Trump’s State of the Union: The Only Message That Matters for November

At the State of the Union, President Trump once again demonstrated his connection to the American people. He is the man who embodies this moment in our nation as we confront chaos, brokenness, and violence within our communities.

We need hope, inspiration, and common-sense solutions to improve lives and restore America. The 47th commander-in-chief’s speech brilliantly united the nation by placing Americans at the center, highlighting stories of survival, heroism, victory, and even the loss of a loved one.

He brought the country together by celebrating the U.S. Olympic Men’s Hockey team and their gold medals while honoring a 100-year-old veteran, retired Navy Captain Royce Williams. Captain Williams fought courageously for our freedoms.

The president embraced those suffering in pain, allowing all Americans to share in their tragedy. He assured that loved ones like Charlie Kirk and Iryana Zarutska would never be forgotten but would remain enshrined in the hearts of every American.

Trump reminded us of America’s beauty: loving neighbors, uplifting one another when we suffer, and solving problems together to keep our nation strong and safe.

We witnessed Anna Zarutska’s pain as she sobbed during the president’s remarks about her daughter Iryana’s horrific death on a train in Charlotte, North Carolina. Meanwhile, Democrats remained callous and unemotional.

Even the tragic deaths of innocent Americans failed to move Democrats. Instead, they focused their hatred on President Trump and everything he stands for.

Their hatred blinded them from doing anything productive but screaming at the nation’s chief executive while working tirelessly to destroy him. It was shameful when Democrats did not stand in support for Anna Zarutska.

They must understand that their soft-on-crime policies have led to an endless cycle of innocent deaths. They revealed their true colors by refusing to stand with a family whose loved one was killed by a criminal illegal alien.

President Trump rightly called them out: “You should be ashamed of yourself, not standing up.”

Indeed, they admitted it on national television: the Democrats protect foreign illegal aliens who are criminals rather than legal American citizens.

In response, Virginia Governor Abigail Spanberger began the Democratic rebuttal, accusing Trump of lying to Americans and spreading falsehoods that Democrats are the solution to affordability.

“Tonight, as we watched our nation’s lawmakers gather for a joint session of Congress, we did not hear the truth from our president,” said Spanberger. “Is the president working to make life more affordable for you and your family? Is the president working to keep Americans safe both at home and abroad? Is the president working for you?”

The reality is that her new agenda in Virginia will raise costs of living, drive businesses out of state as she and General Assembly Democrats plan tax increases. As recently as January, Virginia Democrats introduced 50 new taxes and tax hikes—including income taxes, car taxes, fees on Amazon deliveries, DoorDash, Uber Eats, and fantasy sports.

The Tax Foundation estimates these taxes would place Virginia in the top nationally for highest investment income rates and put it on par with California, New York, and New Jersey.

As President Trump stated, Democrats caused the affordability crisis and now blame Republicans: “Now the same people in this chamber who voted for those disasters suddenly use the word ‘affordability,’” he said. “Someone gave them that, knowing full well they caused—and created—the price increases our citizens endured. You caused that problem.”

President Trump is fixing the mess Democrats made. He’s strengthening the economy through tax cuts, investing in children via the Trump accounts, and rebalancing trade relationships. His economic policies of cutting regulations and taxes are making America a place to invest. Inflation has dropped significantly to 2%, unemployment remains low, and he has only just begun addressing financial stresses for American families.

Next, he turns his attention to our broken healthcare system—a burden placed on Americans by Democrats. Our healthcare system benefits insurance companies more than patients, and we need greater transparency from hospitals regarding procedure costs and the ability to compare prices.

“Since the passage of the Unaffordable Care Act—commonly known as Obamacare—big insurance companies have gotten rich,” Trump said. “It was meant for insurance companies, not people. That’s why I introduced the Great Healthcare Plan.”

He is taking action to make healthcare more affordable and reduce prescription drug costs while working to bring the free market back to healthcare.

The State of the Union launched the messaging for the midterms. The GOP has its marching orders: focus on all Americans. Midterm candidates must listen, share the pain of those hurting, and vow to improve lives.

While Democrats obsess over President Trump, Republicans have an opportunity to champion his common-sense solutions and forward-looking vision, showing constituents they will fight for them.

The GOP carries messages of hope, healing our nation, and real results—while Democrats run on despair, division, and destruction.

At CPAC, we will continue amplifying this message to reach women, Latinos, and independents, demonstrating the contrast between parties and that only one party is the verifiable party of the people.

The Democrats will never stand for the American people.

Mercedes Viana Schlapp is a Senior Fellow at CPAC and former White House Senior Advisor for President Donald J. Trump.