and again.”

— SPEAKER_02 • 00:59:18

“We are honored to be joined tonight by a woman who’s been through hell, Anya Zuretska. In 2022, she and her beautiful daughter, so beautiful. What a beautiful young woman. Irina fled war-torn Ukraine to live with relatives near Charlotte, North Carolina.”

— SPEAKER_02 • 00:59:42

“Last summer, 23-year-old Irina was riding home on the train when a deranged monster who had been arrested over a dozen times and was released through no-cash bail stood up and viciously slashed a knife through her neck and body.”

— SPEAKER_02 • 01:00:17

“She had escaped a brutal war only to be slain by a hardened criminal set free to kill in America, came in through open borders.”

— SPEAKER_02 • 01:01:17

“Mrs. Zuretska, tonight, I promise you, we will ensure justice for your magnificent daughter, Irina. How do you not stand? How do you not stand?”

— SPEAKER_02 • 01:01:38

“I’m asking this Congress to pass tough legislation to ensure that violent and dangerous repeat offenders are put behind bars, and importantly, that they stay there.”

— SPEAKER_02 • 01:02:03

“Starting last summer, I deployed our National Guard and federal law enforcement to restore law and order to our most dangerous cities, including Memphis, Tennessee, big success, New Orleans, Louisiana, big success, and our nation’s capital itself, Washington, D.C., where we have almost no crime anymore in Washington, D.C.”

— SPEAKER_02 • 01:02:31

“In fact, crime in Washington is now at the lowest level ever recorded, and murders in D.C. this January were down close to 100% from a year ago. They don’t like to hear that.”

— SPEAKER_02 • 01:02:56

“One of the sick people, one of the brave service members who helped achieve this stunning turnaround was 20-year-old West Virginia Army National Guard Specialist Sarah Beckstrom. After a four-month deployment, she voluntarily extended her service, and her rank was going to be lifted. She was doing so well. They were so proud of her. But the very next day, she was on patrol near the White House when she was ambushed and shot in the head by a terrorist monster from Afghanistan.”

— SPEAKER_02 • 01:03:24

“She shouldn’t have been in our country. And all because she wore the uniform of our nation, she was shot. He traveled here because he didn’t like people wearing our uniform. He was sick and deranged. She shouldn’t have been in our country.”

— SPEAKER_02 • 01:04:15

“Sarah Beckstrom died in order to defend our capital, and we are honored to be joined by her wonderful parents, Gary and Evely. Your daughter was a true American patriot, and she will be greatly missed. She was a great person.”

— SPEAKER_02 • 01:04:42

“Serving alongside Sarah that day was Staff Sergeant Andrew Wolfe. The terrorist shot Andrew in the head, and no one thought he could possibly make it. The two of them, Sarah and Andrew, both shot violently in the head. Neither was expected to make it.”

— SPEAKER_02 • 01:05:24

“The doctors thought that Andrew was gone. But his mother said, no, no, Mr. President. Andrew will be fine. He’s going to make it. I’ve never seen anything like it. I mean, he was given almost no chance. She said, I have no doubt, sir. He’s going to be okay.”

— SPEAKER_02 • 01:06:23

“And after looking at the results of the damage done, neither did I. She was so strong and conclusive that even Andrew’s great father felt she didn’t really understand the gravity of the situation. But she turned out to be right. Right, Melody? She turned out to be right.”

— SPEAKER_02 • 01:07:05

“With God’s help, Andrew has battled back from the edge of death. And we’re talking about the edge of death. On his way to a miraculous recovery. He’s got a little work to do. But he’s doing great.”

— SPEAKER_02 • 01:07:55

“So, Andrew, while you’re up, now I’m going to ask a highly respected General James Seward to present Staff Sergeant Andrew Wolfe and the great family of Sarah Beckstrom with the award created by our late, great President George Washington himself. It’s called the Purple Heart.”

— SPEAKER_02 • 01:08:16

“We’re proudly restoring safety for Americans at home and we are also restoring security for Americans abroad. Our country has never been stronger.”

