RICHMOND, Va. — President Donald Trump gave his first address to Congress in his second term.
Longtime CBS 6 political analyst Dr. Bob Holsworth watched the speech and joined us on set right after to share his thoughts.
Was the president's speech what Dr. Bob expected?
"Kind of, in some ways. It was as the president might say, a speech like no other. On one hand, it was the president reciting the "MAGA Greatest Hits" you might say. The connection between illegal immigration and crime, the litany of what he considered absurd government spending, some true, some not so true. And finally, going after "woke DEI" and transgender rights. So that was going to be, I think, very appealing to people who come into tonight being very supportive of him. At the same time, the taunts of Democrats, calling Elizabeth Warren Pocahontas and some of the, sort of, attacks that he made on the Democrats, not going to convince many people who weren't there. The other thing I would say is that if there is anything that was probably lacking in the speech, from what I think many of his supporters might have wanted to hear as well, was a little more specifics about what's going to happen economically."
CBS 6 anchor Julie Bragg pointed out that the speech is coming on the heels of an eventful week. Dr. Bob agreed.
"We've just been through, you know, the event last Friday with the President of Ukraine. We've now had a sort of a rapprochement that, you know, Zelenskyy saying he has a plan for a cease fire, hoping the U.S. signs onto it. We'll have to see that. We've certainly seen a lot of pushback from our European allies, and then just today, the pushback, especially from Canada, about these 25% tariffs that he says he's putting on. We'll have to actually see if by the end of the day tomorrow, they're still at 25%."
Dr. Bob also touched on how the tariffs could impact Wall Street, as stocks racked up more losses Tuesday.
"I think that's going to have an impact on whether we're going to continue with those 25% tariffs on Canada, because clearly the market was saying they're not very comfortable with it at all."
Dr. Bob explained that Trump's first big approval test is coming in Virginia with the upcoming gubernatorial race.
"Absolutely, it's in November. It's the Virginia election. You know, we probably win some series of the Republican candidate. Abigail Spanberger, for sure, is going to be the Democratic candidate. But that is going to be the first big political test. Clearly, it's really, in many ways, going to be a referendum on President Trump. Abigail Spanberger is going to talk about what's happened to the federal workforce, which has really been ground zero for the cuts across the country, here in Virginia. And at the same time, I think you heard a lot of themes tonight that the Republicans are going to use. They're going to talk about woke, they're going to talk about DEI and especially, they're going to be talking about the connection between immigration and crime. Governor Youngkin did that last week, and I think you're going to hear about that more and more. ICE was in Northern Virginia today. I think they'll be down here in a couple of weeks."
Sen. Mark Warner (D-Virginia) released the following statement on President Trump’s address to a joint session of Congress:
“Tonight, President Trump touted policies that are raising prices for Americans, draining our federal workforce, illegally threatening government programs and benefits, and terrorizing the immigrant communities that have shaped Virginia. The president bragged about his reckless plan to isolate America from its allies, turn our back on long-kept partnerships, raise taxes on hardworking families, and reverse historic advancements in U.S. innovation and competition. Our country can – and should – do better. I will continue doing everything I can to fight for Virginians.”
Rep. Rob Wittman (VA-01) released the following statement on President Trump’s address to Congress:
“After four years of sky-high gas prices and a porous southern border, tonight, President Trump articulated how the administration will continue to restore our nation’s border security, get deadly fentanyl off our streets, and lower energy prices for American families. I’m proud that Congress has already passed and the president has already signed into law the Laken Riley Act [wittman.house.gov], a meaningful piece of legislation that received bipartisan support.
“As we move forward, I look forward to working with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to do what the people elected us to do: get the work of the nation done. In 2025, my legislative priorities will be to lower the cost of living, enhance public safety, and set our children up for success. I look forward to advancing my legislation to ensure government accountability, support our veterans, expand access to affordable higher education and technical training, and conserve our precious natural resources.
“I am committed to working with my colleagues to advance these priorities as we strive to create a safer, more prosperous future for all Virginians and all Americans. And I will always put the needs and interests of Virginia’s First District first.”
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