In a wide-ranging address to Republican lawmakers at the Trump-Kennedy Center in Washington, President Donald Trump celebrated the capture of Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro while offering unexpected commentary on presidential dance aesthetics. The speech, delivered on the fifth anniversary of the U.S. Capitol attack, primarily served as a campaign launch for the crucial 2026 midterm elections.
Trump accused the captured Venezuelan president of attempting to imitate his signature rally dance moves, referencing Maduro’s recent public appearances where he danced to a techno remix of his ‘No War, Yes Peace’ mantra as U.S. forces gathered in the Caribbean late last year. While acknowledging the ‘brilliant’ special forces operation that captured Maduro and his wife on Saturday, Trump provided no additional details about his previously stated plans for U.S. management of Venezuela’s oil resources.
The president diverted from foreign policy matters to demonstrate an exaggerated imitation of a transgender weightlifter while discussing his administration’s ban on transgender women in women’s sports. This performance prompted him to reveal First Lady Melania Trump’s disapproval of both his dance moves and physical comedy routines, which she deemed ‘so unpresidential.’
Trump framed the upcoming midterms as critical to preventing another impeachment attempt, referencing his second impeachment following the January 6 Capitol riot. He pardoned nearly 1,600 rioters on his first day back in office on January 20, 2025. Despite claiming strong economic performance, Trump expressed frustration with public concerns about affordability of basic goods, telling lawmakers: ‘I wish you could explain to me what the hell’s going on with the mind of the public. Because we have the right policy.’