Nancy Pelosi rips up Trump's State of the Union speech in front of him
Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox
Get our free Inside Washington email
Donald Trump has delivered his third State of the Union, a high-profile address made this year in the shadow of an ongoing impeachment trial and months away from the president's re-election.
The optimistic speech came just a day after Democrats oversaw a breakdown in its election processes in Iowa, where the 2020 Democratic primary season got off to a disastrous start that has still failed to deliver results nearly a day later.
But Mr Trump's speech was not without its own discord. Just before the address, the president was seen appearing to snub a handshake attempt from Ms Pelosi.
Then, after the speech, Ms Pelosi added to the night's drama by tearing up her copy of the speech, in plain view of the president and the cameras broadcasting the address across the nation.
The president had focused in his address on perceived victories over the past three years, and has remarked on his priorities for the coming year, reportedly including middle class tax cuts, school choice, immigration and the military.
President Trump delivers State of the Union address
Show all 22
He told one Philadelphia student that she would be getting a school scholarship, surprised a military family with the return of their soldier from Afghanistan and also instructed the first lady to give Rush Limbaugh the presidential medal of freedom, the highest honour for a citizen in the US.
He concludes his speech: "This Nation is our canvas, and this country is our masterpiece. We look at tomorrow and see unlimited frontiers just waiting to be explored. Our brightest discoveries are not yet known. Our most thrilling stories are not yet told. Our grandest journeys are not yet made. The American Age, the American Epic, the American Adventure, has only just begun.
"Our spirit is still young; the sun is still rising; God's grace is still shining; and my fellow Americans, the best is yet to come.
"Thank you. God Bless You. God Bless America. Thank you very much."
Worth noting in this address from Ms Whitmer is that these responses are often more of a liability than a boon for the politicians.
She seems to be doing quite well, especially when considering past flops like the address given by Marco Rubio that elicited days of jokes when he awkwardly grabbed a glass of water off screen.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies