Trump hails 'golden age' in State of the Union as voters sour on economy

As he focused on economic achievements in his nearly two-hour-long speech, data showed that he was facing falling approval ratings, a slowing economy and mounting political pressures before the midterms.

WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump boasted in his State of the Union address on Tuesday (Feb 24) that he had ushered in "the golden age of America", seeking to project an aura of success despite sagging approval ratings and deepening voter frustration ahead of November's midterm election.

Heeding calls from Republican lawmakers worried they could lose their congressional majority later this year, Trump spent the first hour of his televised speech focused on the economy, saying he had slowed inflation, driven the stock market to record heights, signed sweeping tax cuts and lowered drug prices.

But it was unclear whether his rosy assessment would assuage Americans' anger about the cost of living. Trump sought to blame his Democratic predecessor, Joe Biden, for high prices, but opinion polls show voters hold Trump responsible for not doing more to ease an affordability crisis after he campaigned relentlessly on the issue.

"Our nation is back – bigger, better, richer and stronger than ever before," Trump said after taking the stage to cheers of "USA, USA" from fellow Republicans in Congress, with dozens of empty seats on the Democratic side a reminder that many lawmakers boycotted the speech in favour of anti-Trump rallies outside.

The annual speech to Congress came at a fraught moment for Trump's presidency, with polls showing a majority of Americans have soured on his performance, anxieties rising over Iran and his signature tariff policy foundering after the US Supreme Court struck down most of his import taxes.