Donald Trump in 2018 State of the Union address
On Corporations:
Business tax rate slashed from 35% to 21%
We slashed the business tax rate from 35 percent all the way down to 21 percent, so American companies can compete and win against anyone in the world. These changes alone are estimated to increase average family income by more than $4,000.
Small businesses have also received a massive tax cut, and can now deduct 20 percent of their business income.Since we passed tax cuts, roughly 3 million workers have already gotten tax cut bonuses--many of them thousands of dollars per worker.
Apple has just announced it plans to invest a total of $350 billion in America, and hire another 20,000 workers.
This is our new American moment. There has never been a better time to start living the American Dream.
If you work hard, if you believe in yourself, if you believe in America, then you can dream anything, you can be anything, and together, we can achieve anything.
Source: 2018 State of the Union address
Jan 30, 2018
On Drugs:
Tougher on drug dealers to end scourge of opioids
[My border security] reforms will support our response to the terrible crisis of opioid and drug addiction. In 2016, we lost 64,000 Americans to drug overdoses: 174 deaths per day. Seven per hour. We must get much tougher on drug dealers and pushers
if we are going to succeed in stopping this scourge.My Administration is committed to fighting the drug epidemic and helping get treatment for those in need. The struggle will be long and difficult--but, as Americans always do, we will prevail.
Source: 2018 State of the Union address
Jan 30, 2018
On Education:
Workforce development, job training, & vocational schools
We want every American to know the dignity of a hard day's work. We can lift our citizens from welfare to work, from dependence to independence, and from poverty to prosperity.As tax cuts create new jobs, let us invest in
workforce development and job training. Let us open great vocational schools so our future workers can learn a craft and realize their full potential. And let us support working families by supporting paid family leave.
Source: 2018 State of the Union address
Jan 30, 2018
On Energy & Oil:
End the war on beautiful clean coal
In our drive to make Washington accountable, we have eliminated more regulations in our first year than any administration in history.
We have ended the war on American Energy -- and we have ended the war on beautiful clean coal. We are now an exporter of energy to the world.
Source: 2018 State of the Union address
Jan 30, 2018
On Foreign Policy:
Sanctions on Communist dictators in North Korea & Cuba
My Administration has imposed tough sanctions on the communist and socialist dictatorships in Cuba and Venezuela. But no regime has oppressed its own citizens more totally or brutally than the cruel dictatorship in North Korea.
North Korea's reckless pursuit of nuclear missiles could very soon threaten our homeland. We are waging a campaign of maximum pressure to prevent that from happening.
Past experience has taught us that complacency and concessions only invite aggression and provocation. I will not repeat the mistakes of past administrations that got us into this dangerous position.
We need only look at the depraved character of the North Korean regime to understand the nature of the nuclear threat it could pose to America and our allies.
Source: 2018 State of the Union address
Jan 30, 2018
On Foreign Policy:
Foreign aid only to friends of America
Dozens of countries voted in the United Nations General Assembly against America's sovereign right to make the recognition of Jerusalem as Israel's capital. American taxpayers generously send those same countries billions of dollars in aid every year.
That is why, tonight, I am asking the Congress to pass legislation to help ensure American foreign-assistance dollars always serve American interests, and only go to America's friends.
Source: 2018 State of the Union address
Jan 30, 2018
On Foreign Policy:
FactCheck: Yes, Senate approved US Embassy in Jerusalem
TRUMP: Last month, I took an action endorsed unanimously by the Senate just months before: I recognized Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.OnTheIssues Fact Check: Is that true? The United States Senate unanimously supported declaring
Jerusalem the capital of Israel? Despite the controversy--and possible war with the Palestinians--that such a declaration could cause? Yes, we checked; the Senate voted 90-0-10 (unanimous with ten abstentions or absences). The resolution said, "June
2017 marks the 50th anniversary of the Six Day War and the reunification of the city of Jerusalem. The Senate reaffirms the Jerusalem Embassy Act of 1995 as United States law, and calls upon the President and all United States officials to abide by its
provisions." The 1995 law calls for moving the U.S. Embassy to Jerusalem from Tel Aviv, including a progress report every 6 months. President Trump is now implementing the 1995 law, 23 years later and 46 progress report due dates later.
