• Trump declares ‘Golden Age’ at start of his address.
• His approval ratings falls sharply ahead of midterms.
• Poll shows 60% of Americans view Trump as erratic.

WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump declared that “this is the Golden Age of America” at the start of his State of the Union address on Tuesday, seeking to project an aura of success at a fraught moment for his presidency and his Republican Party.

“Our nation is back — bigger, better, richer and stronger than ever before,” he said after taking the stage to cheers of “USA, USA” from his party’s members of Congress.

The annual speech carried enormous stakes for the president, with his approval ratings slumping, anxieties rising over Iran and Americans struggling with the cost of living as the November midterm election nears.

The televised prime-time speech to Congress, his second in the 13 months since returning to the White House, offers Trump a chance to persuade voters to keep his fellow Republicans in power. But the president is facing stiff political headwinds at home and abroad.

Just days ago, the Supreme Court invalidated his signature global tariffs regime, and new data showed the economy slowed more than expected while inflation accelerated.

The Department of Homeland Security is mostly shut down due to a dispute between congressional Republicans and Democrats over the administration’s aggressive immigration tactics, following the fatal shootings of two US citizens in Minneapolis.

Meanwhile, Trump has struggled to turn the page on the scandal surrounding convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Opposition Democrats have invited several people who accuse Epstein of abusing them to the speech.

A Reuters/Ipsos poll showed six in 10 Americans, including 30% of Republicans, think Trump, 79, has become erratic as he ages. Only 40% of respondents approved of his job performance, compared with 58% who disapproved.

A public case against Iran 

Trump, who has openly coveted the Nobel Peace Prize and set up his own “Board of Peace,” also appears to be inching closer to a military conflict with Iran over its nuclear programme.

Tuesday’s speech could offer Trump a chance to mount for the first time a public case for military intervention. Two White House officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, said Trump will discuss his plans but did not offer details.

He will also tout his record of brokering peace deals, they said. Tuesday marked the fourth anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, a reminder that he has yet to resolve the war he once said he could end in 24 hours.

The president was expected to address the Supreme Court’s decision on tariffs, arguing that the court erred and outlining alternative laws he can use to reconstitute most of the levies.

Trump reacted with fury to the ruling last week, targeting several justices with personal attacks. A repeat performance on Tuesday could make for some awkward moments, with four of the court’s nine justices in attendance.

White House aides and Republican campaign advisers, eyeing a challenging congressional midterm election, have urged Trump to focus on Americans’ economic worries. Trump’s victory in the 2024 election was based in large part on his promises to ease the cost of living, but opinion polls show voters are unconvinced by his efforts so far.

Trump has struggled to stay on message, straying in public speeches from the economy to his long list of grievances while at other times declaring he has already solved the problem.

One of the White House officials said Trump will “claim victory on the economy,” a message Republican lawmakers running for re-election are unlikely to welcome. He will argue that he inherited a poor economy from Democratic predecessor Joe Biden and that Democrats have overstated affordability concerns, both officials said.

Trump will point to stock market gains, private-sector investments and his tax-cut legislation as evidence that he has helped the economy, the officials said. The president will also tout his tough border policies and his deportation campaign, despite polls showing most Americans believe his administration has gone too far in rounding up undocumented immigrants.

Lengthy speech expected

Trump, who has a propensity for ad-libbing, said on Monday his address would be lengthy. His 100-minute speech last March – technically not a State of the Union speech, but otherwise similar – was the longest presidential address to Congress in modern history.

The White House officials said this year’s edition was crafted with room for unscripted moments.

“We are planning around it,” one official said.

Last year, some Democrats interrupted Trump’s speech with jeers before walking out in protest. This time around, more than 20 Democrats in the House of Representatives and Senate skipped the speech altogether in favour of an outdoor rally on the National Mall.

Virginia Governor Abigail Spanberger, whose decisive victory in November was seen as an early midterm warning sign for Republicans, will deliver the official Democratic response to the speech.

Katherine Short, the daughter of comedian Martin Short, had been open about living with mental illness and the support she relied on in the years leading up to her death. 

