President Donald Trump made his first address to members of Congress Tuesday night, giving a speech that The New York Timesreferred to as “soothing comfort food…to a jittery Congress and skeptical public.” Some said this speech was the first time Trump has appeared "presidential" since his inauguration.
Trump’s first two months in the oval office have been anything but presidential. For starters, he has the lowest approval ratings of any sitting president. He's made several direct attacks on the media and has refused to investigate ties with Russian intelligence officials too closely. Not to mention his Twitter tirades, which have become Saturday Night Live’s one-way ticket to sweeping the Emmy Awards this year.
Tuesday night, however, Trump emerged poised. He talked more about unification than "American carnage," saying, "I am asking all citizens to embrace this renewal of the American spirit. I am asking all members of Congress to join me in dreaming big, and bold, and daring things for our country."
From his first remarks, his change in demeanor, vocabulary and tone were already evident. He condemned the recent threats made towards Jewish Community Centers across the nation, vandalism at Jewish cemeteries and the recent shooting of two Indian men in Kansas. He honored the widow of Ryan Owens, who was killed during the first military raid of Trump's presidency.
What he didn't do was talk much about the specifics of his policies. But who has time for that when you're so busy appearing presidential?
Republican Congress members were quick to praise the new and approved Donald Trump. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, told CNN, “Donald Trump did indeed become presidential tonight, and I think we'll see that reflected in a higher approval rating. While, moderate house Republican Charlie Dent said, “The Donald Trump I heard tonight was a lot more focused and disciplined and subdued, and it was a lot more uneventful in a good way. There were not a lot of distractions tonight, this speech was much better than the inaugural speech."
However, CNN reports that former Kentucky Governor Steven Beshear claimed in the Democratic response to the speech that Trump abandoned his voters, the working class, by choosing a cabinet made of millionaires and billionaires. He said, "That's not being our champion. That's being Wall Street's champion. Real leaders don't spread derision and division. Real leaders strengthen, they unify, they partner, and they offer real solutions instead of ultimatums and blame.”
While Trump has a long road ahead of him as Commander in Chief, his message Tuesday night resonated with many. But his skeptics still worry about his policies and lack of credentials. For now we can remain hopeful that this more respectable President Trump will not only speak for all people, but actually practice what he preaches.