Source: OnTheIssues Fact-Check on 2018 State of the Union address
Jan 30, 2018
On Free Trade:
The era of economic surrender is over: reciprocal fair trade
America has finally turned the page on decades of unfair trade deals that sacrificed our prosperity and shipped away our companies, our jobs, and our Nation's wealth. The era of economic surrender is over. From now on, we expect trading relationships to
be fair and to be reciprocal.We will work to fix bad trade deals and negotiate new ones. And we will protect American workers and American intellectual property, through strong enforcement of our trade rules.
Source: 2018 State of the Union address
Jan 30, 2018
On Health Care:
Let terminally ill take any experimental drugs
To speed access to breakthrough cures and affordable generic drugs, last year the FDA approved more new and generic drugs and medical devices than ever before in our history. We believe that patients with terminal conditions should have access to
experimental treatments that could potentially save their lives.People who are terminally ill should not have to go from country to country to seek a cure--I want to give them a chance right here at home.
It is time for the Congress to give these wonderful Americans the "right to try."
One of my greatest priorities is to reduce the price of prescription drugs. In many other countries, these drugs cost far less than what we pay in the United States.
That is why I have directed my Administration to make fixing the injustice of high drug prices one of our top priorities. Prices will come down.
Source: 2018 State of the Union address
Jan 30, 2018
On Health Care:
The cruel ObamaCare individual mandate is gone
We eliminated an especially cruel tax that fell mostly on Americans making less than $50,000 a year--forcing them to pay tremendous penalties simply because they could not afford government-ordered health plans.
We repealed the core of disastrous ObamaCare--the individual mandate is now gone.And we are giving our veterans choice in their healthcare decisions.
Source: 2018 State of the Union address
Jan 30, 2018
On Homeland Security:
Fire 1,500 VA employees who failed to serve veterans
We are serving our brave veterans, including giving our veterans choice in their healthcare decisions. Last year, the Congress passed, and I signed, the landmark VA Accountability Act. Since its passage, my Administration has already removed more than
1,500 VA employees who failed to give our veterans the care they deserve--and we are hiring talented people who love our vets as much as we do. I will not stop until our veterans are properly taken care of,
which has been my promise to them from the very beginning of this great journey.All Americans deserve accountability and respect--and that is what we are giving them. So tonight, I call on the Congress to empower every
Cabinet Secretary with the authority to reward good workers--and to remove Federal employees who undermine the public trust or fail the American people.
Source: 2018 State of the Union address
Jan 30, 2018
On Homeland Security:
Unmatched power is key to defense, including more nukes
Around the world, we face rogue regimes, terrorist groups, and rivals like China and Russia that challenge our interests, our economy, and our values. In confronting these dangers, we know that weakness is the surest path to conflict, and
unmatched power is the surest means of our defense.For this reason, I am asking the Congress to end the dangerous defense sequester and fully fund our great military.
As part of our defense, we must modernize and rebuild our nuclear arsenal, hopefully never having to use it, but making it so strong and powerful that it will deter any acts of aggression.
Perhaps someday in the future there will be a magical moment when the countries of the world will get together to eliminate their nuclear weapons. Unfortunately, we are not there yet.
Source: 2018 State of the Union address
Jan 30, 2018
On Homeland Security:
Keep Guantanamo open; stop releases & add new prisoners
Terrorists who do things like place bombs in civilian hospitals are evil. When possible, we annihilate them. When necessary, we must be able to detain and question them. But we must be clear: Terrorists are not merely criminals. They are unlawful enemy
combatants. And when captured overseas, they should be treated like the terrorists they are.In the past, we have foolishly released hundreds of dangerous terrorists, only to meet them again on the battlefield--including the ISIS leader, al-Baghdadi.
So today, I am keeping another promise. I just signed an order to reexamine our military detention policy and to keep open the detention facilities at Guantanamo Bay.
I am also asking the Congress to ensure that, in the fight against ISIS and al-Qa'ida, we continue to have all necessary power to detain terrorists--wherever we chase them down.
Source: 2018 State of the Union address
Jan 30, 2018
On Immigration:
Close deadly loopholes that allow in gangs like MS-13
For decades, open borders have allowed drugs and gangs to pour into our most vulnerable communities. They have caused the loss of many innocent lives.Tonight, I am calling on the Congress to finally close the deadly loopholes that have allowed MS-13,
and other criminals, to break into our country. We have proposed new legislation that will fix our immigration laws, and support our ICE and Border Patrol Agents.
