Donald Trump constantly denigrated his predecessor Joe Biden but held out an olive branch to Ukraine in a rowdy and record-breaking State of the Union-style address to the US Congress in which he claimed a mandate for “bold and profound change”.

The 47th president laid out an alternative vision of democracy in which taxes would be cut, the public service would be shrunk and the executive branch of government – his administration – would “reclaim power from this unelected bureaucracy”.

US President Donald Trump departs following a joint session of Congress.Credit: Bloomberg

Before a highly charged and divided joint sitting of the House of Representatives and Senate, Trump delivered a long, rally-like speech that was heavy on political venom – rather than the unifying tone of most such addresses – and drew nearly as much jeering from Democrats as it did applause from Republicans.

Having on Tuesday suspended US military aid to Ukraine after his televised blow-up with that country’s president, Volodymyr Zelensky, Trump used the speech to soften his approach and hold out hope the two men might salvage their relationship.

Trump read from a letter he received from Zelensky declaring he was prepared to sign a deal giving the US access to Ukraine’s rare earth minerals and “ready to work under President Trump’s strong leadership to get a peace that lasts”. The letter mirrored a post Zelensky made earlier in the day on X.

“I appreciate that he sent this letter,” Trump said. “Simultaneously, we’ve had serious discussions with Russia and have received strong signals that they are ready for peace. Wouldn’t that........

© Brisbane Times