<div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>In the face of dismal approval ratings, </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/donald-trump" rel="" target="" title="Donald Trump"><span>Donald Trump</span></a><span> doubled down on his favourite topics while avoiding the issues that have made him so unpopular.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>And in doing so, the US president gave the </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/world/donald-trump-state-of-the-union-address-live-updates-latest-politics-news-headlines/3521c95d-716b-49a9-9e8c-f89b6c89cef4" rel="" target="" title="longest State of the Union address in history"><span>longest State of the Union address in history</span></a><span>.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Over an hour and 47 minutes, Trump railed against crime and immigration and touted the stock market and the military.</span></div></div><div><div id="adspot-mobile-medium"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/world/trump-told-police-in-mid-2000s-everyone-has-known-about-epsteins-misconduct/bac5dfc1-d0d4-4c62-9504-86d8bc92e0b8"><strong><span>Trump told police in mid-2000s 'everyone has known' about Epstein</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>But his speech only briefly touched on issues of affordability, and made no mention of controversial agency ICE.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The other topic that didn't get a mention in his speech was </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/world/six-names-in-epstein-files-redacted--ro-khanna-thomas-massie-usa-news/5dca7843-114e-4188-89da-dbb1f291b6fa" rel="" target="" title="notorious paedophile Jeffrey Epstein"><span>notorious paedophile Jeffrey Epstein</span></a><span> - his longtime friend.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>But the president served up hefty helpings of red meat to his base.</span></div></div><div><div class="OUTBRAIN" data-reactroot="" data-src="//www.9news.com.au/world/state-of-the-union-donald-trump-analysis-what-the-president-said-usa-news/cee8f634-1410-4bbb-8776-387264ceffe5" data-widget-id="AR_5"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><h2><span>Crime</span></h2></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>A large section of the speech has been dedicated to describing in graphic detail high-profile crimes.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>As Trump described the murders, relatives of the victims sat in the audience.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Among those is </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/world/charlie-kirk-wife-speaks-publicly-after-husbands-death/f96da64e-592b-4e91-acb4-7b1697b5e5c2" rel="" target="" title="Erika Kirk"><span>Erika Kirk</span></a><span>, the widow of </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/world/defendant-in-charlie-kirks-killing-asks-judge-to-disqualify-prosecutors/3e21544d-ea48-4280-baf4-71d05e00ae92" rel="" target="" title="political commentator Charlie Kirk"><span>political commentator Charlie Kirk</span></a><span>.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The mother of alleged murder victim Iryna Zarutska was in tears as Trump described her daughter's death.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"Last summer, 23-year-old Iryna 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," Trump said.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"No one will forget the expression of terror on Iryna's face as she looked at her attacker in the last seconds of her life."</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Trump called on members to stand if they agreed with him.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"If you agree with the statement, then stand up and show your support," he said.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"The duty of the American government is to protect American citizens, not illegal aliens."</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>As Democrats remained seated, he told them they should be ashamed of themselves.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/world/charles-kusher-donald-trump-french-ambassador-france-usa-news/762a41ae-22eb-4133-800a-e47b22af0cee"><strong><span>France cuts off Trump's ambassador after he blows off meeting</span></strong></a><span></span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><h2><span>Tariffs</span></h2></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Trump took the unusual step of directly criticising the Supreme Court after it ruled his tariffs were illegal.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"Just four days ago, an unfortunate ruling from the US Supreme Court just came down," Trump said.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>But he said he had found a way to retain the tariffs.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"It will remain in place under alternative legal statutes they've been tested for a long time, they're a little more complex, but they're actually probably better," he said.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>He reiterated the falsehood that tariffs were paid by foreign countries instead of American importers.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Trump said his tariffs would "substantially replace the modern-day system of income tax".</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Several of the justices who voted against his tariffs were in the audience.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><h2><span>The economy</span></h2></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The president also made the dubious claim that prices are coming down significantly.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"The cost of chicken, automobiles, rent, is lower than when I took office by a lot," Trump said.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"And even beef, which was very high, is starting to come down significantly."