WASHINGTON (AP) — The White House says President Donald Trump will call for optimism and unity in his State of the Union address, using the moment to attempt a reset after two years of bitter partisanship and personal attacks.
The question is: Will anyone buy it?
Skepticism will emanate from both sides of the aisle Tuesday when Trump enters the House chamber for the primetime address to lawmakers and the nation.
Democrats see little evidence of a president willing to compromise. And even Trump’s staunchest allies know that bipartisan rhetoric read off a teleprompter is usually undermined by scorching tweets and unpredictable policy.
Still, the fact that Trump’s advisers are looking for a different approach is a tacit acknowledgement that the president’s standing is weakened as he begins his third year in office.
