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| State of the Union: Donald Trump to give his first address – live updates | State of the Union: Donald Trump to give his first address – live updates |
| (34 minutes later) | |
| Per tradition and an abundance of caution, one member of the president’s cabinet does not attend the State of the Union, in case some tragedy befalls Capitol Hill on a night when most every significant member of national government is in a single room. | |
| Here’s our political reporter Ben Jacobs: | |
| Per White House: Tonight's designated survivor is Sonny Perdue | |
| Perdue is the agriculture secretary. He used to be governor of Georgia. | |
| Thanks for sharing your expectations for this speech! Digging into them, we’d say they are rather, low: | |
| Anyone want to place bets on how many times he says "tremendous" and "massive" during the course of the speech? | |
| What is the State of the Union? | |
| In free fall. | |
| There will be consonants. There will be vowels. Maybe in the right order, sometimes. | |
| He will be restrained because he won't be talking, he'll be reading a speech written by a grown-up (which are getting harder to recruit for his White House). But he will take credit for the sun coming up each day. Then tomorrow he'll start another twitter war with Rosie O'Donnell. | |
| For all SOTO drinking game participants, herewith the guidelines. One shot of whiskey when Melania tries and fails to smile. Two shots when he trashes Elizabeth Warren. Three if you're still tuned in after 20 minutes. | |
| And finally: | |
| We're at the stage now where if he manages to not actually shit himself at the podium, he'll be hailed as presidential. | |
| I yearn for the sweet embrace of death, I really do. | |
| Struck by the eloquence of those excerpts? Thank these guys: | |
| .@POTUS speech-writing team. pic.twitter.com/XrkeIVU0F8 | |
| What do you make of those excerpts? Whet the appetite for the big speech? | |
| The White House has released excerpts from Trump’s prepared remarks. We’ve included them in full below. | |
| The speech appears to repeat the words “safe” and “strong” and “proud”: | |
| STATE OF THE UNION SPEECH EXCERPTS | |
| (as prepared for delivery) | |
| • Together, we are building a SAFE, STRONG, and PROUD America. | |
| • We want every American to know the dignity of a hard day’s work; we want every child to be safe in their home at night, and we want every citizen to be proud of this land that we love. | |
| • Just as I promised the American People from this podium 11 months ago, we enacted the biggest tax cuts and reform in American history. | |
| • Our massive tax cuts provide tremendous relief for the Middle Class and small businesses. | |
| • Since we passed tax cuts, roughly 3 million workers have already gotten tax cut bonuses – many of them thousands of dollars per worker. | |
| • This is our New American Moment. There has never been a better time to start living the American dream. | |
| • Tonight, I want to talk about what kind of future we are going to have, and what kind of nation we are going to be. All of us, together, as one team, one people, and one American family. | |
| • Americans love their country. And they deserve a government that shows them the same love and loyalty in return. | |
| • For the last year we have sought to restore the bonds of trust between our citizens and their government. | |
| • In our drive to make Washington accountable, we have eliminated more regulations in our first year than any administration in history. | |
| • We have ENDED the war on American Energy – and we have ENDED the War on CLEAN COAL. We are now an exporter of energy to the world. | |
| • America has also finally turned the page on decades of unfair trade deals that sacrificed our prosperity and shipped away our companies, our jobs and our nation’s wealth. | |
| • America is a nation of builders. We built the Empire State Building in just one year – isn’t it a disgrace that it can now take ten years just to get a permit approved for a simple road? | |
| • I am asking both parties to come together to give us the safe, fast, reliable, and modern infrastructure our economy needs and our people deserve. | |
| • Struggling communities, especially immigrant communities, will also be helped by immigration policies that focus on the best interests of American Workers and American Families. | |
| • So tonight I am extending an open hand to work with members of both parties, Democrats and Republicans, to protect our citizens, of every background, color, and creed. | |
| • As we rebuild America’s strength and confidence at home, we are also restoring our strength and standing abroad. | |
| • Last year I pledged that we would work with our allies to extinguish ISIS from the face of the earth. One year later, I’m proud to report that the coalition to defeat ISIS has liberated almost 100 percent of the territory once held by these killers in Iraq and Syria. But there is much more work to be done. We will continue our fight until ISIS is defeated. | |
| • Past experience has taught us that complacency and concessions only invite aggression and provocation. I will not repeat the mistakes of the past Administrations that got us into this dangerous position. | |
