Did you see President Trump’s first official address to Congress?
If not, you missed what is widely being considered the best speech he’s ever given – even winning over liberal media members who sang it’s praises.
“Trump laid out an optimistic vision for the country that crosses the traditional lines of party, race and socioeconomic status,” wrote our colleague. “The president invited Americans of all backgrounds to come together in the service of a stronger, brighter future for our nation.”
He laid out a hard-line stance on illegal immigration and explained why it hurt the most economically disadvantaged among us.
“By finally enforcing our immigration laws, we will raise wages, help the unemployed, save billions of dollars, and make our communities safer for everyone,” the President said. “We want all Americans to succeed –- but that can’t happen in an environment of lawless chaos.”
Trump addressed division, racism, and bigotry in our country, saying “we are a country that stands united in condemning hate and evil in all its forms.”
And there was a tremendous moment in which Trump honored fallen Navy SEAL Chief William “Ryan” Owens and his wife Carryn. Through many tears, Carryn graciously accepted the President’s praise for her husband, who Trump said now has his “legacy … etched into eternity.”
Also recognizes Carryn Owens, widow of US Navy SEAL Senior Chief William “Ryan” Owens, who died “a hero” in raid in Yemen. pic.twitter.com/7OIG2gMkAB
— Mark Knoller (@markknoller) March 1, 2017
All in all, it was an incredible speech. But don’t take our word for it, listen to the praise President Trump received from members of the mainstream media. This is incredible!
This is @realDonaldTrump at his most presidential — his most effective speech yet
— Jonathan Karl (@jonkarl) March 1, 2017
A strong, muscular speech from Trump who’s doing a solid job appealing to the little guys’ sense that they’ve been taken advantage of
— Marc Caputo (@MarcACaputo) March 1, 2017
This a very effective speech for Trump. He is speaking to Hill Republicans, reassuring them he wants what they want. This is working
— John Bresnahan (@BresPolitico) March 1, 2017
Trump is giving a muscular speech. Passionate both about vetting/killing terrorists and economic renewal, from factory towns to coal mines.
— Philip Rucker (@PhilipRucker) March 1, 2017
This is Trump at his absolute best so far. VERY nice grace note about our shared humanity to start speech.
— Chris Cillizza (@TheFix) March 1, 2017
This is a positive speech, inclusively talking about American goals and values, and setting markers for next steps. Arguably Trump’s best.
— Kimberley Strassel (@KimStrassel) March 1, 2017
This is the best speech Trump has ever given. https://t.co/ylMS0FXwcO
— Ben Shapiro (@benshapiro) March 1, 2017
It wasn’t just social media praise, it was political commentary on nearly every network…
CNN’s WOLF BLITZER: “The President of the United States, delivering an important, powerful speech. His tone clearly different than the speech he delivered at the inauguration. The President going through a whole range of issues.”
FOX NEWS’ CHRIS WALLACE: “36 years ago, Ronald Reagan reinvented the speech to the joint session of congress. He was the one who introduced the idea of having people up in the gallery, creating not just a programmatic message but a deeply emotional message. I think Donald Trump reinvented it again tonight, 36 years later. I thought it was by far the best speech I’ve ever heard Donald Trump give. It was one of the best speeches in that setting I’ve ever heard any president give.”
MSNBC’s CHRIS MATTHEWS: “I think left, right and center people have a sense of righteous indignation, right or wrong, that we’ve been screwed worldwide. We must restart the engine of the American economy, make it easier for companies to do business in the United States and much harder for companies to leave. I thought it was a winner politically. I think it was probably the reason he was elected in Michigan, Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, and Ohio, it is his winning the ticket: economic nationalism.”
CNN’s ANDERSON COOPER: “This was probably, without a doubt, one of his best speeches that I’ve ever heard.”
Think about that – a Washington Post reporter saying this was “Trump at his absolute best.” An MSNBC host saying the speech was a “winner.” A CNN anchor, who Trump has destroyed for months now as being fake news, admitting he had seen “without a doubt, one of his best speeches.”
We’re not naive here at The Political Insider. We know that within 24 hours the mainstream media will manufacture some sort of overblown crisis, or slowly amend their opinions to find fault in Trump’s words. But let’s just soak up the praise for an incredible speech, if only for a little while.
Comment: What did you think of President Trump’s speech? Tell us your thoughts below.
