Last night, President Donald Trump delivered his first joint address to Congress, an event that technically isn’t dubbed a “State of the Union” until a president’s second year in office. The evening was marked by Trump’s enthusiasm as he outlined his vision for America and took time to recognize key members of his administration, including Elon Musk, Pam Bondi, Linda McMahon, Kash Patel, Sean Duffy, and Marco Rubio, among others. His energy was palpable, setting an optimistic tone for the night. Despite the constant interruption from the peanut gallery leading to Democrat Rep. Al Green's ejection from the speech.
One of the standout moments came when Trump introduced a 13-year-old boy named D.J. Daniel. Diagnosed with brain cancer in 2018 and given just five months to live, D.J. has defied the odds for over six years. His dream? To become a police officer. Alongside his father, D.J. has pursued that dream relentlessly, earning honorary titles from police departments who adore him. Trump, clearly moved, announced a special honor:
“Tonight, D.J., we’re going to do you the biggest honor of them all. I am asking our new Secret Service director, Sean Curran, to officially make you an agent of the United States Secret Service.”
The crowd erupted in applause, and it was hard not to feel a lump in the throat as D.J.’s resilience was celebrated.
D.J. Daniel joined President Trump at the Joint Session—a 13-year-old battling cancer who has been sworn in as an honorary officer over 900 times.
— The White House (@WhiteHouse) March 5, 2025
President Trump made his dream come true, swearing him in as a Secret Service agent. pic.twitter.com/HkVf8LlPTD
But not everyone shared in the moment’s warmth. Notably, Democrats in the chamber remained seated, offering no cheers for D.J.’s inspiring story. The disconnect grew starker when MSNBC’s Nicole Wallace later remarked that she hoped D.J. wouldn’t “commit suicide protecting the U.S. Capitol against Trump supporters.” What could have been a unifying tribute to a young man’s courage instead highlighted a bitter divide.
Trump didn’t stop there. He also spotlighted Jason Hartley, a high school senior carrying a family legacy of service. Jason’s father, grandfather, and great-grandfather all served in uniform, but tragedy struck when his dad, a Los Angeles County sheriff’s deputy, passed away during Jason’s childhood. Now, Jason aims to honor that legacy by attending the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. A six-letter varsity athlete with a stellar 4.46 GPA, Jason’s dedication paid off—and Trump delivered the good news live: “I’m pleased to inform you that your application has been accepted. You’ll soon be joining the Corps of Cadets.” The room buzzed with pride.
In a spontaneous display of camaraderie, D.J. crossed the aisle to high-five Jason, a gesture that symbolized the unity America craves. Yet, the image that lingers isn’t this heartwarming exchange—it’s the Democrats’ refusal to stand for D.J., a kid battling brain cancer, seemingly overshadowed by their disdain for the president honoring him.
The moment when DJ gave Jason a high-five IS WHAT THE AMERICAN DREAM IS ALL ABOUT!
— Erin (Air-Ren) Thatcher (@eethatcher) March 5, 2025
The only logical reason for Democrats behavior is they hate America. pic.twitter.com/Ck7bv89mo1
What should have been a night of shared pride in two young Americans chasing their dreams instead underscored a persistent rift. Trump’s speech aimed to spotlight hope and resilience, but the response from some revealed how far apart the nation remains. Yet this country, as Ronald Reagan said, is still a shining city on the hill - even with the division continually inspired by the Democrats in Congress.
Join the conversation as a VIP Member