| The State of the Union is the president’s yearly address to Congress and the nation. | |
| This is when the president gives his or her view (so far only his) on how the country is doing – and usually how well he is doing – while also outlining the legislation he will focus on in the coming year. | |
| The practice was established in article two, section three, clause one of the constitution – the clause states that: | |
| “[The president] shall from time to time give to the Congress information of the State of the Union, and recommend to their consideration such measures as he shall judge necessary and expedient.” | |
| The first address was given by George Washington in 1790, in the then provisional capital of New York City. Washington and John Adams, his successor, both gave the speech in person, but the third president, Thomas Jefferson, decided to give a written message instead. | |
| Subsequent presidents followed suit until Woodrow Wilson personally addressed Congress in 1913. Since then almost all addresses have been given in person, some serving as key historical signposts. | |
| • In 1862, Abraham Lincoln used his State of the Union message to call for the abolition of slavery – something he said was integral to the survival of the country. | |
| • In his 1972 State of the Union speech Richard Nixon called for an end to the Watergate investigation. Seven months later he had resigned over the scandal. | |
| • George Bush introduced the fateful term “axis of evil” in his 2002 address to Congress, four months after the 9/11 terrorist attacks. Bush used the term to tie together Iraq, Iran and North Korea. Adam Gabbatt | |
| Are you actually invited to the State of the Union? We’re impressed! It’s not such an easy ticket. But each year a couple dozen people are invited to sit with the first lady, whose life stories serve to highlight themes advanced in the speech. | |
| In 2015, the first lady’s box included a vacant seat for victims of gun violence. | |
| Every member of congress also gets to invite a guest, which for the opposition party offers an opportunity for symbolic protest. Republican invitees during the Obama years included rocker Ted Nugent, discriminatory clerk Kim Davis and the Duck Dynasty guy. | |
| .@SenSanders will bring Luis Alcauter to #SOTU tonight. He is a Dreamer who worked on Sanders’ campaign. | |
| Democrats tonight have invited numerous Dreamers – immigrants who arrived in the country as children but whose protected status under Obama has been endangered by Trump. | |
| Our political correspondent Lauren Gambino has taken a look at who’s coming tonight: | |
| In the audience to hear Trump’s speech live will be immigrants who fear for their future and business owners whose outlook has never been brighter; a soldier who may be barred from serving on the basis of her identity and members of the military who overcame adversity to serve; first responders who saved lives during a spate of natural disasters and a mayor who criticized the response to her hurricane-ravaged island. | |
| Trump’s guests include a welder who has benefited from the Republicans’ tax overhaul, a police officer who adopted a child from parents addicted to opioids, and the parents of teenagers who are believed to have been killed by MS-13 gang members. | |
| The guests will be seated in the box of the first lady, Melania Trump, during the address. | |
| To read all about the invitees, click through below: | |
| If there was one thing you could count on out of the Barack Obama White House, it was that each year they’d roll out some new gimmick for promoting the State of the Union. | If there was one thing you could count on out of the Barack Obama White House, it was that each year they’d roll out some new gimmick for promoting the State of the Union. |
| In 2015, the Obama team became the first to release the SOTU text in full in advance online. They put out an “enhanced” video feed in 2016, and over the years they perpetrated all kinds of social media activity, from Instagram to Facebook to Tumblr. In 2016 they produced an electrifying State of the Union “supercut”. | In 2015, the Obama team became the first to release the SOTU text in full in advance online. They put out an “enhanced” video feed in 2016, and over the years they perpetrated all kinds of social media activity, from Instagram to Facebook to Tumblr. In 2016 they produced an electrifying State of the Union “supercut”. |
| This year, the Trump team has added an innovation all its own: it’s going to flash the names of campaign donors onscreen as the president talks. | This year, the Trump team has added an innovation all its own: it’s going to flash the names of campaign donors onscreen as the president talks. |
| Eric Trump, the president’s second son, sent an email about it earlier. It read in part: | Eric Trump, the president’s second son, sent an email about it earlier. It read in part: |
| We’re sick of hearing the media say that our movement is losing support. Today that ends. | We’re sick of hearing the media say that our movement is losing support. Today that ends. |
