Real Time Reactions to the President's Joint Address

March 4, 2025–notes written during the President’s Joint Address to Congress, with reactions as they happened. Some editing was done prior to publication but the shorthand format and comments were generally left as initially recorded.

—The Cabinet is coming in now. You have NO idea how happy it makes me to see Bobby Jr, Pete Hegseth, Tulsi Gabbard, Pam Bondi and all the rest coming in. The Republican side is ebulent, the Dem side looks like they’re at a funeral, right after somebody kicked their dog.

Listening to the NBC talking heads spew the usual bilge. Notably, AOC ain’t here (will anybody miss her? I doubt it) and the Dem women are wearing Pepto-Bismol pink. That’s appropriate, since most of them make me nauseous.

Some are wearing blue and yellow Ukraine ties. Let’s hope somebody makes a list of them for the treason trials to come….

Just kidding—wearing an ugly tie is not now, nor should it ever be, a treasonous offense. Voting for more tax dollars to go to that cesspool of corruption, on the other hand…

Talking heads are blathering about tariffs. Obviously neither they nor their prompter writers know any history or economics—or else they just don’t care.

The President is coming in now. Talking heads suddenly sound bitter, for some strange reason. Heh heh heh

Pan shot shows a few Dems briefly. Chuckie Schumer is scowling, most of them are just looking constipated.

Now the TH’s are bloviating about Elon Musk and how some of their sources want him “voted out of office.” Where do they get these bobbleheads, anyway?

Yes, Lester, the President does look relaxed and confident. He has good reason, as his approval polls show.

And now, the President is thanking the Speaker, VP and First Lady—and FLOTUS gets the first standing ovation of the night!

“America’s momentum is back!” Notably, the Dems didn’t join in the chant “USA” just then.

“We’ve accomplished more in 43 days than most do in 4 years or 8 years, and we’re just getting started.”

Talking about his mandate, winning the swing states, winning the popular vote (booing from the Dems, shouted down by “USA” from the better side of the House).

Gee, Dems—sour grapes, much? Elections have consequences, and YOU LOST!!!!

Johnson has just tried to calm down the screaming Dems, and says he’ll have the Sergeant at Arms restore order to the joint session.

“Mr Green, take your seat.”—from the Speaker. He didn’t.

And with that, Al Green (D-TX) is being removed from the Chamber. Shanna na na, hey hey, good bye!

It’s the most successful (Presidency) in the history of our nation. And what makes it even more impressive, you know who number 2 is? George Washington. I don’t know about that, but I’ll take it.

Now addressing the border crisis, and how crossing numbers are down. “They heard my words and chose not to come.”

Talks about Biden—“the worst President in our history”—and compares Biden’s records to his. Dems boo.

Speaking at the Dems, talking about how no matter what he does he can’t make them happy. Preach!!!

Full quote (added later):

"This is my fifth speech to Congress. I look at the Democrats in front of me and realize there's absolutely nothing I can say to make them happy, or stand, or applaud. Nothing I can do. I could find a cure to the most devastating disease that would wipe out entire nations, or announce the answers to the greatest economy in history, or the stoppage of crime to the lowest levels ever recorded, and these people sitting right here will not clap, will not stand, and will not cheer, no matter what.

It's very sad and it shouldn't be this way."

BUSTED!!!

I think Pelosi just soiled her adult diaper. Oh, wait; that’s just her usual “I need another drink” face. Or both—with Nancy, it’s hard to tell.

“This is a time for big dreams and bold actions.” Talking about the freeze on federal actions and foreign aid (except for…we all know who).

“Withdrew from the corrupt WHO, and the anti-American Human Rights Council.”

Ended Biden’s insane environmental mandates and EV mandates, saving our automobile manufacturers from bankruptcy.

—The storm is making the power flicker, just as he’s getting warmed up. Currently TV is flashing Tornado Watch. I don’t hear a freight train so it's probably okay.

Stopped all government censorship, “Free Speech is back!”

“Two days ago I signed an EO making English our official language.”

Renamed the Gulf of America. Renamed Mt. McKinley again.

“We’ve ended the threat of so-called DEI policies across the entire federal government, the private sector and our military.”

“Our country will be woke no longer.”

You should be hired & promoted based on skill and confidence, not rice or gender.

Thanks SCOTUS for brave decisions allowing DEI to go.

Removed poison of CRT from public schools, signed an EO making official policy there are only two genders, male & female.