[OnTheIssues note: MS-13, or Mara Salvatrucha, is an international criminal gang based
Source: 2018 State of the Union address
Jan 30, 2018
On Immigration:
Americans are DREAMers too; pass a bipartisan compromise
The United States is a compassionate nation. We are proud that we do more than any other country to help the needy, the struggling, and the underprivileged all over the world. But as President, my highest loyalty, my greatest compassion, and my constant
concern is for America's children, America's struggling workers, and America's forgotten communities.So tonight, I am extending an open hand to work with members of both parties--Democrats and Republicans. My duty is to defend Americans--to protect
their safety, their families, their communities, and their right to the American Dream. Because Americans are dreamers too.
In recent months, we met extensively with both Democrats and Republicans to craft a bipartisan approach to immigration reform.
Based on these discussions, we presented the Congress with a detailed proposal that should be supported by both parties as a fair compromise. [OnTheIssues note:"DREAMers" refers to DACA immigrants, who arrived in the US as minors, under the DREAM Act].
Source: 2018 State of the Union address
Jan 30, 2018
On Immigration:
Four pillars to a fair compromise, including 1.8M DREAMers
Here are the four pillars of our bipartisan immigration reform package:- Generously offer a path to citizenship for 1.8 million illegal immigrants who were brought here by their parents at a young age.
- Fully secure the border. That means
building a wall on the Southern border. Crucially, our plan closes the terrible loopholes exploited by criminals and terrorists to enter our country--and it finally ends the dangerous practice of "catch and release."
- End the visa lottery, and move
Source: 2018 State of the Union address
Jan 30, 2018
On Immigration:
Replace visa lottery with merit-based system
TRUMP: [My immigration package] ends the visa lottery--a program that randomly hands out green cards without any regard for skill, merit, or the safety of our people. It is time to begin moving towards a merit-based immigration system--one that admits
people who are skilled, who want to work, who will contribute to our society, and who will love and respect our country.Christian Science Monitor explanation:The president & his supporters appear to be defining merit as highly skilled,
well-educated immigrants who speak English and can support themselves. But what about strawberry pickers? Those jobs are commonly performed by low-skilled immigrants. The administration points to countries such as Canada and Australia that have supply-
oriented policies. These countries have long used point systems to qualify applicants, assigning them points for education, working age, employment, language, & other skills that determine their likelihood of assimilation and contribution to the economy.
Source: Christian Science Monitor on 2018 State of the Union address
Jan 30, 2018
On Jobs:
Get Motor City revving its engines again
In Detroit, I halted Government mandates that crippled America's autoworkers--so we can get the Motor City revving its engines once again. Many car companies are now building and expanding plants in the US--something we have not seen for decades.
Chrysler is moving a major plant from Mexico to Michigan. Soon, plants will be opening up all over the country. This is all news Americans are unaccustomed to hearing--for many years, companies and jobs were only leaving us. But now they are coming back.
Source: 2018 State of the Union address
Jan 30, 2018
On Jobs:
200,000 new manufacturing jobs with lowest unemployment ever
Since the election, we have created 2.4 million new jobs, including 200,000 new jobs in manufacturing alone. After years of wage stagnation, we are finally seeing rising wages. Unemployment claims have hit a 45-year low.
African-American unemployment stands at the lowest rate ever recorded, and Hispanic American unemployment has also reached the lowest levels in history.
Source: 2018 State of the Union address to United States Congress
Jan 30, 2018
On Principles & Values:
Judges should just interpret law, like religious liberty
For the last year we have sought to restore the bonds of trust between our citizens and their Government. Working with the Senate, we are appointing judges who will interpret the Constitution as written, including a great new Supreme
Court Justice, and more circuit court judges than any new administration in the history of our country. We are defending our Second Amendment, and have taken historic actions to protect religious liberty.
Source: 2018 State of the Union address
Jan 30, 2018
On Tax Reform:
Doubled standard deduction for all; average $2000 tax cut
Just as I promised the American people from this podium 11 months ago, we enacted the biggest tax cuts and reforms in American history. Our massive tax cuts provide tremendous relief for the middle class and small businesses.
