The depth of the rift running through the United States, and just how irreconcilable the Republicans and Democrats are right now, became clear in the very first minutes of President Donald Trump's speech to Congress.

The 47th US president heaped praise on himself.

"We have accomplished more in 43 days than most administrations accomplished in four years, or eight years," said Trump to thunderous cheers of his supporters, "and we're just getting started!"

The Republican half of the hall repeatedly stood up and chanted, "USA! USA!," the Democratic members of Congress remained seated, mostly in icy silence.

Many Democrats held up signs reading "False!" or "Musk steals!"

Democratic representative Al Green was expelled from the chamber for interrupting Trump's speech with animated heckling. Many female Democrats wore pink clothing to signal their opposition to the new president.

Meanwhile, Donald Trump Jr, the president's son, commented on his father's speech on Elon Musk's social media platform X. Trump Jr. called the Democrats "crybabies," "full blown communists" and "an embarrassment."

The atmosphere was heated, but Donald Trump looked unfazed by it all.

"In fact, the whole thing was more like a campaign speech than a classic" speech to Congress, said Stormy-Annika Mildner, director of the Aspen Institute in Berlin.

She highlighted how the speech was peppered with harsh jabs at the previous Biden administration.

It started with the slogan: "America is back!" Trump then listed his government's........

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