The central theme of Trump’s address

Plus, watch Rachel Maddow fact-check Trump |

VIEW IN BROWSER MSNBC DAILY Understand today's news Wednesday, Mar. 05, 2025 THE LATEST Trump regains his bully pulpit By Anthony L. Fisher Trump regains his bully pulpit By Anthony L. Fisher President Donald Trump's first joint address of his second term was absurd for many reasons — the most obvious being that it took place in the same chamber ransacked by some of his most devoted followers during the Jan. 6 riot. Most comedians never get to enjoy a comeback as dramatic and ridiculous.   And comedy was a central theme of his speech. Trump's supporters and apologists and even some of his most ardent critics acknowledge that he's got a quick, sardonic New York wit. He can "break chops" with the best of them, even if he has absolutely no sense of humor about himself. But when he's in stand-up mode, as he was for much of Tuesday night, he's a bully comic. And the lines he serves up aren't so much funny as they are weaponized against those he and his followers consider the enemy.    This is a preview of Anthony L. Fisher's latest article. Read the full column here. TOP STORIES MSNBC LIVE BLOG Highlights: Trump speech touts administration's dramatic overhaul of government Some Democrats boycotted the joint address, including Reps. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Gerry Connolly. Read more.  HAYES BROWN Where Sen. Elissa Slotkin won me over in the Democratic response  As muddled as their message can be at times, Democrats still share a common vision for the bare minimum of what this country deserves. Read more.  ZEESHAN ALEEM Trump won the White House due to inflation. Now he's turbo-charging it. Americans' economic pain is only set to get worse with Trump's new trade war. Read more.  HAYES BROWN Pam Bondi is struggling to find lawyers to defend the Trump agenda The scramble to try to fill these roles is an encouraging  sign that the federal justice system, while deeply strained, is still holding out against Trump's consolidation of power. Read more.   TOP VIDEOS 'Flat-out lied': Rachel Maddow fact-checks Trump's joint address WATCH NOW Full speech: Sen. Elissa Slotkin delivers Democratic response WATCH NOW Rep. Al Green removed from House floor after interrupting Trump's speech WATCH NOW 'The work is really falling apart': Fired federal workers reflect on what they had to leave behind WATCH NOW MORE FROM MSNBC In a new episode of "Main Justice," MSNBC Legal Analysts Andrew Weissmann and Mary McCord dissect the Trump administration's attack on lawyers and what it means for the rule of law, as firings and demotions continue to reverberate around the federal government. Listen now, and subscribe to MSNBC Premium on Apple Podcasts for ad-free listening and bonus content. In a new episode of "Why Is This Happening?," Chris Hayes is joined by Elle Reeve, author of "Black Pill: How I Witnessed the Darkest Corners of the Internet Come to Life, Poison Society, and Capture American Politics," to discuss how the battle between the right and left is spilling out from the darkest corners of the internet into the real world. Listen now, and subscribe to MSNBC Premium on Apple Podcasts for ad-free listening and bonus content.   MSNBC INSIGHTS Have you ever wanted to provide MSNBC with your opinion about their TV programs, documentaries, and digital products, such as MSNBC.com, newsletters, and podcasts? Now is your chance! Join the MSNBC Insights Community.   Download the MSNBC App: 30 Rockefeller Plaza New York, NY 10112 PRIVACY | CONTACT | UNSUBSCRIBE