Donald Trump took the stage in the House chamber Tuesday night, delivering his first address to Congress since retaking office—an exercise in spectacle, self-congratulation, and manufactured applause.

Six weeks into his second term, he arrived emboldened, backed by a Republican-controlled Congress too afraid to challenge him, and a nation reeling from economic turmoil, mass protests, and an escalating trade war of his own making.

“America is Back”… But Back to What?

“It has been nothing but swift and unrelenting action,” Trump declared, boasting of his aggressive dismantling of government regulations, his crackdown on immigration, and his reshaping of America’s foreign policy.

The irony? His so-called “economic renewal” has already tanked the stock market.

• The S&P 500 has wiped out all its gains since Election Day.
• Inflation concerns are rising, despite Trump’s empty promises to lower costs.
• His new tariffs on Canada, Mexico, and China triggered immediate retaliation, sending consumer prices soaring.

Rather than acknowledge the fallout of his policies, Trump doubled down on his trademark economic gaslighting, pretending this was all part of a grand plan.

Congress as a Prop for Trump’s Ego

Inside the chamber, the divide was on full display.

On the Republican side: Standing ovations every few sentences, chants of “USA! USA!”—as if sheer enthusiasm could overwrite reality.

On the Democratic side: Stone-faced lawmakers holding up placards with words like “LIES” and “SAVE MEDICAID.”

Texas Rep. Al Green was forcibly removed after shouting, “You have no mandate to cut Medicaid!” As security escorted him out, Republicans cheered and waved goodbye. The message was clear: there would be no dissent allowed in Trump’s Washington.

Elon Musk in the Presidential Box, Fired Workers in the Cheap Seats

One of the most striking images of the night was the presence of Elon Musk, seated prominently in Trump’s personal box like a kingmaker surveying his kingdom.

Musk, now the head of the ominously named Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), has been leading Trump’s mission to gut the federal workforce. His agency has already axed thousands of government jobs—many of whom sat in the gallery as guests of Democratic lawmakers, a silent reminder of the administration’s collateral damage.

Trump’s War on Reality Continues

Trump spent much of his speech taking credit for “fixing” problems that his own policies created.

• He claimed victory over inflation, despite the fact that consumer sentiment surveys show Americans overwhelmingly believe it’s getting worse.
• He bragged about securing the border, while his harsh immigration policies have left families in limbo and sparked diplomatic crises.
• He boasted about foreign policy strength, mere hours after he froze military aid to Ukraine and hinted at pulling back NATO commitments.

And when the Democrats refused to clap? Trump lashed out.

“The Radical Left refuses to cheer for America’s success.”

No, they refuse to applaud blatant lies.

The Real Test: Can Trump Rebuild Trust?

Trump knows his presidency is on thin ice. He was reelected on the promise of fixing inflation—but with markets tanking and allies furious, that illusion is already starting to crack.

Tuesday night’s speech was more than just a policy update. It was a desperate attempt to control the narrative, to gaslight the American people into believing that everything is fine, that the chaos is all part of the plan, that they should trust him—even as their wallets tell them otherwise.

Outside the Capitol, protests raged across all 50 states. Inside, his party cheered his every word like a choir in a dictatorship.

Trump insists America is entering a new “Golden Age.”

But if this is “winning,” what does losing look like?