US President Donald Trump delivered his annual State of the Union address before a joint session of the US Congress. 

Mr Trump made headlines even before delivering his address, refusing to shake the proffered hand of top Democrat, Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi in an unprecedented snub.

Ms Pelosi later ripped up a print out of Mr Trump's speech as he finished.

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The theme of the Mr Trump's address was the 'Great American Comeback' and he spent much of the night talking about the strength of the US economy. 

He avoided the subject of his impeachment in the 80-minute speech, but the wounds from the battle were evident with fellow Republicans giving him standing ovations, while rival Democrats for the most part remained seated.

"In just three short years we have shattered the mentality of American decline and we have rejected the downsizing of America's destiny"

Mr Trump made reference to illegal immigration, abortion, healthcare, lowering drug costs and protecting Americans' right to bear arms. 

On international affairs he spoke about Iran, Afghanistan, the fight against the so-called Islamic State and praised the Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaidó, who was present at the State of the Union address.

President Trump made no reference to his impeachment ahead of his expected acquittal by the US senate later today, but it was mentioned in the Democratic response to his address which was delivered by Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer.

"As we witness the impeachment process in Washington, there are some things each of us, no matter our party, should demand. The truth matters. Facts matter," she said. 

The Republican-led Senate is expected to acquit Mr Trump of charges he abused his powers and obstructed Congress during a vote later today.

Seeing Ms Pelosi for the first time since she stormed out of a White House meeting four months ago, Mr Trump declined to shake her outstretched hand as he gave her a paper copy of his remarks before starting to speak.

Ms Pelosi avoided citing the customary "high privilege and distinct honour" that usually accompanies the speaker's introduction of the president to Congress.

"Members of Congress, the President of the United States," was all she said in introducing Mr Trump.

When his speech ended, Ms Pelosi stood and tore up her copy of the remarks he had handed her, later telling reporters it was "the courteous thing to do, considering the alternative".

Nancy Pelosi tears up her copy of the State of the Union address

Kayleigh McEnany, Mr Trump's campaign spokeswoman, said of Ms Pelosi that "her hatred" for Mr Trump blinded her to the "repulsive nature of her smug" behaviour.

After the event, Ms Pelosi tweeted a photo of her with her hand reaching out to Mr Trump. 

As Mr Trump began the speech, Republicans from both houses of Congress chanted "four more years" while he stood at the lectern in the chamber of the House.

Democrats sat silently and some could be seen shaking their heads as he declared "the state of our union is stronger than ever before".

Ms Pelosi, who dropped her opposition to impeachment and allowed Democrats to seek the charges against him, sat grim-faced behind Mr Trump and paged through the copy of his speech as he spoke.

He entered the chamber with Democrats experiencing unease and chaos after technical glitches delayed the results of voting in Iowa on Monday, the first 2020 contest as the party seeks a nominee to face the incumbent Republican.

Mr Trump presented himself as a big improvement over Democratic President Barack Obama, whom he succeeded three years ago, saying he had bolstered US economic growth and increased jobs.

"In just three short years we have shattered the mentality of American decline and we have rejected the downsizing of America's destiny," he said.

Many House Democratic women wore white for a second year in a row, a sign of the suffrage movement that won women the right to vote 100 years ago.

Mr Trump, using the speech to lay out his vision for a second four-year term, said a Democratic plan to expand government-funded health insurance amounted to a "socialist takeover" that would bankrupt the country, cut benefits for those who have them now and provide care to illegal immigrants.

Mr Trump's lack of a healthcare plan has left him open to criticism that he has not put enough work into finding a way tor educe rising insurance costs that burden middle-class Americans.

"We will never let socialism destroy American healthcare!" Mr Trump said.

Democratic women stood and chanted "HR 3" - a reference to a Democratic bill that would lower drug costs.

In the televised Democratic response to Mr Trump's speech, Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer said: "Democrats are trying to make your healthcare better. Republicans in Washington are trying to take it away."

Mr Trump offered an upbeat portrayal of his presidency in hopes of persuading Americans to give him another four-year term in the 3 November election.

He saluted surprise guest Mr Guaido, the Venezuelan opposition leader, and made conservative talk radio host Rush Limbaugh an immediate recipient of the presidential Medal of Freedom, with Mr Trump's wife Melania pinning the ribbon around Mr Limbaugh's neck.

Mr Trump also revived his polarising arguments that migrants should be stopped from crossing the southern US border and that so-called "sanctuary cities" where migrants are protected are wrong. His immigration policies are opposed by Democrats.

Ms Pelosi could be seen shaking her head as he spoke of his views on immigration. 

Additional Reporting Reuters