Donald Trump claimed “incredible results” in boosting the US economy in an often tense State of the Union address that highlighted the president’s bet that resilient job growth and a pair of trade deals can propel him to re-election this year.
Speaking to lawmakers on the floor of the House of Representatives where he was impeached less than two months ago, Mr Trump said the US was “thriving and highly respected again”, with booming employment, declining poverty and soaring confidence.
“We have shattered the mentality of American decline and we have rejected the downsizing of America’s destiny. We are moving forward at a pace that was unimaginable just a short time ago, and we are never going back,” Mr Trump said.