</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><h2><span>Honouring guests</span></h2></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Donald Trump gave the Congressional Medal of Honour to a helicopter pilot badly wounded in the raid of Venezuela leading to the capture of Nicolas Maduro.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The president described in gruesome detail how the pilot Eric Slover was struck by enemy machine gun fire.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"He was gushing blood, which was flowing back down the aisle," he said.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"Eric manoeuvred his helicopter with all of those lives and souls to face the enemy and let his gunners eliminate the threat."</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>In a particularly touching moment, another aviator was given the Medal of Honour.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Navy fighter pilot Royce Williams was given the award more than 70 years after a daring mission in the Korean War.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The 100-year-old was loudly applauded by the crowd.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/world/donald-trump-calls-reporter-piggy-after-jeffrey-epstein-question/d53a7a53-c344-4560-bfff-01de835f38cf" rel="" target="" title="White House attacks journalist who Donald Trump called 'piggy'"><strong><span>White House attacks journalist who Donald Trump called 'piggy'</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>But Trump couldn't help but make a comment which was likely not in his prepared remarks.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"I've always wanted the Congressional Medal of Honour, but I was informed I'm not allowed to give it myself," the president said.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"I don't know why I'd be taking it. But if they ever open up that law, I will be there with you someday."</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The Medal of Honour is given for extraordinary courage in war. Trump has never served in uniform.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>In a moment of rare theatre at the State of the Union, Trump introduced the USA men's ice hockey team.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>While typically everyone is already seated at the event, the gold medal-winning team entered the room to chants of "U-S-A".</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Trump also announced he would give the Presidential Medal of Freedom to goaltender Connor Hellebuyck.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The medal is the highest civilian honour in the USA.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/world/six-names-in-epstein-files-redacted--ro-khanna-thomas-massie-usa-news/5dca7843-114e-4188-89da-dbb1f291b6fa"><strong><span>Trump in the unredacted Epstein files 'a million times'</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><h2><span>Democratic response</span></h2></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Virginia Governor Abigail Spanberger criticised the president for not addressing issues of affordability.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"Is the president working to make life more affordable to you and your family? We all know the answer is no," she said.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"The president is planning for new tariffs - another massive tax hike on you and your family."</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>She decried alleged rampant corruption in the administration.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"He's enriching himself, his family, his friends," she said.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"The scale of his corruption is unprecedented.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"This is not what our founders envisaged? Not by a long shot."</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>A less formal Democratic response came from Representative Al Green.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Minutes into Trump's speech, Green was ushered out of the chamber for heckling the president.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>He was holding a sign reading: "Black people aren't apes".</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>It's the second time in two years Green has done so.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/world/donald-trump-judges-tariff-decision-usa-news-latest-supreme-court/bbbd3c3d-82fc-436a-8654-9cc7e5d26527" target="" title=""><strong><span>'I can destroy the country': Trump's rant after Supreme Court strikes down key policy</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><ul><li><strong><em><span>Download the 9NEWS App here via</span></em></strong><span> </span><a href="https://apps.apple.com/au/app/9news/id1010533727" target="_blank"><strong><em><span>Apple</span></em></strong></a><span> </span><strong><em><span>and</span></em></strong><span> </span><a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=nineNewsAlerts.nine.com&amp;hl=en_AU&amp;pli=1" target="_blank"><strong><em><span>Google Play</span></em></strong></a></li><li><strong><em><span>Make 9News your preferred source on Google by</span></em></strong><span> </span><a href="https://9.nine.com.au/8x987w" target="_blank"><strong><em><span>ticking this box here</span></em></strong></a></li><li><strong><em><span>Sign up to</span></em></strong><span> </span><a href="https://login.nine.com.au/edm?client_id=nineatnine" target="_blank"><strong><em><span>our breaking newsletter here</span></em></strong></a></li></ul></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><em><span>NEVER MISS A STORY:</span></em></strong><span> </span><em><span>Get your breaking news and exclusive stories first by following us across all platforms.</span></em></div></div>