— SPEAKER_02 • 01:09:02

“My first 10 months, I ended eight wars, including Cambodia. Isn’t it funny? You’re sick people. Cambodia and Thailand. Pakistan and India. It would have been a nuclear war. Thirty-five million people said the Prime Minister of Pakistan would have died if it were not for my involvement.”

— SPEAKER_02 • 01:09:20

“Kosovo and Serbia. Israel and Iran. Egypt and Ethiopia. Armenia and Azerbaijan. The Congo and Rwanda. And, of course, the war in Gaza, which proceeds at a very low level. It’s just about there.”

— SPEAKER_02 • 01:10:00

“The ceasefire I negotiated, every single hostage, both living and dead, has been returned home. Can you believe that? Nobody thought it was possible. Nobody thought that was possible. Nobody thought that was possible.”

— SPEAKER_02 • 01:11:36

“And when we got all of the living hostages back, and many, many before them, but I always said those last 20 are going to be very tough. We got them back. But we only got back 14 or 15 of the dead of the 28. And believe it or not, Hamas worked along with Israel, and they dug, and they dug, and they dug. It’s a tough thing to do. Going through bodies all over. Passing up 100 bodies sometimes for each one that they found. Tough job.”

— SPEAKER_02 • 01:12:25

“We’re working very hard to end the ninth war, the killing and slaughter between Russia and Ukraine, where 25,000 soldiers are dying each and every month. Think of that. 25,000 soldiers are dying a month. A war which would have never happened if I were president. It would have never happened.”

— SPEAKER_02 • 01:13:43

“As president, I will make peace wherever I can, but I will never hesitate to confront threats to America wherever we must. That’s why in a breakthrough operation last June, the United States military obliterated Iran’s nuclear weapons program with an attack on Iranian soil known as Operation Midnight Hammer.”

— SPEAKER_02 • 01:14:11

“Decades, it had been the policy of the United States never to allow Iran to obtain a nuclear weapon. Many decades. Since they seized control of that proud nation 47 years ago, the regime and its murderous proxies have spread nothing but terrorism and death and hate. They’ve killed and maimed thousands of American service members and hundreds of thousands and even millions of people with what’s called roadside bombs. They were the kings of the roadside bomb.”

— SPEAKER_02 • 01:14:48

“And we took out Soleimani. I did that during my first term. Had a huge impact. He was the father of the roadside bomb. Just over the last couple of months with the protests, they’ve killed at least, it looks like 32,000 protests. 32,000 protesters in their own country. They shot them and hung them. We stopped them from hanging a lot of them with the threat of serious violence. But this is some terrible people.”

— SPEAKER_02 • 01:15:36

“We wiped it out and they want to start all over again. And at this moment, again, pursuing their sinister ambitions. We are in negotiations with them. They want to make a deal, but we haven’t heard those secret words. We will never have a nuclear weapon.”

— SPEAKER_02 • 01:16:44

“My preference, my preference is to solve this problem through diplomacy. But one thing is certain, I will never allow the world’s number one sponsor of terror, which they are by far, to have a nuclear weapon. Can’t let that happen.”

— SPEAKER_02 • 01:17:08

“We have the most powerful military on Earth. I rebuilt the military in my first term. We’re going to continue to do so. Also, we just approved a trillion-dollar budget. We have no choice. We have to be strong. Because hopefully we will seldom have to use this great power that we built together. It’s really called peace through strength, and it’s been very, very effective.”

— SPEAKER_02 • 01:17:37

“I’ve just agreed, at my very strong request, to pay 5% of GDP for military defense rather than the 2%, which they weren’t paying. We were paying for almost all of them now. Now they’re paying 5% as opposed to not paying for. Getting that 5% was something which everyone said would never be done, could not happen. We got it really easily. One meeting.”

— SPEAKER_02 • 01:18:52

“And the big difference between 2% that’s not paid. We were paying the freight of many of them. Very few were paid up. Now 5%, then they’re paid. And everything we send over to Ukraine is sent through NATO and they pay us in full. They pay us totally in full.”

— SPEAKER_02 • 01:19:18

“Every branch of our armed forces is setting records for recruitment. This is so exciting. And every service member recently received a warrior dividend of $1,776. They put it on my desk. We got the money from tariffs and other things. A lot of money we have. We have much more money than people understand.”

