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Transcript/Script((PLAYBOOK SLUG: TRUMP-CONGRESS ADDRESS PREVIEW (TV))
HEADLINE: Ukraine, Gaza, expected to feature in Trump’s address to Congress
TEASER: ((Not needed for TV pkgs according to editors))
PUBLISHED: (DATE & TIME)
BYLINE: Veronica Balderas Iglesias
CONTRIBUTOR: Kim Lewis
DATELINE:
VIDEOGRAPHER:
VIDEO EDITOR:
SCRIPT EDITORS: sv; caw
VIDEO SOURCE (S): Agencies, see script for others
PLATFORMS (mark with X): WEB __ TV _X_ RADIO __
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VID APPROVED BY:
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EDITOR NOTES: ((Radio Tracks for Reversioning Included. Agencies’ logos that look lighter or different were burned by the source. Analyst Zoom interview here: Video library material here ))
((TV INTRO))
[[ The need to end the wars in Ukraine and the Middle East. The United States imposing tariffs on other countries, and the downsizing of the U.S. federal government. Those are some of the topics that President Donald Trump is expected to highlight when he delivers the first address of this second term in office to Congress this week. VOA’s Veronica Balderas Iglesias reports. ]]
((VIDEO: Video Library material-Clip Trump Speech Wrap TV- see Editor’s notes for location))
((Mandatory cg: March 1, 2017))
As he did back in 2017, U.S. President Donald Trump is scheduled to address a joint session of Congress on Tuesday.
((VIDEO: AP 4558285 Ad hoc, war Debris, etc))
((Mandatory cg: KHARKIV REGIONAL MILITARY ADMINISTRATION))
The Russia-Ukraine war is expected to feature prominently in Trump’s speech in the context of his administration’s ongoing efforts to mediate peace negotiations between the parties in conflict.
((VIDEO: AP 4558203 TRUMP SOT Feb. 28))
((3. SOUNDBITE (English) Donald Trump, U.S. President))-((No chyron needed))
“I'm looking for peace. We're not looking to go into a 10-year war and play games. We want peace.”
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((NARRATOR))
The U.S. leader could also update Congress on his stance on the Israel-Hamas war and the future of Gaza.
((VIDEO: Video Library material-Clip WRAP ISRAEL PALESTINIANS VIDI36XJ8XV- see Editor’s notes for location))
During a joint press conference with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on February 4th, Trump suggested the U.S. transform Gaza into the quote “Riviera of the Middle East.”
((Mandatory cg: DC Pool February 4))
((SOUNDBITE 5 - Donald Trump, US president)) - ((No chyron needed))
“The United States owning that piece of land, developing and creating thousands of jobs with something that will be magnificent."
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((NARRATOR))
During his speech at the Capitol, analysts also expect that Trump will speak about the rationale behind the U.S. imposing tariffs on other countries.
[[RADIO INTRO: Shannon Bow O’Brien is associate professor of instruction in the Government department at the University of Texas at Austin. She spoke via Zoom.]]
((TC in approx. 7:24))
((Shannon Bow O’Brien, University of Texas)) - ((Zoom))
"I believe in his view, he believes that if he imposes tariffs, it's going to cause a rise in prices to cause manufacturers to have to come back to the United States to avoid those tariffs.”
((VIDEO: Video Library material-Clip AP 4557542 - Ad hoc see Editor’s notes for location))
((NARRATOR))
Trump could also push back on some criticism his administration has received
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over the speed and scope of its efforts to reduce government spending, cut fraud and waste…
((VIDEO: Video Library material-Clip 4557847 US USAID Workers- Ad hoc see Editor’s notes for location))
((NARRATOR))
…and slash the size of the federal work force.
[[RADIO INTRO: Analyst Shannon Bow O’Brien via Zoom]]
((TC in approx. 9:06))
((Shannon Bow O’Brien, University of Texas)) - ((Zoom))
“I think he's going to talk about it as a cost-saving measure. I believe he's going to talk about how great of a thing it is.”
[[FACT CHECK https://www.reuters.com/world/us/us-senator-elissa-slotkin-deliver-democratic-rebuttal-trump-speech-2025-02-27/ ]]
((VIDEO: AP 4492027 ))
((NARRATOR))
U.S. Senator Elissa Slotkin, a former CIA analyst, has been chosen to give the Democratic rebuttal to President Trump’s address.
((VIDEO: AP 4558277 US. flag, Americans walking etc))
Analyst O’Brien thinks Americans will probably follow Senator Slotkin’s remarks and Trump’s full address primarily on web streams or social media platforms on Tuesday night or read the highlights the following day.
((Veronica Balderas Iglesias, VOA News, Washington))
NewsML Media TopicsArts, Culture, Entertainment and Media
Subtitles / Dubbing AvailableNo
NetworkVOA
Embargo DateMarch 2, 2025 14:17 EST
BylineVeronica Balderas Iglesias
Brand / Language ServiceVoice of America - English, US Agency for Global Media
