Trump's guests at Congress: Who they are and their stories explained

Photo : AFP

On Tuesday night, U.S. President Donald Trump spoke in front of Congress. He brought special guests to show the struggles and victories of people in America. The First Lady, Melania Trump, introduced them before the speech. These guests included families who lost loved ones, a teacher freed from prison, a border patrol officer, and others affected by different problems in the country.

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Families of Laken Riley and Jocelyn Nungaray were there. These young women were killed by people who entered the country illegally. Their deaths started a big debate about border security and crime. The family of Corey Comperatore also attended. He was a firefighter who died trying to protect his daughter during an attack on Trump in July 2024. His wife, Helen, and daughters, Allyson and Kaylee, came from Pennsylvania to hear the speech.

Marc Fogel, a history teacher, was also invited. He was jailed in Russia but was released after Trump helped bring him home. Trump has said the last government failed to help Fogel earlier. Fogel attended with his wife, Malphine.

Another guest was Roberto Ortiz, a U.S. Border Patrol officer who has faced attacks from criminals while guarding the southern border. A 15-year-old girl named Elliston Berry also attended. She was bullied when someone used fake computer images to embarrass her. Jeff Denard, a steelworker from Alabama, was there to represent hardworking Americans.

Stephanie Diller came to honor her husband, NYPD officer Jonathan Diller. He was killed in the line of duty by a repeat criminal. Haley Ferguson, a young woman who grew up in foster care, was invited because she benefited from First Lady Melania Trump’s Be Best program, which helps young people.

January Littlejohn was another guest. She sued a school in Florida for letting her daughter change her gender identity without telling her parents. Payton McNabb, a former high school volleyball player, was also there. She was badly injured while playing against a transgender athlete, and Trump has promised to protect women’s sports.

Trump’s guests were chosen to highlight crime, border security, and social issues. Meanwhile, Democrats in Congress brought their own guests. They invited government workers who lost their jobs when Trump made changes to reduce the size of the government. Trump said these job cuts were needed, but Democrats said it hurt families.

The guests showed how divided politics is in Washington. Trump’s speech focused on safety, stronger borders, and a smaller government. Democrats focused on job losses and struggles. This event made it clear what issues Trump will focus on in his second term as president.