— SPEAKER_02 • 01:19:44

“I said, wait a minute. For one more dollar, we can have $1,776. I said, we’re going to figure that out. I never asked anybody if we could afford it. One more dollar. I said, $1,776. And I said, that’s good. And I’ll tell you what, our military, that was four months ago. Our military, I never see a person in the military that doesn’t thank me for it. So we’re honored to do it, they deserve it.”

— SPEAKER_02 • 01:20:15

“We’re also restoring American security and dominance in the Western Hemisphere, acting to secure our national interests and defend our country from violence, drugs, terrorism, and foreign interference. For years, large swaths of territory in our region, including large parts of Mexico, really large parts of Mexico, have been controlled by murderous drug cartels.”

— SPEAKER_02 • 01:21:26

“That’s why I designated these cartels as foreign terrorist organizations. And I declared illicit fentanyl as a weapon of mass destruction. And with our new military campaign, we have stopped record amounts of drugs coming into our country and virtually stopped it completely coming in by water or sea. You probably noticed that. They very seriously damaged their fishing industry also. Nobody wants to go fishing anymore.”

— SPEAKER_02 • 01:22:07

“In January, January, elite American warriors carried out one of the most complex, spectacular feats of military competence and power in world history. No one’s seen anything like it. Foreign leaders, I won’t tell you who, called me and they said, Very impressive. They couldn’t believe it. They all watched. They saw what happened.”

— SPEAKER_02 • 01:23:11

“This is a different fighting force that we had years ago when we fought to tie. It’s a great fighting force. I’m so proud of it. Look at Space Force. Space Force is my baby. As we did that, my baby is becoming so important. Because armed forces overwhelmed all defenses and utterly defeated the enemy, good fighters, to end the reign of outlawed dictator Nicolas Maduro and bring him to face American justice.”

— SPEAKER_02 • 01:23:46

“This was an absolutely colossal victory for the security of the United States. And it also opens up a bright new beginning for the people of Venezuela. We’re working closely with the new president of Venezuela, Delcy Rodriguez, to unleash extraordinary economic gains for both of our countries and to bring new hope to those who have suffered so terribly. They really did suffer.”

— SPEAKER_02 • 01:24:25

“But since the raid, we have worked with the new leadership and they have ordered the closure of that vile prison and released hundreds of political prisoners already. With more to come. Alejandro, I’m pleased to inform you that not only has your uncle been released, but he is here tonight. We brought him over to celebrate his freedom with you in person.”

— SPEAKER_02 • 01:25:46

“There were many heroes on that January raid to capture Maduro. Really great heroes. It was very dangerous. They knew we were coming. They were all set. But the deeds of one warrior that night will live forever in the eternal chronicles of military valor. Chief Warrant Officer 5, Eric Slover, planned the mission and was the flight lead in the cockpit of the first helicopter. A big, beautiful, powerful helicopter.”

— SPEAKER_02 • 01:26:19

“Wearing the dog tags his wife, Amy, had blessed with holy water before he left. She knew it was going to be a rough one. Eric steered the Chinook under the cover of night and descended swiftly upon Maduro’s heavily protected military fortress. This was a major military installation protected by thousands of soldiers and guarded by Russian and Chinese military technology. How did that work out? Not too good.”

— SPEAKER_02 • 01:27:25

“And yet, despite the fact that the use of his legs was vital to a successful helicopter flight. Legs are the most important part of flying a helicopter. To deliver the many commandos who would capture and detain Maduro was the only thing Eric was thinking about. Then, even as he was gushing blood, which was flowing back down the aisle, the helicopter lands at a steep angle.”

— SPEAKER_02 • 01:28:39

“The success of the entire mission and the lives of his fellow warriors, Hinge and Eric’s ability to take the searing pain. It was unbelievable what’s happened to his legs. Of the bullets and keep on flying and landing and people knew what was happening. Everybody in the back of the helicopter knew because they saw the blood pouring down the aisle.”

