Donald Trump used his State of the Union address Tuesday to hail what he called a "turnaround for the ages," seeking to blunt poor poll numbers and project confidence as he faces growing domestic and foreign challenges ahead of pivotal midterm elections.
Trump sought to paint a rosy picture of his achievements in his longest-ever speech to Congress – and despite branding Democrats "crazy" the Republican president largely struck a measured tone.
But Trump's speech – met with repeated standing ovations from Republicans while Democrats remained seated in protest and sometimes heckled – was notably short on actual policy announcements.
As U.S. naval and air forces massed in the Middle East, Trump claimed Iran was seeking missiles able to hit U.S. territory but said his "preference" was for a diplomatic solution.
Trump began what became a record-breaking 1 hour and 47 minute State of the Union by painting an optimistic picture, declaring America was "bigger, better, richer and stronger than ever before."
