U.S. President Donald Trump on Tuesday evening is making his annual State of the Union speech, telling the American people that the country has achieved a quote ``Great American Comeback''. Touting a booming economy, the president looked to make the case that the country is better off now than four years ago. In the middle of the speech, the president made an unusual move awarding the highest civilian to controversial talk show host Rush Limbaugh who just announced he has late-stage lung cancer. Limbaugh was an invited guest of the president who sat with the first lady. Jennifer Victor, Associate Professor of Political Science at George Mason University's Schar School of Policy and Government discusses the address with International Edition’s Lori Lundin Live with analysis on the speech. Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer is delivering the Democratic response to President Trump's State of the Union address.
Plus, before members of Congress gathered to hear President Trump's State of the Union address senators gave speeches on the floor of their chamber explaining where they stand on the president's impeachment trial. The speeches are not officially part of the trial itself, and are unlikely to make much difference in the senators' expected acquittal of Trump when they cast a final vote later today. House Democrats prosecuting the impeachment case against Trump and his defense team both offered forceful closing arguments after two weeks of trial proceedings. Congressman Adam Schiff, the lead House manager prosecuting Trump, passionately implored members of the Senate to do impartial justice. White House counsel Jay Sekelow told senators there was no evidence of Trump wrongdoing. VOA Congressional Correspondent Katherine Gypson has more.
And Billie Eilish who swept the boards at the recent Grammy Awards in Los Angeles, will be appearing on the cover of American "Vogue" magazine's March issue. 18- year old Eilish says her unique style and baggy clothing choices reflect her love of fashion and struggles with body. Eilish is also a vegan who is very concerned about the environment. She says her upcoming world tour will be eco-friendly with no plastic water bottles or straws.
Those stories and more are on this International Edtion.
