Media Figures Tout Trump's Presidential Shift, But His Divisive Policies Remain The Same

Donald Trump was elected president of the United States on Nov. 8 and placed his hand on the Bible and swore to defend the Constitution on Jan. 20.

But it was on the night of Feb. 28, following Trumps address to a joint session of Congress, that prominent media figures finally declared him president.

I feel like tonight, Donald Trump became the president of the United States, Fox News anchor Chris Wallace said.

He became president of the United States , liberal CNN commentator Van Jones said after the speech. Specifically, Jones praised Trumps honoring of Carryn Owens, the wife of slain Navy SEAL William Ryan Owens, as one of the most extraordinary moments you have ever seen in American politics.

On NBC, veteran anchor Tom Brokaw said the media had been waiting for Trump to pivot to being presidential. Trumps address, he said, is easily the most presidential hes been .

Journalists also highlighted Trumps newfound presidential tone on Twitter.

This is @realDonaldTrump at his most presidential -- his most effective speech yet

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This is @realDonaldTrump at his most presidential -- his most effective speech yet
Jonathan Karl (@jonkarl) March 1, 2017

Members of the news media have long sought a moment when Trump, a 70-year-old politician and entertainer seemingly set in his ways ever quick to insult , boast and exaggerate would suddenly pivot into a more subdued statesman.

The speech to Congress on Tuesday night was similar to a State of the Union address in its delivery, and carried with it the ceremonial pomp and circumstance that comes with the job. Trump read his prepared speech off a teleprompter without veering off script to lob attacks on opponents and air grievances with enemies in the media.

But the hour-long shift in style doesnt change the substance of his remarks.

Trump again promised to build a wall on the southern border of the United States and stoked fears of out-of-control immigrant crime , as he did when he launched his presidential campaign 21 months ago by saying Mexican rapists and drug dealers were streaming into the country.

He again promised to replace the Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare, while offering no specifics on how to do it. Trump also called for a $1 trillion infrastructure plan without providing details on how to implement it. He again spoke of the United States fighting radical Islamic terrorism, a phrase his national security adviser reportedly urged him to leave out.