| YOU can prove them wrong while the world watches my father’s first official State of the Union Address. | YOU can prove them wrong while the world watches my father’s first official State of the Union Address. |
| The official Donald J. Trump for President livestream of the speech will display the names of all the patriots who chose to make a contribution for the world to see. | The official Donald J. Trump for President livestream of the speech will display the names of all the patriots who chose to make a contribution for the world to see. |
| Trump campaign’s livestream of State of the Union speech will display campaign donors’ names on screen. pic.twitter.com/FyF9QaLZSh | Trump campaign’s livestream of State of the Union speech will display campaign donors’ names on screen. pic.twitter.com/FyF9QaLZSh |
| Newt Gingrich, never one to miss an opportunity to make money, has just fired out a mass email trying to hustle up some cash on the back of Trump’s address. | Newt Gingrich, never one to miss an opportunity to make money, has just fired out a mass email trying to hustle up some cash on the back of Trump’s address. |
| “After you watch tonight’s speech ...” is the subject line of the email. | “After you watch tonight’s speech ...” is the subject line of the email. |
| It turns out that what Gingrich wants you to do after the speech is spend $69.99 (plus tax and shipping) on a Gingrich-taught video series: “A six-lesson course to defend America from the left”. | It turns out that what Gingrich wants you to do after the speech is spend $69.99 (plus tax and shipping) on a Gingrich-taught video series: “A six-lesson course to defend America from the left”. |
| “If you are ready to fight back against the radical left, then Speaker Newt Gingrich invites you, your friends, and your family to join him in Defending America,” says the blurb. | “If you are ready to fight back against the radical left, then Speaker Newt Gingrich invites you, your friends, and your family to join him in Defending America,” says the blurb. |
| “This 6-part video course covers the most critical issues facing our country, from culture and economics to religion and self-defense. It is a world-class learning opportunity from a world-class history professor and political practitioner.” | “This 6-part video course covers the most critical issues facing our country, from culture and economics to religion and self-defense. It is a world-class learning opportunity from a world-class history professor and political practitioner.” |
| During Gingrich’s run for president in 2012 it emerged he had debts of between $250,000 and $500,000 at the jewellery store Tiffany’s. And as of 2016 Gingrich had still not paid off the debts from that doomed presidential campaign. According to reports, as of May 2016 he still owed $4.6m. Maybe that explains things. | During Gingrich’s run for president in 2012 it emerged he had debts of between $250,000 and $500,000 at the jewellery store Tiffany’s. And as of 2016 Gingrich had still not paid off the debts from that doomed presidential campaign. According to reports, as of May 2016 he still owed $4.6m. Maybe that explains things. |
| Throwback to my first #SOTU as Speaker in 1995 -- 20 years ago this month. #gop http://t.co/lKyGfc9sQY pic.twitter.com/QElvR559P7 | |
| People are particularly excited this evening to hear the president talk about how well the economy’s doing, judging by the group of Twitter users who responded (guilty) to a poll proposed by the Republican speaker of the House, Paul Ryan: | People are particularly excited this evening to hear the president talk about how well the economy’s doing, judging by the group of Twitter users who responded (guilty) to a poll proposed by the Republican speaker of the House, Paul Ryan: |
| During tonight’s #SOTU address, which of these topics are you most looking forward to hearing @POTUS speak about? https://t.co/dp72PUoJUc | During tonight’s #SOTU address, which of these topics are you most looking forward to hearing @POTUS speak about? https://t.co/dp72PUoJUc |
| Note: this poll is meaningless. | Note: this poll is meaningless. |
| Our Washington bureau chief David Smith fills us in on what we can expect Trump to talk about tonight, covering policy areas including the economy, infrastructure, immigration, national security, trade and Other. | Our Washington bureau chief David Smith fills us in on what we can expect Trump to talk about tonight, covering policy areas including the economy, infrastructure, immigration, national security, trade and Other. |
| On immigration, David writes: | On immigration, David writes: |
| Trump said on Monday he would address his proposed immigration overhaul in the speech – and it would have to be bipartisan “because the Republicans don’t really have the votes to get it done in any other way”. In the State of the Union he will promote “four pillars” of reform: border security, including the wall; Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (Daca) legalisation; ending extended-family “chain migration”; eliminating the visa lottery and moving towards a merit-based system of immigration. | Trump said on Monday he would address his proposed immigration overhaul in the speech – and it would have to be bipartisan “because the Republicans don’t really have the votes to get it done in any other way”. In the State of the Union he will promote “four pillars” of reform: border security, including the wall; Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (Daca) legalisation; ending extended-family “chain migration”; eliminating the visa lottery and moving towards a merit-based system of immigration. |