Also signed an EO banning men from women’s sports, talking about examples of this. Introduces Peyton McNabb, who got spiked in the face by a trans woman volleyball player, had TBI. Applause for her.

Pan shot of crowd: Nancy crapped her diaper again. She’s NOT happy.

Among my very highest priority: rescue our economy and give dramatic and immediate relief for our families. Inherited an economic catastrophe and inflation nightmare from the last administration.

Dems getting unruly again as the Pres talks about the last four horrible years. Johnson gives them the stink-eye. Vance looks like he’s ready to shoot a couple of them.

We had the worst inflation in 48 years, maybe ever. We’re going to Make America Affordable Again

More Dem booing. Sour grapes, much?.

Joe Biden let the price of eggs get out of control, encourages the Ag Secretary to do a good job on that despite the terrible mess we were left.

Previous admin cut oil & gas leases by 95%, closed more than 100 power plants—we’re reopening those power plants.

I declared a national energy emergency Day one. We have liquid gold under our feet.

Drill Baby Drill! (Cue Dem hissing)

Working on a gigantic natural gas pipeline in Alaska, a multinational effort—Japan, South Korea. Will also expand production of critical minerals and rare earths here in the USA

To combat inflation, will decrease the cost of energy and also ending the flagrant waste of taxpayer dollars. And to that end, I’ve created DOGE, perhaps you've heard of it.

Half the crowd goes wild. Dems pout quietly.

It’s headed by Elon Musk. Who’s in the gallery tonight (wearing a tie). Musk stands, Dems boo, Johnson & Vance glare at Dems.

Now Trump’s running a LONG list of crazy stupid programs, most sound like USAID DEI/woke/trans crap. He’s gigging the Dems and chuckling while he does it. He knows most Americans don’t want that crap but they’ve been fighting to defend it, making them look foolish.

Stacey Abrams got called out by name for her $1.9 billion decarbonization of homes slush fund. Hiss hiss.

“Shocking levels” of fraud and incompetence in Social Security, then he starts running the list of all the impossible ages. 3.6 million from 110-119, and on and on. Tells AG Bondi: “Pam, good luck”—searching for where those SS checks are going.

130,000 people over age 160. Looks up at RFK Jr, “We have a healthier country than I thought, Bobby.”

Pan shot of Dems holding up black FALSE signs as Trump runs the SS list, and he’s running it in the Dem’s faces. He’s having too much fun and they know it. And hate it.

“We’re going to find out where that money’s been going and it’s not going to be pretty.”

“We will defeat inflation, bring down mortgage rates, lower car, payments, and grocery prices, protect our seniors and put more money in pockets.”

“Today, interest rates took a big, beautiful drop.” And in the near future, I want to balance the federal budget.”

With that goal in mind, we’ve developed the Gold Card, allowing the most successful people to come here, pay taxes and create jobs.

Started to drag a little there while talking about the Gold Card. It’s not something ordinary Americans can get excited about, even when he ties it to deporting criminal illegals.

Americans have given us a mandate for bold and profound change. Drowning under approvals and debt from overgrown bureaucracy. The administration will reclaim power from this unaccountable bureaucracy and we will restore true democracy to America again. Any bureaucrat who resists will be fired immediately.

Next phase of the plan is tax cuts, Congress needs to pass.

Waves at Dems, “I’m sure you’re going to vote for those tax cuts because otherwise I don’t believe the people will ever vote you into office. So I’m doing you a big favor by telling you that.

Okay, now he’s just trolling them to be trolling them. Nancy just had another Code Brown. Most look ready to chew nails and spit tacks. Hilarious!

Calling for no tax and tips, no tax on overtime, and no tax on Social Security. Also wants to make interest payments from car loans tax deductible, but only if the car is made in America.

Talks about how carplants are opening up “all over“ because of election win, tariffs. “It’s a beautiful word, isn’t it.”

Applause from one side. Guess who’s hissing? (Hint:

not the Republicans)

If you don’t make your product in America, you will pay a tariff, in some cases a rather large one. Talks about how other countries tariff us.

This system is not fair to America and never has been. On April 2 reciprocal tariffs kick in.

“We’ve been ripped off for decades by nearly every country on earth and we won’t let that happen any longer.”

Thanks to America First policies we’ve had $1.7 trillion investment in the USA in just the last few weeks—SoftBank, Open AI and Oracle (mentions Larry “the people will be in their best behavior” Ellison), Apple, Taiwan Semiconductor.

CHIPS Act is horrible, turns and tells Speaker to get rid of it, use whatever’s left to reduce the debt.

