The White House has released a list of mostly well-known MAGA names praising Donald Trump’s “masterclass” speech to a joint session of Congress.
The Office of Communications press release largely played it safe by sticking to Trumpers for their reactions.
The list includes 60 people, including members of Trump’s cabinet, GOP senators, and right-leaning media personalities.
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Responses to Trump’s marathon speech fell almost completely along party lines with Democratic Party leaders panning the president’s boasts and his attacks on the Biden administration.
But, according to the White House, the address was widely seen as a triumph.
Speaker Mike Johnson was quoted as saying: “Tonight, President Trump made his triumphant return to Congress to share his bold, optimistic vision for renewing the American Dream.”
Then there was Sen. Ted Cruz: “This is the fifth State of the Union address I’ve seen Trump give—it was by far his best.”
Fox News could be relied on to tell it straight. Fox News’s Bret Baier had this to say: “The best moment—emotional moment, was DJ, who’s battling cancer. He wanted to be a police officer and during the speech, the president said the Secret Service has made him an agent.”
And the White House was happy to highlight this from Fox News’s Brit Hume: “If you ever doubted that Donald Trump is the political colossus of our time and our nation, this night and this speech should have put that to rest.”
A blast from the past brought Geraldo Rivera saying: “Trump was strong, defiant and entertaining.”
Former CNN analyst Chris Cillizza was a more daring choice for inclusion by the White House, but he was onside this time, writing: “That was a very effective speech. You can hate it or him. But that speech was aimed squarely at issues where the public is with Trump -- and filled with made-for-sharing moments. A master image-maker at work (and you can hate him and acknowledge that’s true!)”
Who better than a MAGA-loving model to add her critique? Amber Rose decided “Donald Trump just gave the greatest presidential speech of all-time.”
No surprises from right-wing Breitbart’s Matthew Boyle: “This speech is one of Trump’s best ever, and the Democrat behavior during it has been not only despicable but also colossally politically stupid. Whoever is advising these idiots just steered their party into an even deeper ditch than Joe Biden and Kamala Harris left them in.”
Curiously, the White House also included an unnamed Pennsylvania resident)" href="https://urldefense.com/v3/__https:/whitehouse.us10.list-manage.com/track/click?u=dace49741569f7585670378b3&id=32aa748af7&e=94a9735c24__;!!LsXw!WLHNyqd-5RINzsel-dCAGAiFQrI3M3pRMzXajl0ngQXmbmyO1UZTR-oTuE5MVP9Mjf95-9JgSJYjctU0xdpcM_glvN8WABg7$" rel="">Pennsylvania resident telling CNN: “I thought it was very positive... We used to be a country that would just let everything happen... I think now, we’re taking back things that should’ve never been given away. So, I think doing those tariffs... it’s well overdue.”
Then it was time for the diehards (who also owe the president their jobs).
Secretary of State Marco Rubio said: “An inspiring and momentous speech. @POTUS returned to the White House with a clear mandate from the American people to renew the American Dream. His address tonight laid out exactly how he is keeping those promises with a vision of peace through strength, and a stronger, safer, and more prosperous United States.”
Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem: “Tonight, President Trump laid out his vision to renew the American dream. In just a few short weeks, President Trump’s immigration and border security policies have led to an all-time-low in illegal crossings at the southern border. The message is clear: America’s borders are closed to lawbreakers.”
Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent: “Strength. Prosperity. Peace. Tonight, President Trump shared his historic vision for our nation in renewing the American dream. He has done more in the past six weeks for the American people, than the previous administration in four years.”
Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum: “The previous administration used a whole-of-government approach to oppose reliable, affordable U.S. energy production in favor of unreliable, unaffordable intermittent sources. The Trump administration is working overtime to undo all the damage done during the Biden years and we are fast-tracking America’s path to a New Golden Age through Energy Dominance!”
Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth: “Thank you @POTUS it is the honor of my life to serve the American warfighter.”
Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins: “@POTUS spoke loud and clear on American agriculture. He loves America’s farmers, and they have no more faithful friend nor more powerful champion. He will defend them, and if anyone doubted it — they don’t after tonight.”
Secretary of Energy Chris Wright: “President Trump is renewing the American Dream, and we here @Energy are with him every step of the way to unleash American energy dominance!”
UN Ambassador-designate Elise Stefanik: “In just one month under President Trump, Americans have experienced record results and the renewal of the American Dream with the triumphant return of strong leadership to the Oval Office. From securing the border, to cutting wasteful spending of our hard earned taxpayer dollars, to reasserting America First peace through strength leadership to the world stage, President Trump has delivered the most exceptional first month of an American presidency in history. Promises made, promises kept. The American Golden Age is here.”
Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Scott Turner: “The American people sent President Trump to enact generational change in Washington. What @POTUS has accomplished in less than two months is nothing short of remarkable. This is what America first feels like.”
Small Business Administration Administrator Kelly Loeffler: “This was a tour de force of a President who, in 42 days, has more accomplishments than Joe Biden had in four years -- It is a new day in America and people at home had to have loved what they’ve seen from this great President.” Secretary of Education
Linda McMahon: “Tremendous address by President Trump tonight. America is back, & the work is only beginning. I will work hard to make @POTUS’ vision for education a reality — preparing our students for the workforce & empowering their parents will be vital to our nation’s future success.”
EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin: “This vision of President Trump will usher in the greatest four years in American history. Honored to be a part of this amazing Cabinet working hard to restore our nation to glory. Will continue to do my part @EPA to Power the Great American Comeback.”
Then there were the inevitable suck-up quotes from GOP members of Congress, including Sen. Lindsey Graham, who said: “My take on President @realDonaldTrump’s address tonight: Inspiring, funny, compelling and the Democrats’ worst nightmare.”
And Rep. Nancy Mace kept it mercifully brief: “Best speech ever.”
