Trump Declares ‘America Will Be Woke No Longer’ in First 2025 Congress Address: Key Highlights
US President Donald Trump took center stage Tuesday night, delivering his first address to a joint session of Congress since reclaiming the White House on January 20. The speech, brimming with triumph, outlined his aggressive first six weeks in office, including slashing federal workforce programs, igniting trade disputes, and reshaping America’s global stance. “America is back,” Trump proclaimed to roaring applause from Republican lawmakers, signaling a new era he called a “historic resurgence.”
One of the night’s loudest moments came when Trump vowed to dismantle diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives across government, businesses, and the military. “Our country will be woke no longer,” he declared, arguing that jobs should hinge on “skill and competence,” not “race or gender.” He tied this to a recent Supreme Court ruling—likely referencing the 2023 decision against affirmative action in colleges—claiming it paved the way for his anti-DEI push.
Trump didn’t stop there. He escalated his culture war rhetoric, targeting transgender athletes in women’s sports. “Schools will kick the men off the girls’ teams or lose all federal funding,” he said, spotlighting an executive order mirroring laws in 24 states. The move has sparked cheers from conservatives but drawn fierce criticism from rights groups worried about discrimination.
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On the economy, Trump painted a grim picture of his inheritance from President Joe Biden. “We suffered the worst inflation in 48 years—an economic catastrophe,” he said, blaming Biden’s policies for spiking energy and living costs. Promising “dramatic relief” for families, Trump positioned himself as the fix-it man for an “inflation nightmare” that hit 9.1% in 2022 under Biden, per official data, though it’s since eased.
Trade was another hot topic. Defending his new 25% tariffs on Canada and Mexico—effective Tuesday—Trump brushed off fears of price hikes. “Whatever they tariff us, we tariff them,” he insisted, framing it as a fair fight to protect American markets. Experts warn this could spark a trade war, with Canada already retaliating and markets dipping, as the Sensex fell 368 points Tuesday.
Trump also gloated over surviving four criminal cases, calling them politically driven. “We’ve ended weaponized government,” he said, referencing his hush money trial conviction in 2024, while three other cases remain unresolved. It was a victory lap for a leader who sees himself as vindicated.
