Trump’s State of the Union Highlights Democrats’ Policies as ‘Government Plantation’

Rep. Keith Self, a Texas Republican, said President Donald Trump’s State of the Union address revealed that Democrats’ policies support keeping Americans “on the government plantation.”

Appearing on Wednesday’s “Wake Up America Early” program, Self described Trump’s speech as “masterful” for clearly drawing contrasts between Republicans and Democrats ahead of the crucial midterm elections.

Self highlighted Trump’s emphasis on tax relief, noting the president’s push for “no tax on tips, no tax on overtime, and no tax on Social Security for our great seniors.”

He criticized Democrats for opposing previous Republican-backed tax cuts and argued that the party remains out of step with working Americans on issues ranging from crime to illegal immigration and voter ID.

“President Trump did a masterful job of drawing the distinctions between the left and the right,” Self said. “The Democrats are for higher taxes. They are for illegal immigrants. They are for keeping costs high because they want people to be on the government plantation. They want people to be on the government dole.”

During the address, Trump called for ensuring members of Congress cannot “corruptly profit” from insider information, drawing bipartisan applause and a pointed jab at former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., whom he jokingly referred to as “the most successful stock trader in [the] history of Wall Street.”

Self noted that Pelosi has faced scrutiny over family stock trades, though she has denied wrongdoing and supports legislation banning congressional stock trading.

“We are supposed to provide oversight, not make ourselves rich,” Self said. “It’s gone on because you’re asking the people who are doing it to limit themselves.”

Self also pointed out that Trump’s use of guests in the gallery — including victims of crime and everyday American heroes — underscored the human cost of policies Republicans say have fueled border chaos and rising prices.

Looking ahead to the midterms, Self acknowledged that the party in power historically loses seats but expressed confidence that the GOP can hold the House if economic gains continue. “We’re starting to see the green shoots of the economy come around, prices come down, wages go up,” he said.

“That’s what we have to have,” Self added. “We’ve got to keep pounding the successes — bringing prices down, energy dominance, credibility around the world.”