State of the Union: Key takeaways from Biden’s address

President Biden addressed the nation Thursday evening for the third time sharing his accomplishments and his plans as he continues to run for reelection.

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Trump ended his posts

Update 11:12 p.m. EST March 7: Former President Donald Trump ended his posts on his Truth Social claiming that Biden lies, according to NBC News.

“Whether the Fake News Media likes admitting it or not, there was tremendous misrepresentation and lies in that Speech,” Trump wrote on Truth Social. “But the People of our Country get it, and they know that November 5th will be the Most Important Day in our Nation’s History!”

Biden left the House chamber at least 25 minutes

Update 11:09 p.m. EST March 7: President Biden left the House chamber nearly 30 minutes after he ended his State of the Union Address, The New York Times reported.

Biden’s 2024 speech shorter than his last one

Update 10:45 p.m. EST March 7: President Biden’s speech Thursday evening went for about an hour and seven minutes, according to CNN. It was about 6 minutes shorter than his one in 2023 which was about an hour and 13 minutes.

Biden ends his address

Update 10:36 p.m. EST March 7: President Biden ended his State of the Union address at 10:30 p.m. EST, according to NBC News.

Biden demands humanitarian aid into Gaza

Update 10:31 p.m. EST March 7: President Biden promises that there will be no U.S. military forces in Gaza, The Associated Press reported.

He said the U.S. military will help create a temporary port on Gaza’s coast to increase the aid into the region.

“A temporary pier will enable a massive increase in humanitarian assistance getting into Gaza,” Biden said.

The hope is that the U.S. will be more involved directly in shipments, The New York Times reported.

Trump has been posting on Truth Social

Update 10:23 p.m. EST March 7: After some technical issues with Truth Social, Former President Donald Trump has been posting criticism over Biden’s speech over issues including inflation, the border and his speech delivery, The Associated Press reported.

“He is so angry and crazy!” Trump said of Biden.

He is also trying to defend himself over some of the indirect attacks from Biden during his speech, the AP reported.

Biden said to get him the border bill

Update 10:18 p.m. EST March 7: President Biden is urging Congress to pass a border security bill, NBC News reported.

It has become a key issue for voters, according to CNN.

“We can fight about fixing the border, or we can fix it. I want to fix it,” Biden said about Congress getting him the border bill to sign, The New York Times reported.

Biden picked up one of the buttons during his address that Majorie Taylor Greene passed out that said “Say Her Name: Laken Riley,” according to The New York Times.

The Laken Riley Act was passed earlier in the day by the House.

Biden vows to lower prescription drug costs

Update 10:13 p.m. EST March 7: President Biden said he will work on lowering prescription drug costs, CNN reported.

“Americans pay more for prescription drugs than anywhere in the world,” Biden said. “It’s wrong and I’m ending it. With a law I proposed and signed, and not one of you Republican buddies voted for, we finally beat Big Pharma.”

First lady to launch women’s health research initiative

Update 10:06 p.m. EST March 7: President Biden said that First Lady Jill Biden will be launching a White House initiative on women’s health research, ABC News reported.

“Women are more than half our population, but research on women’s health has always been underfunded,” Biden said.

Pres. Biden announces that First Lady Jill Biden will launch the first White House initiative on women’s health research.

“Women are more than half our population, but research on women’s health has always been underfunded.”https://t.co/QrubIFcQ2W pic.twitter.com/3dpJ0ge6ON
— ABC News (@ABC) March 8, 2024

Three big topics in Biden’s speech

Update 9:47 p.m. EST March 7: Biden started his address with three big topics - Ukraine, Jan. 6 and abortion, NBC News reported.

Biden begins his address

Update 9:27 p.m. EST March 7: President Biden started his State of the Union speech at 9:26 p.m. EST, according to NBC News.

Biden arrives at Capitol after taking a longer route from the White House

Update 9:07 p.m. EST March 7: President Biden arrived at the Capitol after his motorcade took a longer route than usual due to pro-ceasefire protestors, The Associated Press reported.

The first lady and second gentleman traveled with the president, NBC News reported.

Former Rep. George Santos spotted on House floor

Update 7:44 p.m. EST March 7: Former Rep. George Santos who was expelled from the House chamber in December was seen arriving at the Republican side, according to The Associated Press. Santos is currently facing criminal charges.

Being that Santos is a former member, he still has access to floor privileges, CNN reported. He will probably be standing in the chamber during the address.

White House releases excerpts from Biden’s address

Update 6:07 p.m. EST March 7: T he White House ahead of President Biden’s address releases a couple of excerpts from his speech.

“I came to office determined to get us through one of the toughest periods in our nation’s history. And we have. It doesn’t make the news, but in thousands of cities and towns the American people are writing the greatest comeback story never told. So let’s tell that story here and now. America’s comeback is building a future of American possibilities, building an economy from the middle out and the bottom up – not the top down, investing in all of America – in all Americans – to make sure everyone has a fair shot and we leave no one behind,” one of the excerpts read.

Original story: Biden is expected to discuss a few topics at the State of the Union address including a plan to increase humanitarian aid through Gaza, The Associated Press reported. Last weekend, the first batch of thousands of meals were airdropped from United States military planes into Gaza.

Biden is planning to announce a plan that the U.S. military will be working to help create a temporary port on Gaza’s coast to increase the aid into the region, senior administration officials told the AP. The plan will not require U.S. troop to be at the pier and no information has yet been shared about how it would be port will be constructed.

White House officials expect Biden to discuss abortion access, healthcare and tax policies, the AP reported.

State of the Union: What is a ‘designated survivor;’ how are they picked?

Biden is hoping to expand negations over drug prices and expand healthcare. So far, in 2022, Biden has helped lower drug prices for senior citizens with the Inflation Reduction Act, CNN reported. It gives Medicare the ability to negotiate prices.

He is expected to discuss security at the border in hopes that the GOP will pass a border bill, according to CNN.

Biden will also work to share his vision for the country and his plans for a second term if he is re-elected. He will showcase his accomplishments which include aid for Ukraine, migration rules, lower drug prices, infrastructure and manufacturing, the AP reported.

Biden could also bring up other topics like the economy, student loan debt forgiveness and inflation.

State of the Union: What to know about the president’s address to Congres

Former President Donald Trump said Wednesday that he will offer a live play-by-play analysis of President Joe Biden’s State of the Union address on Thursday. The announcement was made on Trump’s Truth Social account. It is expected to begin around 9 p.m. EST Thursday.

“I will be doing, by popular request, a live and full ‘Play by Play’ analysis of The State of the Union Address, TONIGHT ON ‘TRUTH’ AT 9:00 P.M.,” read the announcement.

“If properly done, and if Joe has just a modestly good night, this speech has the opportunity to rival any of the World’s great orators, including, Lincoln, Washington, and, of course, the late, great, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Sir Winston Churchill,” Trump added.

Trump went on to say, “I will correct, in rapid response, any and all inaccurate Statements, especially pertaining to the Border and his Weaponization of the [Department of Justice], FBI, [attorney generals], and District Attorneys, to go after his Political Opponent, ME (something never done before in this Country!),” Trump continued. “We did this once before to tremendous success – Beating All Records. It is important for the Country to get the TRUTH!”

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President Biden’s State of the Union 2024 WASHINGTON, DC - MARCH 7: U.S. President Joe Biden arrives in the House chamber to applause from House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) and Vice President Kamala Harris to deliver the annual State of the Union address before a joint session of Congress at the Capital building on March 7, 2024 in Washington, DC. This is Biden's final address before the November general election. (Photo by Alex Brandon-Pool/Getty Images) (Pool/Getty Images)