Millennial Talks

State of the Union Address Becomes the Most Memorable in History

February 10, 2020

By Tyree Ransom

The State of the Union this year was easily the most dramatic in history. Right on the heels of some of the most important moments in politics this year.

First off, the Senate announced the acquittal of Trump in the impeachment. Second, the first major election vote for Democrats happened in Iowa, which resulted in major tabulation errors and a delay on results.

With all of that, and a re-election bid, Trump knew this was his last time this year to make a big statement as he had the ear of the entire country.

What is the State of the Union

The State of the Union is an annual speech given by the president in front of congress to discuss their legislative accomplishments. The president is invited formally by the Speaker of the House to deliver this momentous speech. Generally, the president only actually walks the block or two from the White House to the congressional chamber for this speech and only this speech. All of the elites from the house and senate are invited, and usually each member brings a guest that honors some type of cause. The president however, brings many, and acknowledges his allies within the crowd. Being that this is Trump’s last one of this term (and possibly ever) he was sure to be as memorable as possible. Remember: Obama’s last one he literally dropped the mic like a boss and walked out.

Was Trump’s dramatic?

It all started with the president cascading down the aisle to the podium acknowledging only his Republican counterparts. Then, as tradition is, he gave both the Speaker of the House and the Vice President copies of his speech. Of course, Speaker Pelosi and the Democrats led the impeachment into their bitter rival President Trump, attempting to negatively etch him in history by being the third president to ever be impeached. As Trump handed Pelosi the copy, she reached for a handshake, and Trump swerved her like he didn’t see it. This is the very moment when we knew that it was on and the president was about to be more unchained than usual. The President was quick to mention the numbers of the economy and his legislative victories–such as the new USMCA trade deal (replaces NAFTA).

He also made sure to give a few honorable mentions. The president acknowledged the only black republican senator, Tim Scott, on how they championed black issues with a piece of legislation sponsored by Sen. Scott. African Americans were a big part of the speech as Trump was quick to bring up issues of criminal justice and jobs in the black community that were addressed by the president’s administration.

Not to mention the black war veteran sitting beside Trump’s daughter, Ivanka. The president even had an Kennedy-like moment by discussing plans to bolster his new space force and start the process of putting an American on Mars. One of the most interesting moments was when Trump gave controversial conservative radio host Rush Limbaugh one of the greatest civilian honors a president can- The Medal of Freedom.

Limbaugh drew a lot of criticism in his past for things he’s said, but the moment couldn’t have been more timely for conservatives due to the fact that Limbaugh was diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer. Trump looked, talked, and acted like a person who’s very much pursuing re-election through the most bold and awing moves possible. Trump’s speech wasn’t absent of fiery rhetoric either as he made sure to intentionally refer to immigrants by something sure to cause anger: illegal aliens.

As Trump handed Pelosi the copy, she reached for a handshake, and Trump swerved her like he didn’t see it. This is the very moment when we knew that it was on and the president was about to be more unchained than usual. The President was quick to mention the numbers of the economy and his legislative victories–such as the new USMCA trade deal (replaces NAFTA).

Pelosi Claps Back

After Trump delivered his closing remarks the camera panned to him, in the background was the Speaker who he just left hanging. With the camera angle on her, Speaker Pelosi stood with the audience to conclude the speech and proceed to rip her copy of the speech that Trump handed her.
With this clap back, the 2020 State of the Union instantly became the most memorable one to date. This moment was a symbol of the extremely divided condition of the State. Even people who aren’t into politics had to pause to see what is something you’d only
think to see actually happen in a television show. People worldwide reacted to this extremely bitter scene.

With this clap back, the 2020 State of the Union instantly became the most memorable one to date. This moment was a symbol of the extremely divided condition of the State. Even people who aren’t into politics had to pause to see what is something you’d only
think to see actually happen in a television show. People worldwide reacted to this extremely bitter scene.