State of the Union: Which America is Trump addressing?

In this year’s State of the Union address, United States President Donald Trump lauded his administration’s achievements.

He spoke of low unemployment and a strong economy – which began improving under the Obama administration – and recent trade negotiations with countries such as China.

He also called for “religious liberty” and defended anti-abortion policies, while celebrating the appointment of conservative-backed judges across the country, including Brett Kavanaugh, who was accused of sexual assault, to the Supreme Court.

On security and foreign policy, he highlighted his Middle East plan between Israel and Palestine and called for an end to Middle East wars as well as the withdrawal of US troops in Afghanistan. He also spoke of the assassination of Qassem Soleimani, stating that “terrorists” will “never escape American justice”.

But as Trump celebrates the “incredible results” of his administration and makes appeals to his supporters, others question the country’s unity and whether his “great American comeback” and vision for a “blazing bright” future are a lie.

The president delivered his speech on the eve of his likely impeachment acquittal in the Senate, after a Democrat-majority House of Representatives voted to impeach him for abuse of power, showing deep divides along party lines.

In the lead up to the address, host Steve Clemons discussed the current state of the US.

Guests:

Niambi Carter – assistant professor of political science at Howard University and the author of American While Black: African Americans, Immigration, and the Limits of Citizenship

Deana Bass Williams – a former Trump administration official and partner in Bass Public Affairs, a consultancy firm in Washington, DC

Shailly Gupta Barnes – policy director of the Kairos Center for Religions, Rights and Social Justice, and one of the leaders of the Poor People’s Campaign