New trade policy will also be great for Farmers…

And the storm got the TV signal and made the internet wonky, so…the rest is catch as catch can.

The President introduced Jeff Denard, steel worker from Decatur. Tariffs protect jobs like his. Lots of R appleiase for Denard. Dems pout—so much for them supporting the working man!

Tariffs are not just about protecting American jobs protecting the souls of our country

Introduces FLOTUS, talks about Laken Riley Act, introduces Laken’s mother Allyson and sister Lauren. Applause. America will never forget Laken, more applause.

Since taking office, this administration has cracked down on the border.

Our friends, the Democrats and in the media kept saying we needed new legislation to secure the border, but all we really needed was a new President.

Laughter from the R side at the burn!!!

Introduces Alexis Nungaray from Houston, whose 13 year old daughter Jocelyn was abducted and killed by two illegals. Pres. has just signed an EO renaming a wildlife refuge in Houston after Jocelyn. Has VP Vance give him the order, holds up to show. Alexis looks profoundly moved.

All three of Laken’s & Jocelyn’s killers were members of Tren de Aragua. Two weeks ago they, MS-13 and the Mexican cartels were declared terrorist organizations, just like ISIS.

Introduces Roberto Ortiz, Border Patrol Agent. Talks about a firefight he had with partner at border. Honored for bravery—applause.

Cartels are waging war against America. Calls on Congress to pass funding so he can address this.

As we reclaim our sovereignty we must also bring back law and order to our cities and towns. In recent years, justice system has been turned upside down by radical left lunatics.

Oh, the Dems HATED that one—probably because it hit too close to home.

Administration is moving swiftly to impose fair, equal justice. Good luck, Pam; good luck, Kash. Kash Patel stands up, applause, hissing.

There was a lot of hissing going on Tuesday night.

Introduced Stephanie Diller, widow of NYPD officer Jonathan Diller, who was killed during a traffic stop by a perp with 21 prior arrests. Jonathan’s son, Ryan, was one year old when his dad died. I attended his funeral.

We’re going to get these cold-blooded killers and repeat offenders off our streets. I’ve signed an EO mandating the death penalty for murdering a police officer.

Introduced Little DJ Daniel, a 12 year old boy in a Police uniform. In 2018 he was diagnosed with brain cancer and told he had five months to live. Doctors believe his cancer came from a chemical exposure. Segues to MAHA Commission headed by RFK Jr.

DJ has always wanted to be a police officer, and has been sworn in as an honorary officer. Asked Director of Secret Service Sean Curran to make DJ an official agent of the U.S. Secret Service.

It’s obvious from DJ’s face he had no idea. Possibly his Dad picks him up so he can wave to the crowd, which is going wild. Curran comes over, gives him an ID folder, he gets picked up again to show it off. Curran hugs DJ, it’s a while before the Pres. can go on.

—probably the best moment of the night.

—aaaand the storm is kicking up so the signal is crap

There was a lot more—I’ll put a link to the transcript below, and you can see the best bits on X at @POTUS and @WhiteHouse—and @RapidResponse47 did a good job during and after.

In general, the President laid out his agenda, which was pretty much what he promised on the campaign trail. The only time the Dems clapped was when he was talking about Ukraine, and he riffed on them for that. He particularly called out Pocahontas for wanting the Ukraine war to last for another four or five years, which got some laughs (very dignified, of course) from the Republicans.

There weren’t any more huge outbursts, and only Al Green got thrown out. Soeaker Johnson has already acknowledged the possibility of a censure, and some are wondering if he might be expelled. I think that’s a reach, but we can only hope.

The speech was a whopper, supposedly the longest in history at an hour and forty minutes. It was ambitious and powerful, and showed that the President is determined to pursue his agenda.

Most importantly, his early comments about how he’ll never make the Dems happy show that he’s well and truly learned the lesson they’ve been teaching him for years now.

Somehow, I don’t think the Dems will be happy with how well he’s learned it.

Read the transcript here: https://apnews.com/article/trump-speech-congress-transcript-751b5891a3265ff1e5c1409c391fef7c

Watch the speech: https://youtu.be/cR5Dmj6GK88?si=LLKqZjQ3HOpYGSfR

Dr. Bill Chitwood is a retired Child, Adolescent and Family Psychiatrist who does political consulting and media relations. He is the author of Beyond Maga, available on Amazon under his pen name, Doc Contrarian. He can be found on Substack and social media as @DocContrarian.

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