Egg prices, Social Security and Medicaid: CT leaders hammer Trump address to Congress

Following President Donald Trump’s joint address to Congress Tuesday evening, Connecticut leaders hammered the president on what he included in his speech and omissions on the country’s increasing economic problems. U.S. Sen. Chris Murphy was the only one of the state’s delegation to boycott the address, and several congresspeople gave video reactions on X.

Here are some of their statements:

U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal:

“Touting false feats, fanning fears, and taunting Democrats, President Trump tonight gave a decidedly unpresidential harangue. Republicans in the audience treated the speech as a campaign rally—embarrassing in that historic chamber. President Trump spun a fictional world, pandering to prejudice and grievance, untethered to reality. He brought out the worst in my Congressional colleagues and the country.”

U.S. Rep. Joe Courtney:

“On the same day the cost of living increased and the stock market tanked because of President Trump’s trade war with Canada and Mexico, Americans righty wanted to know how this upheaval would improve their lives. Instead, Americans got a speech completely detached from reality full of self-congratulations. That is of no relief for the country on the verge of another Republican shut down, declining consumer confidence, and shrinking savings accounts.

“For people like my guest tonight, Marine Corps veteran Gabriel D’Alatri, the speech offered no answers. He was fired by DOGE from the federal government just five days before completing the standard probationary period as a federal employee. Along with him, 6,000 other veterans have lost their public service jobs. They are not “waste.”

“Our nation deserved more tonight. It is time Speaker Johnson do his duty as the only Member who can bring a bill to a vote in the House and rein in the chaos.”

U.S. Rep. John Larson, laser focused on Social Security, said: “Donald Trump lied to the nation tonight about Social Security. Trump and Musk are spreading false allegations so they can find cuts to pay for their tax breaks for the wealthy. There should be hearings in Congress on their claims so the American people can know the truth.”

Gov. Ned Lamont:

“Tonight, President Trump delivered a joint address to Congress, and while I appreciate the opportunity to hear directly about his administration’s priorities, I urge him to focus on policies that lift up everyday American families and provide states with the predictability we need to deliver our budgets efficiently.

“The rising cost of living is one of the biggest challenges for Americans. The administration’s new tariffs on our closest trading partners will further drive up costs, including the cost of energy in New England, at a time when we’re working to find ways to lower rates. These abrupt shifts in trade policy create further uncertainty for businesses, discouraging investment and hiring as companies navigate an increasingly unstable economic environment.

“Perhaps most troubling are the proposed cuts in Medicaid and food assistance programs currently being debated in Congress. These programs provide a lifeline for our most vulnerable populations, and reducing them would have devastating consequences for families, children, and seniors across our state. I strongly urge Congress and the administration to reconsider these harmful policies and instead work with states on responsible solutions that support – not undermine – our economic security.

“Despite this, I remain committed to working on areas where we can find common ground, especially on tackling the high cost of energy, rebuilding our infrastructure, and lowering the cost of healthcare. These are challenges that demand bipartisan solutions, and I will continue working to ensure policies that strengthen Connecticut’s economy and safeguard our communities.”

U.S. Sen. Chris Murphy, who skipped the speech in protest saying, “this is an exceptional moment and I just can’t act like it’s business as usual,” and joined MoveOn’s “Calling BS” livestream.

On X, he said, “Trump isn’t cutting waste and abuse. He’s cutting programs that help regular people – like Medicaid – to fund tax cuts for billionaires and corporations. He only closes agencies that were stopping his rich friends bilk consumers.”

In a video on X, U.S. Rep. Jahana Hayes said, “I am disappointed by not surprised. Tonight’s speech was a campaign rally filled with rhetoric about Democrats and Joe Biden and nothing about the high cost of living or helping American people. I’m not even sure if the fact-checkers could keep up with tonight’s speech.

I can tell you what I didn’t hear. I didn’t hear a commitment to protecting Social Security and Medicaid. I didn’t hear a commitment to ensuring that school children have all of the resources that they need. I didn’t hear a commitment to the housing crisis or even working together to secure our borders in a way that the American people called for. Nothing about lowering the cost of groceries or anything that this president promised to do.

The State of the Union should be a time when the president lays out a vision for the country going forward. This was not a unifying message. This was not a presidential message.

I remain committed to working with anyone anywhere to ensure that my constituents in the Fifth District has what they need and our government works for them. That’s not what I heard tonight.”

U.S. Rep. Rosa DeLauro, like Hayes, gave a video address, prefaced with: “President Trump along with unchecked billionaire Elon Musk, is looting from the American people to fund massive tax breaks and subsidies for the richest Americans and biggest corporations. He said nothing about lowering costs for families.”

In reaction to the speech, she tweeted: “While egg prices continue to go up, and as Americans continue to live paycheck to paycheck, what do Musk and President Trump do? Gut the services Americans rely on to enrich their billionaire cabal.

The reality is that in the 43 days he’s been in office, Trump has illegally stolen funds promised to the American people, killed crucial government programs, and is weakening our healthcare system.

If Trump was serious about bringing the cost of living down, he would help make permanent the expanded, monthly Child Tax Credit. Instead, he hurts our economy and our children by firing veterans and dismantling our education system.

More lies from President Trump! Instead of cutting prices on day 1 like he promised, he wants to put tariffs on our closest allies and hurt our economy. Inflation has increased and the cost of living is up! What is your real goal? Enriching billionaires?”

Connecticut’s Republican Party issued a statement as well:

“Tonight, we witnessed two starkly contrasting visions for America’s future. President Trump presented an America First agenda that prioritizes the needs and rights of all Americans, while Democrats stood in opposition, resisting progress at every turn. While Republicans work to protect women’s rights, end unnecessary wars, and lower the cost of living for everyday Americans, Democrats remained silent, offering nothing but sour faces and meaningless signs. President Trump celebrated our military, our sovereignty, our heroes, and a young child battling terminal cancer—symbols of the strength and resilience that define this nation. Meanwhile, Democrats sat in silent defiance of everything that makes America great. It’s never been more clear: the American people made the right choice in electing President Trump and Vice President Vance.”