Ahead of President Donald Trump's speech to Congress on Tuesday night, revisiting his 2017 Congress speech shows both striking similarities and differences with the current political climate, and offers prophetic questions about what will happen to America as America rings on his 250th birthday in 2026.
In a 2017 Trump speech, Vice President Mike Pence and Republican House Speaker Paul Ryan opened behind him by admitting that Trump “targeted vandalism at Jewish Community Centers and Jewish Cemeteries” before calling for a “renewal of the American spirit.”
“Nine years later, the United States will celebrate the 250th anniversary of our founding — 250 years since the day we declared our independence,” said Trump, who was elected in November 2016 for his first term.
How to see and know Trump's speech on Tuesday to a joint session in Congress
President Donald Trump first addressed Congress on February 28, 2017. (Getty Images)
In one of his first executive actions this year, Trump, who began his second non-term term, signed “Celebrating America's 250th birthday.”
In 2017, Trump continued his first speech after the Obama administration by cracking down on illegal immigration, implementing America's first agenda and pledging to restore the economy. However, notably, diversity stock inclusion (DEI) was also not mentioned as “radical” gender ideology.
“When they talk today, these are kind of general themes,” Tevi Troy, a presidential historian and former HHS secretary under the George W. Bush administration, told Fox News Digital in an interview. “They aren't there. But that aside, there are many similarities. At first, I was wondering if it would be given in this administration because there are so many of the same things.”
“For example, he's talking about the borders there, and he's talking about unleashing the American economy,” Troy said. “And while the theme is the same, some of the situation has changed.”
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President Trump gave his second inaugural speech in the Rotunda of the U.S. Capitol on January 20, 2025. (Fox News)
Joint speeches to Congress and coalition speeches are usually well written in advance, but Trump is known for speaking through the cuffs. Troy said Trump may hold an explosive oval office meeting with Ukrainian President Voldymir Zelenky on Friday.
“We could see it come as an improvisational moment, but it's probably not a speech written,” he said.
Plus, inflation will come to people's minds on Tuesday night.
“No one is going to blame Trump for Day, awakening or Biden's issue,” Troy said. “He's at risk at some point because he's blamed for inflation, so he has to deal with it a little more carefully.”
Trump's 2017 address did not include inflation, but he said “it's much harder for businesses to leave our country, reopening the engine of the American economy, making it easier for businesses to do business in the US.”
Adjustment: Live Coverage of Trump's Speech Speech on Tuesday Night at Fox News
After finishing her acceptance speech at the Republican National Convention held in Milwaukee, Wisconsin on July 18, 2024, Melania Trump kisses former President Donald Trump. (Reuters/Brian Snyder)
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So far, Trump has signed many executive orders. Many aim to strengthen America's manufacturing and domestic economy and eliminate the United States from global climate change commitments.
