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As it happenedended

State of the Union: Trump interrupted by chanting as Pelosi rips up address on live TV

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Clark Mindock
New York
,Alex Woodward
Tuesday 04 February 2020 23:42 EST
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Nancy Pelosi rips up Trump's State of the Union speech in front of him

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Donald Trump has delivered his third State of the Union, a high-profile address made this year in the shadow of an ongoing impeachment trial and months away from the president's re-election.

The optimistic speech came just a day after Democrats oversaw a breakdown in its election processes in Iowa, where the 2020 Democratic primary season got off to a disastrous start that has still failed to deliver results nearly a day later.

But Mr Trump's speech was not without its own discord. Just before the address, the president was seen appearing to snub a handshake attempt from Ms Pelosi.

Then, after the speech, Ms Pelosi added to the night's drama by tearing up her copy of the speech, in plain view of the president and the cameras broadcasting the address across the nation.

The president had focused in his address on perceived victories over the past three years, and has remarked on his priorities for the coming year, reportedly including middle class tax cuts, school choice, immigration and the military.

He told one Philadelphia student that she would be getting a school scholarship, surprised a military family with the return of their soldier from Afghanistan and also instructed the first lady to give Rush Limbaugh the presidential medal of freedom, the highest honour for a citizen in the US.

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AOC is joined by several other Democrats in boycotting tonight's speech

Ms Ocasio-Cortez is joined by the likes of Ayanna Pressley and others in boycotting the president's speech. Take a look at our full read-through:

Clark Mindock4 February 2020 21:45

Susan Collins becomes latest Republican to condemn Trump while letting him off the hook

Ms Collins, a Republican from Main, is facing a potentially tough re-election. Take a look at the statement she made on the Senate floor today.

Clark Mindock4 February 2020 22:05

Iowa results are beginning to come in, finally

With just over 60 per cent of the precincts reporting, Bernie Sanders is leading with 26 per cent, Pete Buttigieg is in second with 25 per cent and Elizabeth Warren in third with 21 per cent.

Joe Biden is in fourth at 13 per cent, and Amy Klobuchar is behind him at 12 per cent. No other candidate topped 10 per cent.

Clark Mindock4 February 2020 22:14

Trump may not talk about impeachment tonight, but it isn't far from his mind

The president reportedly told major news anchors today that he would tackle the subject of impeachment tomorrow night, after a vote in the Senate.

Clark Mindock4 February 2020 22:25

Women Democrats wearing white again

Just like last year, when they wore "suffragette white" to Mr Trump's State of the Union.

Clark Mindock4 February 2020 22:45

Elizabeth Warren speaks out ahead of the State of the Union

While AOC and others have declined to show up tonight, Elizabeth Warren still seems ready to attend —but is making her distaste clear beforehand.

Here's her statement:

Clark Mindock4 February 2020 23:35

Mike Bloomberg seems to be trolling Donald Trump in Philadelphia

With the president set to deliver his third State of the Union, Mr Bloomberg is in Philadelphia just a short walk away from the spot where the Declaration of Independence was signed.

He's delivering a speech at the Constitution Center, and tweets from inside and out indicate long lines and a packed house.

Clark Mindock4 February 2020 23:54

Sanders campaign claims form of victory in Iowa

The campaign has claimed that the result now coming in out of Iowa show that more people voted for Sanders as a first choice than any other candidate in the first and second rounds yesterday evening.

Clark Mindock4 February 2020 23:55

Donald Trump will participate in general election debates

At least, he told TV anchors so this afternoon during a lunch ahead of the State of the Union, according to the New York Times.

Clark Mindock5 February 2020 00:24

Bernie Sanders and Pete Buttigieg are already in New Hampshire, trying to attract voters ahead of the primary there next week

Mr Sanders, on the stump, has taken some time to boast about the raw numbers in Iowa — where he won the most votes, but appears behind in the delegate count.

Mr Buttigieg, who is ahead in the delegate count according to the current level of precinct releases, choked up at the idea, and praised the vote as historic for gay people like him.

Clark Mindock5 February 2020 00:37

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