Trump offers unified vision for America

US President Donald Trump has offered an optimistic and unified vision for America in his first State of the Union address.

In a wide-ranging speech to both houses of Congress the President celebrated the creation of more than two million new jobs, a strengthened stock market, and his recent tax cuts.

But the Democrats may not be won over by the President's conciliatory tone.

Nick Harper reports from Washington.

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This speech was many things - a Victory lap for past successes, a sales pitch for future policies, a rallying cry for his party and for his nation, and a chance to extend an olive branch to both Democrats and disgruntled Republicans.

He approached the solemn occasion with an air of optimism  and a tone of cooperation.

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And to achieve that he said bipartisan politics needed to be put aside.

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But as a year of diverse, partisan politics that will be a tough pill for Democrats to swallow. Especially when past actions don't match the smoother talking promise of unity.

The State of the Union is traditionally a time to celebrate victories of the last year.

President Trump pointed to a booming economy - 2.4 million new jobs, unemployment at a 45-year low, and a stock market that's gained $8 trillion in value.

And he looked to future plans, like overhauling America's "crumbling" infrastructure with at least $1.5 trillion dollars investment.

And he called his immigration reform policies offer "a down-the-middle compromise", despite opposition from both Republicans and Democrats.

He offered a deal which would allow 1.8 million undocumented immigrants to remain in the country, in return for ending the visa lottery and chain migration, and fund the border wall.

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And he announced he'd signed, just before the speech, an order to keep Guantanamo Bay open. Reversing an Obama-era plan to close it. 

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Reminders of defeating ISIS, and promises to stand strong against North Korea and Iran will have played well with his base. But may not necessarily extended his appeal to undecided future voters.

Indeed the traditional Presidential  riposte Democrat Congressman Joe Kennedy - great-nephew of President John F Kennedy - said not everyone was benefiting from Trump's economy.

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A optimistic, conciliatory tone from the President.
But how long will that spirit of cooperation last in an era of intensely divided politics.
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