On her now-deleted professional website, Katherine previously shared that she had a service dog named Joni, who helped her manage her condition on a daily basis.

“Joni is my incredible service dog, who has been assisting me with my own struggles with mental illness for the past 5 years,” Katherine wrote, explaining that the dog was named after singer Joni Mitchell. 

She described how the dog often accompanied her to work, adding, “Joni will often be in the office with me, cuddled up on her bed. She is an absolute sweetheart and just LOVES people, so don’t be surprised if she greets you with a smile, a wagging tail…and maybe even a kiss.”

The same website detailed Katherine’s professional life as a clinical social worker, highlighting her private practice and a wide range of specialisms, including anxiety, psychotic disorders and borderline personality disorder. 

She was also actively involved with Bring Change 2 Mind, a charity focused on tackling stigma around mental health.

Katherine was reportedly found dead at her Hollywood Hills home on Monday evening, with authorities later confirming the death was the result of a self-inflicted gunshot wound. 

She was 42. 

According to emergency officials, “At 6:41 p.m., we responded to a reported shooting at that address,” the Los Angeles Fire Department told Page Six, confirming a 911 call was received earlier that evening.

In a statement released following her death, the family said: “It is with profound grief that we confirm the passing of Katherine Hartley Short.

The Short family is devastated by this loss, and asks for privacy at this time. Katherine was beloved by all and will be remembered for the light and joy she brought into the world.”

Katherine was the adopted daughter of Martin Short and his late wife, Nancy Dolman, who died from cancer in 2010. 

Katy Perry has once again found herself at the centre of rumours, this time over fresh pregnancy chatter linked to her romance with Justin Trudeau. 

The speculation rose after recent photos of the pop star sparked questions across social media, with many fans wondering whether a baby announcement could be on the way. 

Those close to the singer, however, say the truth is far less dramatic.

The rumours began after Katy Perry was seen out in Montecito, California, with Justin Trudeau. 

During an outing at the Coral Casino and Cabana Club, Perry opted for a loose white cover-up rather than her usual figure-hugging style, while a robe draped across her midsection caught the attention of onlookers.

That single detail was enough to send the internet into frenzy, with some claiming she appeared to be hiding a baby bump.

Given that the couple have been linked for less than a year, the theory spread quickly. 

But a source close to the pair has firmly dismissed it, telling the Daily Mail: “There have been rumors recently that Katy is pregnant, but she is not.” 

The insider added that while public interest in the couple remains high, the claims are simply not true.

A month back, a news outlet reported that the songstress might in considering expanding the family with the politician.

They quoted an insider: “Katy’s ready to go all in right now with [Trudeau]. They’re even talking about having a child together.” 

The same insider added that the feeling is mutual, highlighting that Trudeau is just as committed. 

“Justin is very clear that he wants to build a life with her and there’s no one he’d rather be with.”

The spy further added that “Katy’s made no secret of wanting at least one other child,” and how “Justin’s the perfect fit” for that. 

However, at the time, fans didn’t seem to like the news.

“We literally don’t have time for this, Katy,” one fan wrote on Reddit, while another added humourously, “Leave the child alone Katy.”

“Katy Perry just STOP,” another chimed in, while someone wrote: “Why do we need to know about it?”

Perry and Trudeau’s relationship first surprised fans last July, when whispers got out that the singer and the former Canadian leader were spending time together. 

At the time, many assumed it was just a fling, particularly as both had just come out of long-term, high-profile relationships.

Perry had recently ended her nine-year relationship with Orlando Bloom, with whom she shares a five-year-old daughter, Daisy Dove. 

Trudeau, meanwhile, announced his separation from Sophie Grégoire Trudeau in 2023 after 18 years of marriage. 

The former couple share three children: Xavier, Ella-Grace and Hadrien.

The topic about pair’s romance got fired up after the singer confirmed her split and was later spotted enjoying a cosy dinner with him at Le Violon.

Since then, every public appearance has been closely scrutinised, with fans eager for clues about where the relationship might be heading.

For now, despite the buzz and the viral theories, those close to the couple insist there is no baby news to share.