Not since the Jan. 6 attack by Trump supporters had so much delusion inspired his faithful to cheer and obey him with blind loyalty.
That went exactly as I imagined it would.
Trump used his congressional address to bask in GOP obsequiousness, bash Joe Biden for the price of eggs, harp on anything related to trans people, and gloss over the economic chaos his fledgling second term has already wrought.
It was a Trump rally set on Capitol Hill and the most support he’d received in that hallowed chamber since his faithful stormed the sanctuary of America’s democratic republic in his name.
Shameless Republican sycophants repeatedly leaped to their feet, shouting “USA, USA, USA,” and “Trump, Trump, Trump.”
Meanwhile, Democrats voiced their discontent with laughter, signs, and outbursts. Texas Rep. Al Green shouted down Trump repeatedly until he was removed from the chamber. Several other Democratic lawmakers walked out during the speech.
And while Trump was the obvious center of attention during the evening’s lie-filled Republican lovefest, Shadow President Elon Musk also soaked up the spotlight.
Republicans have feted Musk for his efforts to slash spending by firing thousands of federal employees while conveniently leaving alone any programs that fill the pockets of the world’s richest man.
“The days of rule by unelected bureaucrats are over,” said Trump, prompting jeers from Democrats while pointing at Musk.
Trump also said the United States needed Greenland for “international security,” adding, “I think we’re going to get it one way or another,” a not-so-veiled threat to take over the island by force if necessary.
He also promised to “reclaim” the Panama Canal, another attempt at bullying a far weaker nation.
The only glimmer of positivity I could glean from the night was the Democratic Party’s response, delivered by Michigan Sen. Elissa Slotkin, whose short, clear-eyed rebuttal was devoid of the pettiness and cruelty of Trump’s 100-minute ego trip.
“America wants change, but there’s a responsible way to make change and a reckless way,” said Slotkin, referring to the mass firing of federal employees spearheaded by Musk and his team of unaccountable 20-somethings at DOGE.
“The mindless firing of people who work to protect our nuclear weapons, keep our planes from crashing, and conduct the research that finds the cure for cancer – only to rehire them two days later, no CEO in America could do that without being summarily fired.”
Hoping to sway those who voted for Trump back to the land of fact-based reality, Slotkin noted how one-time idol of the Republican Party Ronald Regean “must be rolling in his grave” regarding Trump’s coziness with Russia and hostilities toward Ukraine.
“We all want an end to the war in Ukraine, but Reagan understood that true strength required America to combine our military and economic might with moral clarity.”
The Michigan senator also warned of the fragility of American democracy in the hands of Trump and his unelected co-president Musk, urging citizens to get active.
“Hold your elected officials, including me, accountable,” she said. “Watch how they’re voting. Go to town halls to demand they take action.”
