Expert analyzes Trump’s address to Congress
President Donald Trump’s first address to Congress during his second term broke a record for length as he celebrated his administration’s swift actions during its first six weeks.
Virginia Tech political communications expert Cayce Myers shared his analysis of the significance of the president’s speech and the Democratic Party’s response.
“President Trump’s address to the Joint Session of Congress was unprecedented in its length and political tone. It was politically powerful and establishes the MAGA agenda as the dominant force within contemporary American politics. Perhaps most interesting was the wide range of topics discussed including the price of eggs, border security, the economy, and foreign policy. It was also an unusually partisan speech, even for contemporary political standards, and the stark contrast between Republicans and Democrats in the audience may signal a deepening political divide in the United States,” Myers said.
“The purpose of this speech was to establish a political narrative for the Trump administration within its first 100 days highlighting the President’s political accomplishments. The first 100 days of a presidency is considered historically significant because its sets a benchmark for political effectiveness and establishes key priorities of an administration,” he said.
“The speech was delivered to one of the most fractured Congressional chambers in presidential history, with Democrats foregoing applause for even traditionally non-partisan moments, such as celebrating everyday citizens in the Gallery. Democratic Texas Representative Al Green’s ejection from the Chamber while disrupting the President’s speech will be a controversial viral moment,” Myers said. “These reactions are a strategy meant to demonstrate Democratic rejection of the Trump administration’s policy initiatives writ large. The optics of that resistance will be controversial, even amongst Democrats, as they simultaneously rallied and alienated potential voters. It is likely that these reactions will become highly politicized both in the aftermath of the speech and in the 2026 midterm elections.”
About Myers
Cayce Myers is a professor of public relations and director of graduate studies at the School of Communication at Virginia Tech. His work focuses on media history, political communication, and laws that affect public relations practice. He is the author of “Public Relations History: Theory, Practice, and Profession” and “Profession and Money in Politics: Campaign Fundraising in the 2020 Presidential Election.” Read more here.
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