Trump participates in a Cabinet meeting

YouTube.com ^ | 2026.01.29 | Associated Press✓

[E. Pluribus Unum]

Transcript Summary

President Trump opened the first Cabinet meeting of his second year (January 29, 2026) by noting improvements to the Cabinet room's appearance, including flags of U.S. forces and others.

He described the administration's first year as amazing and unprecedented, citing record economic growth, achievements despite a Democrat shutdown (which he said cost about 1.5 points of GDP), and the most successful first year in U.S. history. He claimed eight wars extinguished, with another potentially ending soon via efforts involving Steve Witkoff, Jared, and others.

He highlighted a record drop in the murder rate to the lowest in at least 125 years, reduced crime due to deportations and secure borders (claiming zero illegal admissions for the last eight months), and strong relations with Venezuela's leadership, including opening Venezuelan airspace for U.S. commercial flights, major oil companies scouting there, and Venezuelan people waving American flags.

On the economy, he said Biden inflation/stagflation was defeated, with Atlanta Fed predicting 5.4% Q4 GDP growth (higher without shutdown), S&P 500 hitting 7,000 for the first time, multiple record stock highs adding trillions in value, $18 trillion in investments in under a year (vs. less than $1 trillion under Biden in four years), real incomes outpacing inflation by over $3,000, gasoline down to under $2 in many areas (record drilling), and falling prices for groceries, airfares, hotels, cars, and rent.

He mentioned tax cuts (no tax on overtime, tips, Social Security; car loan interest deduction), massive refunds expected (average over $1,000 higher), avoidance of what would have been the largest tax hike under Democrats, and companies returning manufacturing to the U.S. due to tariffs (e.g., U.S. steel production surpassing Japan's for the first time in 26-27 years, new plants by John Deere and others).

He discussed most-favored-nation (MFN) drug pricing deals with 16 of 17 companies, bringing U.S. prices down 80-90% in some cases by matching the world's lowest, with threats of tariffs securing agreements (including from Macron and others), drug companies building plants in the U.S., and upcoming TrumpRx platform for lowest prices.

Cabinet members spoke briefly (selected to avoid a long meeting):

• Steve (Middle East): Peace through strength secured hostages (including last 20 and bodies), technocratic all-Arab government, terrorists out, demilitarization expected, Hamas cooperation.

• On Russia/Ukraine: Progress in talks (more than prior four years), Russian generals met in Abu Dhabi, security and prosperity agreements near completion, Putin agreed to no strikes on Kyiv/towns for a week due to extreme cold.

• Scott Bessent (Treasury/economy): One Big Beautiful Bill effects kicking in, Trump Accounts (millions signed up), border closed, inflation down, interest rates hopefully lower, manufacturing renaissance (e.g., John Deere plants due to tariffs), strong GDP (4.7-4.8% recent quarters), deficit improving, low inflation metrics.

• Howard (economy): Unexpected high growth (5.5% Q4 with shutdown), potential 6%+ Q1, Golden Age.

• Bobby (HHS/health): MFN agreements, drug companies reshoring production (e.g., Eli Lilly, Novo Nordisk plants), TrumpRx soon, rural health funding increase, new dietary guidelines for real food, fraud crackdown, prior authorization elimination (80% insurers), price transparency enforcement, autism studies.

• Scott Turner (HUD/housing): Home sales up sharply, mortgage rates low, millions helped to buy (including first-timers/veterans), ban on institutional single-family home purchases, $200B mortgage-backed securities buy, Opportunity Zones permanent (poverty reduction, new housing), HUD housing for citizens only.

• Chris (energy): U.S. oil > Saudi + Russia combined, natural gas > Russia + China + Iran, record lease revenue, coal production/leases up, coal key during cold snap (20x more electricity than solar/batteries at peak), wind/solar unreliable in cold, Biden policies avoided for better grid reliability.

• Lee Zeldin (EPA): Fast hazardous material/debris removal post-fires, permits issued quickly for rebuilding (e.g., California fires), frustration with local delays.

• Kelly (SBA): Loans for fire victims, end to "war on Main Street," small business confidence/formation records, manufacturing/supplier growth due to tax cuts/tariffs/deregulation.

• War Department: Reestablished deterrence, no wars like Afghanistan/Ukraine/Oct 7 under prior policy, Iran nuclear prevented, military raids, border security role, Somali pirate activity stopped via same treatment as drug traffickers.

• Vice President J.D. Vance: Brief honor to serve, good work for Americans.

Trump concluded by praising the Cabinet, preferring shorter meetings, and declining questions despite press requests.

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TOPICS: Government
KEYWORDS: cabinetmeeting; sotu; trumpadmin; trumpparticipates

[TornadoAlley3]

Noem didn’t speak.

5 bills will be funded.
2 week extension and negotiations on the 6th, DHS-ICE

[dayglored]

> Noem didn’t speak.

Neither did Tulsi Gabbard. I wonder if something's up...

[cowboyusa]

Neither did Blondi

[libertylover]

“Participates”. Pfffffft. Try “leads”.

[ViLaLuz]

Right. Like he should get a participation trophy.