Trump’s State of the Union speech – at a glance

In what became the longest-ever address of its kind, President Donald Trump provided his update on America as part of his State of the Union address, offering victorious – and sometimes combative – remarks, praising the work of fellow Republicans and outlining his future agenda.

The annual address by the president is made to members of the US Congress, his cabinet, members of the Supreme Court – along with the president’s family and other guests.

The speech came at a particularly pivotal time for the president as tensions flare over Iran, and just days after his global tariffs programme was struck down by the nation’s highest court.

There are also continued worries over affordability in the US – which is considered by pundits to be an issue that could cause Trump’s Republican Party to lose full control of the US Congress in midterm elections later this year.

Here are several key moments from his evening in the spotlight, speaking to a sharply divided Congress and an audience of tens of millions of Americans.

1. Speech sets record for length – focusing on domestic issues and touching on Iran

Trump’s speech made a number of claims about the economy, which he said was “roaring like never before”, and he said the US now had “the strongest and most secure border in American history”.

He said his achievements in office so far meant that he had transformed the US from a nation in crisis into the “hottest” country on Earth.

Clocking in at a record one hour and 47 minutes, Trump’s address beat the previous record-holder, by Bill Clinton, by nearly 20 minutes.

2. Trump comes face-to-face with justices who struck down his tariffs

It was the first time that Trump – at least publicly – came into contact with members of the Supreme Court since he railed against their decision on Friday. The US top court struck down the bulk of his global tariffs, saying he had overstepped his authority.

All of the court’s justices are invited to the president’s state of the union address, but on Tuesday evening, only four of the nine were present: Chief Justice John Roberts and Justices Amy Coney Barrett, Elena Kagan and Brett Kavanaugh.

As is customary, Trump shook the hand of Roberts as he moved to the podium, but the pair shared a stoic look – a possible sign of the lingering tension since the president lambasted the six justices, Roberts included, who ruled against the levies.