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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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"This is not good news," Mr Trump says of Rush Limbaugh's cancer diagnosis.

Clark Mindock5 February 2020 02:51

Mr Trump tells Rush Limbaugh he will be receiving the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

Clark Mindock5 February 2020 02:53

The first lady actually just gave Rush Limbaugh the presidential medal of honor, in the middle of the State of the Union address.

Limbaugh appears close to tears.

Clark Mindock5 February 2020 02:54

Trump announces he is asking for $50million in additional funds for neonatal patients.

Clark Mindock5 February 2020 02:56

Trump formally calls for the banning of late term abortions, to raucous cheers from Republicans. Pence stood to cheer that message.

President calls all children "sacred gifts from god".

Clark Mindock5 February 2020 02:57

The president is now on to cheering on Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

He is now saying that "radical politicians" in the US have decided to provide sanctuary to "dangerous criminal aliens". This isn't completely honest, however, as most sanctuary cities choose not to coordinate with federal law enforcement in cases where the individual has been convicted of minor, non-violent crimes.

Clark Mindock5 February 2020 03:03

Trump notes deals he has struck with Central American countries to keep migrants from making it to the United States, which he credits with a drop in migrants coming to the US.

Clark Mindock5 February 2020 03:06

Mr Trump gives a shout out to Brett Kavanaugh, and says many more judicial appointments are on the way.

Clark Mindock5 February 2020 03:09

Trump says he wants the United States to become the "first nation" to plant a flag on Mars.

Clark Mindock5 February 2020 03:11

Trump's full remarks on Kavanaugh: "With every action, my Administration is restoring the rule of law and re-asserting the culture of American freedom. Working with Senate Majority Leader McConnell and his colleagues in the Senate, we have confirmed a record number of 187 new Federal judges to uphold our Constitution as written. This includes two brilliant new Supreme Court Justices, Neil Gorsuch, and Brett Kavanaugh."

Clark Mindock5 February 2020 03:12

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