| Read the full piece here: | Read the full piece here: |
| The typo presidency** struck again in the first printing of tickets for tonight’s speech, which admit the bearer to the chamber of the House of Representatives on Capitol Hill: | The typo presidency** struck again in the first printing of tickets for tonight’s speech, which admit the bearer to the chamber of the House of Representatives on Capitol Hill: |
| Republicans may have to recall all State of the Union tickets because they say "Uniom" not "Union," per two Dem aides. pic.twitter.com/FosSnznIHp | Republicans may have to recall all State of the Union tickets because they say "Uniom" not "Union," per two Dem aides. pic.twitter.com/FosSnznIHp |
| That’s maybe the worst Trump presidency typo since the White House Snapchat account heralded “Secretary of Educatuoun Betsy DeVos” and the Department of Education quoted one “WEB DeBois.” | That’s maybe the worst Trump presidency typo since the White House Snapchat account heralded “Secretary of Educatuoun Betsy DeVos” and the Department of Education quoted one “WEB DeBois.” |
| **Yes, making fun of typos at the outset of a six-hour live blog is asking for it, we know. | **Yes, making fun of typos at the outset of a six-hour live blog is asking for it, we know. |
| Hello and welcome to our live blog coverage of Donald Trump’s first State of the Union address. | Hello and welcome to our live blog coverage of Donald Trump’s first State of the Union address. |
| The speech is scheduled to start at around 9pm ET and is likely to last about an hour. Afterwards we’ll round up noteworthy reactions, hopefully including from you. Write us, ping us, @ us, etc. I’m at tom.mccarthy@theguardian.com and @teemcsee. | The speech is scheduled to start at around 9pm ET and is likely to last about an hour. Afterwards we’ll round up noteworthy reactions, hopefully including from you. Write us, ping us, @ us, etc. I’m at tom.mccarthy@theguardian.com and @teemcsee. |
| Trump has said he will brag about the economy and ask Democrats for a deal on immigration. But what do you expect from the president tonight? Will he stick to the script? Is he aiming for one of those speeches that makes people use the word “presidential”? | Trump has said he will brag about the economy and ask Democrats for a deal on immigration. But what do you expect from the president tonight? Will he stick to the script? Is he aiming for one of those speeches that makes people use the word “presidential”? |
| Don’t be shy – let’s hear your predictions. Presidents almost always say that the state of the union is “strong”. What will it be tonight? “Like, record-breaking”? “So fantastic you’re not gonna believe it”? “Covfefe”? | Don’t be shy – let’s hear your predictions. Presidents almost always say that the state of the union is “strong”. What will it be tonight? “Like, record-breaking”? “So fantastic you’re not gonna believe it”? “Covfefe”? |
| fun drinking game for SOTU coverage: every time you hear the word "presidential," start crying | fun drinking game for SOTU coverage: every time you hear the word "presidential," start crying |
| Recall that Trump has already delivered one of these, sort of, with his address to a joint session of Congress 11 months ago, a speech remembered for the immortal line: “The time for trivial fights is behind us.” | Recall that Trump has already delivered one of these, sort of, with his address to a joint session of Congress 11 months ago, a speech remembered for the immortal line: “The time for trivial fights is behind us.” |
| Then he tweeted: | Then he tweeted: |
| Arnold Schwarzenegger isn't voluntarily leaving the Apprentice, he was fired by his bad (pathetic) ratings, not by me. Sad end to great show | Arnold Schwarzenegger isn't voluntarily leaving the Apprentice, he was fired by his bad (pathetic) ratings, not by me. Sad end to great show |
| We’ve got four hours – drop me a line with your forecasts, imprecations, witticisms and laments. Meanwhile we will be looking at the history of the State of the Union speech, the roster of invited guests, the designated survivor, background dramas, #SOTU trivia, anticipated speech themes, dumb #SOTU traditions, and much much more. | We’ve got four hours – drop me a line with your forecasts, imprecations, witticisms and laments. Meanwhile we will be looking at the history of the State of the Union speech, the roster of invited guests, the designated survivor, background dramas, #SOTU trivia, anticipated speech themes, dumb #SOTU traditions, and much much more. |
| Thanks for joining us and please make yourselves at home in the comments ... | Thanks for joining us and please make yourselves at home in the comments ... |
| The #SOTU speech is really boring, slow, lethargic - very hard to watch! | The #SOTU speech is really boring, slow, lethargic - very hard to watch! |