In record State of the Union, Trump spars with Dems, touts economy and immigration
The speech was a chance for Trump to make his case ahead of the midterms.
President Donald Trump delivered his State of the Union Tuesday night in Washington, as a majority of Americans disapprove of how he is handling inflation, tariffs, relations with other countries, immigration and the economy, according to an ABC News/Washington Post/Ipsos poll.
For Trump, the speech was a chance to make the case directly to millions of Americans ahead of November's midterm elections where control of Congress is at stake. Dozens of Democrats, meanwhile, skipped the speech in protest.
Key Headlines
Trump honors National Guard members with the Purple Heart
Trump awarded two Purple Heart medals to members of the National Guard who were attacked in Washington, D.C., in November.
In awarding the medals to Staff Sgt. Andrew Wolfe and to the family of late Army Specialist Sarah Beckstrom, who was killed in the attack, Trump praised their bravery.
“After a four-month deployment, she voluntarily extended her service, and her rank was going to be lifted. She was doing so well. They were so proud of her,” Trump said of Beckstrom.
Trump issues warning to Iran on nuclear weapons
Trump delivered a message to Iran as tensions continue to build in the region.
"They were warned to make no future attempts to rebuild their weapons program, in particular nuclear weapons, yet they continue, starting it all over," Trump said. "We wiped it out, and they want to start all over again, and are, at this moment, again pursuing their sinister ambitions."
"We are in negotiations with them. They want to make a deal, but we haven't heard those secret words, 'We will never have a nuclear weapon.'"
"My preference is to solve this problem through diplomacy. But one thing is certain, I will never allow the world's number one sponsor of terror, which they are by far, to have a nuclear weapon," he continued.
Trump honors Charlie Kirk, chamber applauds widow
Earlier in his speech, Trump paid respect to assassinated conservative host Charlie Kirk, and paid tribute to his widow Erika.
Members applauded her with a chant of "Charlie, Charlie."
"In Charlie's memory we must call come together to reaffirm that America is one nation under God, and we must totally reject political violence," Trump said.
At least a dozen Democrats have left the chamber
At least a dozen Democrats have exited the chamber by 10:24 p.m., roughly an hour into the speech.
Many of the members have left individually from time to time during the speech.
-ABC News' John Parkinson