— SPEAKER_02 • 01:29:35

“Chief Warrant Officer Slover is still recovering from his serious wounds, but I’m thrilled to say that he is here tonight with his wife, Amy. Eric and Amy, come on in. So we have a surprise, Eric and Amy. In recognition of Eric’s actions above and beyond the call of duty, I would now like to ask General Jonathan Braga to present Chief Warrant Officer Slover with our nation’s highest military award, the Congressional Medal of Honor.”

— SPEAKER_02 • 01:30:11

“You know, there’s the name Fort Bragg. We have it back. We brought it back. We won the First World War with it, the Second World War with it. And then they decided to change the name. So we changed it back. Everybody wanted to change back, too.”

— SPEAKER_02 • 01:31:17

“Tonight we’ve celebrated many truly extraordinary American patriots, but there is one last living legend to honor before we go. He is one more heroic American aviator, Navy fighter pilot. Royce Williams served in World War II, Korea, Vietnam, flying more than 220 missions.”

— SPEAKER_02 • 01:31:54

“His story was secret for over 50 years. He didn’t even want to tell his wife, but the legend grew and grew. But tonight at 100 years old, this brave Navy captain is finally getting the recognition he deserves. He was a legend long before this evening.”

— SPEAKER_02 • 01:33:07

“I said thank you, Eric. I’ve always wanted the Congressional Medal of Honor, but I was informed I’m not allowed to give it to myself. And I wouldn’t know why I’d be taking it. But if they ever open up that law, I will be there with you someday. But you know, that’s our highest honor, Congressional Medal of Honor. And that’s a big thing. And it’s an honor to be in the same room with you.”

— SPEAKER_02 • 01:33:45

“250 years is a long time in the life of a nation. But in other sense, it’s really a mere moment in the eye of history. Two of the gentlemen we met in the gallery this evening took their first breaths one century ago. 100 years before that, on July 4th, 1826, the author of the Declaration of Independence, brilliant, Thomas Jefferson, drew his last breath.”

— SPEAKER_02 • 01:34:39

“Everything our nation has done, everything we have achieved, has been the work of those few great lifetimes. In those brief chapters, Americans built this nation from 13 humble colonies into the pinnacle of human civilization and human freedom. The strongest, wealthiest, most powerful, most successful nation in all of history.”

— SPEAKER_02 • 01:35:31

“Americans ventured out across the daunting and dangerous continent. We carved paths through an unforgiving wilderness, settled a boundless frontier, and tamed the beautiful but very, very dangerous Wild West. From empty marshes and wide open plains, we raised up the world’s greatest cities.”

— SPEAKER_02 • 01:36:14

“Americans lifted humanity into the skies on the wings of aluminum and steel. And then we launched mankind into the stars on rockets powered by sheer American will and unyielding American pride. We wired the globe with ingenuity. We captivated the planet with American culture.”

— SPEAKER_02 • 01:37:29

“All of this and so much more is the enduring legacy, unmatched glory of the hardworking patriots who built and defended this country and who still carry the hopes and freedoms on all of humanity’s backs. For years they were forgotten, betrayed, and cast aside. But that great betrayal is over and they will never be forgotten again.”

— SPEAKER_02 • 01:38:33

“And when the world needs courage, daring, vision, and inspiration, it is still turning to America. And when God needs a nation to work his miracles, he knows exactly who to ask. There is no challenge Americans cannot overcome. No frontier too vast for us to conquer. No dream too bold for us to chase. No horizon too distant for us to claim.”

— SPEAKER_02 • 01:39:17

“For our destiny is written by the hand of Providence. And these first 250 years were just the beginning. From the rugged border towns of Texas to the heartland villages of Michigan. From the sun-kissed shores of Florida to the endless fields of the Dakotas. And from the historic streets of Philadelphia to right here in our nation’s capital, Washington, D.C.”

— SPEAKER_02 • 01:39:55

“The golden age of America is upon us. The revolution that began in 1776 has not ended. It still continues because the flame of liberty and independence still burns in the heart of every American patriot. And our future will be bigger, better, brighter, bolder, and more glorious than ever before.”

— SPEAKER_02 • 01:40:42