US President Donald Trump boasted Tuesday of a "turnaround for the ages" in his State of the Union speech, saying he had ushered in a "golden age" ahead of crucial midterm elections.
Trump spent the first hour of his televised speech focused on the economy, saying he had curbed inflation, driven the stock market to record heights, signed sweeping tax cuts and lowered drug prices.
"Our nation is back -- bigger, better, richer and stronger than ever before," he said after taking the stage to cheers of "USA, USA" from his fellow Republicans in Congress, with dozens of empty seats on the Democratic side a reminder that many lawmakers boycotted the speech in favor of anti-Trump rallies outside.
In his speech, Trump described a nation with lower costs than when he took office, declaring, “This is the golden age of America.”
"Tonight, after just one year, I can say with dignity and pride that we have achieved a transformation like no one has ever seen before, and a turnaround for the ages," Trump said.
The annual speech to Congress carried enormous stakes for the president, with his approval ratings slumping, anxieties rising over Iran and Americans frustrated that he has not done more to address the high cost of living.
Trump fears his Republican Party will lose control over Congress in the November midterms, paralyzing the rest of his second term and exposing him to a possible third impeachment.
