Sealed With a Kiss: Top moments from Joe Biden's State of the Union speech
US president Joe Biden’s State of the Union address was packed with optimism and hope. However, First Lady Jill Biden stole the show by planting a kiss on the lips of Vice President Kamala Harris’ husband, Douglas Emhoff
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It was supposed to be Joe Biden’s moment. But his wife, Jill Biden, stole the show when she kissed Vice President Kamala Harris’ husband Douglas Emhoff at the State of the Union address. Kellyanne Conway, the former advisor of ex-President Donald Trump shared the picture of the kiss with a wry, “Wow COVID is really over,” tweet. AFP
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On Tuesday night at the national Capitol, US President Joe Biden delivered his second State of the Union address, the first after he lost the majority in the US House of Representatives. He aimed at reassuring a country beset by pessimism and fraught political divisions. AP
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Amid Biden’s speech, Republican extremist Marjorie Taylor Greene stood up to yell “liar” when he suggested that some Republicans want to “sunset” Social Security and Medicare. The 80-year-old backtracked immediately saying, “I’m not saying it’s a majority of you. I don’t even think it’s even significant – but it’s being proposed by individuals. I’m politely not naming them, but it’s being proposed by some of you.” AFP
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The president mentioned China and its leader, Xi Jinping, at least seven times in his address, focusing mainly on how the US was increasingly prepared to compete with Beijing while also seeking to avoid conflict. AP
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“I’ve made clear with President Xi that we seek competition, not conflict. I will make no apologies that we are investing to make America strong. Investing in American innovation, in industries that will define the future, and that China’s government is intent on dominating," he said. AP
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At the beginning of his speech, US pesident Joe Biden shook hands with new House Speaker Kevin McCarthy. He joked, ““Speaker, I don’t want to ruin your reputation, but I look forward to working with you.” AP
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During his speech, Biden reaffirmed his plea to prohibit so-called “assault weapons,” earning a standing ovation from his party and head shaking from the opposition. Ban assault weapons now. “Ban them now, once and for all,” President Biden said.
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Instead of flashy proposals, the president offered an encouraging assessment of the nation’s condition, declaring that two years after the Capitol attack, America’s democracy was “unbowed and unbroken.” AP
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The president exhorted Congress to help “finish the job” of delivering for hard-working families. He said, “There is no reason we can’t work together and find consensus on the important thing in this Congress as well. The people sent us a clear message. Fighting for the sake of fighting, power for the sake of power, conflict for the sake of conflict, gets us nowhere, That’s always been my vision for the country: to restore the soul of the nation, to rebuild the backbone of America — the middle class — and unite the country. We’ve been sent here to finish the job!” AFP
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