To lower tax rates for hardworking Americans, we nearly doubled the standard deduction for everyone. Now, the first $24,000 earned by a married couple is completely tax-free. We also doubled the child tax credit.
A typical family of four making $75,000 will see their tax bill reduced by $2,000--slashing their tax bill in half.
This April will be the last time you ever file under the old broken system--and millions of Americans will have more take-home pay starting next month.
Source: 2018 State of the Union address
Jan 30, 2018
On Technology:
$1.5T for new investment to fix infrastructure deficit
It is time to rebuild our crumbling infrastructure. Tonight, I am calling on the Congress to produce a bill that generates at least $1.5 trillion for the new infrastructure investment we need.
Every Federal dollar should be leveraged by partnering with State and local governments and, where appropriate, tapping into private sector investment--to permanently fix the infrastructure deficit.
Together, we can reclaim our building heritage. We will build gleaming new roads, bridges, highways, railways, and waterways across our land.
And we will do it with American heart, American hands, and American grit.
Source: 2018 State of the Union address
Jan 30, 2018
On Technology:
Change permitting rules to build reliable infrastructure
America is a nation of builders. We built the Empire State Building in just 1 year--is it not a disgrace that it can now take 10 years just to get a permit approved for a simple road?I am asking both parties to come together to give us the safe,
fast, reliable, and modern infrastructure our economy needs and our people deserve.
Any bill must also streamline the permitting and approval process--getting it down to no more than two years, and perhaps even one.
Source: 2018 State of the Union address
Jan 30, 2018
On Immigration:
Fact-check: End chain migration? It can't actually happen
[My immigration plan] protects the nuclear family by ending chain migration. Under the current broken system, a single immigrant can bring in virtually unlimited numbers of distant relatives. Under our plan, we focus on the immediate family by limiting
sponsorships to spouses and minor children. Politico.com Fact-Check: Family reunification has been the basis for immigration since 1965. Under this law, if you marry that guy you met while working in Shanghai, you can bring him home.
And his 2-year-old. And when you'd like his parents to help with child care, you can bring them in too, after a few years. If we had a family immigration system without limits, this structure could theoretically lead to the dreaded chain migration. That
Chinese spouse can petition for his sister, and her family, and so on. But the immigration system's waiting lists make chain migration a theory that doesn't really happen in practice. This is because each link in the chain takes years to complete. \
Source: Politico.com FactCheck on 2018 State of the Union address
Jan 26, 2018
On Jobs:
Fact-check: African-American unemployment lowest in history
TRUMP: Since the election, we have created 2.4 million new jobs. Unemployment claims have hit a 45-year low. African-American unemployment stands at the lowest rate ever recorded, and Hispanic American unemployment has also reached the lowest levels in
history [TV camera shows Congressional Black Caucus members who did not applaud--why not?]NPR Fact-Check: Trump's numbers are right, but it's generally a stretch for presidents to take credit for job creation. The unemployment rate for
black Americans is currently 6.8%, the lowest level recorded since the government started keeping track in 1972. And Hispanic unemployment rate is at 4.9%, close to a record low. However, Trump is implying that he caused these low African-American and
Hispanic unemployment rates. But those rates had been falling relatively steadily since around 2010, under Pres. Obama, and their declines don't appear to have picked up speed. This implies that there's nothing specific that Trump did to change this rate
Source: NPR Fact-Check on 2018 State of the Union address
Jan 8, 2018
On Government Reform:
FactCheck: Removed more regulations than other presidents
TRUMP: In our drive to make Washington accountable, we have eliminated more regulations in our first year than any administration in history. Is that true? Washington Post Fact-Check: One possible measurement is regulations withdrawn,
determined from the OMB database, narrowed just to an administration's first sweep through the regulations:
- Bush: 181
- Obama: 156
- Trump: 469
Ronald Reagan also launched a major effort to rein in regulations. In June 1981, Reagan issued a statement that said in the first three months, 181 regulations had been "withdrawn, modified or reviewed."
[That was only 6 months in], but in any case, Reagan's number is lower than Trump's. So score one for Trump, at least in terms of raw numbers.
Source: Washington Post FactCheck on 2018 State of the Union address
Oct 12, 2017
Page last updated: Jan 18, 2020