In record State of the Union, Trump spars with Dems, touts economy and immigration

President Trump introduced the men's hockey team at the State of the Union, with athletes entering the House chamber wearing their gold medals.

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Men's Olympic hockey team gets shout out from Trump at SOTU addressPresident Trump introduced the men's hockey team at the State of the Union, with athletes entering the House chamber wearing their gold medals.

ABCNews.com

The team flew to Washington earlier Tuesday on a government plane and spent the day at the White House.

Trump specifically shouted out goalie Connor Hellebuyck for his performance, and said he will be awarding him the Presidential Medal of Freedom -- the nation's highest civilian honor.

President Trump, early on in his speech, sought to highlight what his administration sees as economic wins: lower gas prices and a booming stock market.

"The roaring economy is roaring like never before," Trump said.

But most Americans disapprove of how he's handling the economy (57%) and inflation (65%), according to a recent ABC News/Washington Post/Ipsos poll.

President Trump early in his speech is addressing immigration, his best and worst issue, a recent ABC News/Washington Post/Ipsos poll finds.

Trump said the U.S. has "the strongest and most secure border in American history," though noted that those who come in legally and "will love our country" are always welcome.

Earlier in the evening, as Trump made his way down the chamber, Democrat Rep. Al Green of Texas held up a paper sheet that read, “BLACK PEOPLE AREN’T APES.”

The sign referenced a clip in a video Trump shared on social media that depicted President Barack Obama and Michelle Obama as apes for a few seconds. The video was taken down hours later and the White House said a staffer made the post.

Green was escorted out of the chamber while holding the sign minutes into the speech.

He was escorted out during last year's speech after he called out the president.