On February 24th 2026, The United States President, Donald J. Trump delivered the annual State of the Union Address, breaking the record for longest State of the Union speech in recorded decades. President Trump used his speech to address important issues surrounding immigration, foreign affairs, and the current economy among other pressing matters in the United States.
The State of the Union address comes at a critical time for this campaign with Trump’s approval ratings facing historic lows in his second term. This address inspired hope to many Republicans and others members of this administration that it might pull the approval ratings back up in time for the midterm elections in November. However no such increase was shown, and instead the President and the administration faced backlash from citizens and political figures combined.
Democrats came together to show their disapproval for this administrator. Some decided to not show up in defiance of this administration and the current president. The many officials who did decide to make an appearance stayed seated and silent in protest for the majority of his speech. In another act of defiance against the President’s actions in the past two terms, a group of Democrats wore the pin that stated “Stand with Survivors, Release the Files,” with the word Epstein being redacted.
Before Donald Trump took the podium, Senator Al Green stood silently holding a sign that read “Black People Aren’t Apes.” This silent protest delayed the speech by a few minutes and he was ejected from the chamber. While being escorted out Republican senators yelled at him and attempted to tear the sign from his hands. The Republican side of the senate then proceeded to chant and cheer “USA” as he was forced out the door. Trump then proceeded to thank the crowd after this display.
The President started his speech by addressing the economy saying that when he inherited it from Biden it was “in crisis” with “inflation at record levels.” He proceeds by saying “We have achieved a transformation like no one has seen before.” Many Americans took issue with this because his depiction of a “roaring economy” was unlike the ones they are experiencing today. Americans continue to suffer in regards to the issue of affordability, an issue Donald Trump campaigned on, while this administration brushes their concerns to the side calling it a hoax and simultaneously claiming economic prosperity for all. Trump claims the inflation rate is 1.7%, the lowest level in years, or so he says. However in actuality, it is 2.4%, according to the U.S Bureau of Labor Statistics. This sparked immense backlash for the public who felt that not only that they had been lied to, but that their issues were being blatantly ignored by Donald Trump.
As he proceeds through his speech addressing employment in America, he made the greater claim that there are “more Americans are working today than at any time in the history of our country.” This claim, no matter how much the American people wish it were true, is also incorrect. The highest rate of employment in American history was April 2000 hitting 64.7%, the current employment rate 59.8% according to Trading Economics. This highlights another concern that the American people have as many struggle to find jobs, Donald Trump talks about employment rates becoming better not only during this speech but during the continued actions by this administration. The employment rate was another concern that Trump once ran on, promising higher rates and more employment opportunities, but has yet to deliver while claiming success.
The President then shifts his focus to the tariffs he has been so fond of. After the Supreme Court ruled the President’s recent tariffs illegal and unconstitutional, he has announced a new way to impose tariffs after what he calls an “unfortunate ruling.” The Democrats clapped for the ruling against these tariffs when he mentioned it, and the Republicans clapped for his new way to enforce them.
The President also announced a new pledge called The Ratepayer Protection Pledge, meant to make tech companies provide for their own power needs by constructing separate power plants. This comes in response to American people’s concern surrounding the AI data centers power consumption. Along with this the President announced that he signed an executive order banning large Wall Street investment firms from buying up, in the thousands, single family homes in order to provide more housing opportunities to Americans.
After these announcements, he goes on to discuss immigration. After bringing out Delilah Coleman, who was struck by an illegal immigrant driver and was thought to never be able to walk again after serious injuries, Donald Trump announced the Delilah Law. The Delilah Law prevents illegal immigrants from obtaining a license. He then continues to highlight all the supposed crimes that are committed by illegal immigrants without citing examples or specifics of any kind. Donald Trump’s point was to villainize and criminalize all or most illegal immigrants in order to gain more support for his deportation campaign. In response Ilhan Omar, U.S representative for Minnesota, shouted at the President “you kill Americans.” multiple times, seemingly referencing the murder of multiple American citizens in Minnesota by ICE throughout these past months. United States Representative Rashida Tlaib joined in the shouting at the President in response to his immigration comments. In response, Donald Trump says “You should be ashamed of yourself.” The Republicans cheer and chant “USA” as the Democrats continue their loud silence.
The President continues on the trend of immigration segueing to his appeal to Congress to pass the “Save America Act” which requires voters to show proof of citizenship. The reasoning to this new act is to avoid cheating in elections, as he claims happened in 2020 when he lost to Joe Biden.
The President then turns focus to foreign affairs while discussing the military operation in Venezuela and continued negotiations with Iran. Donald Trump ran on an America first policy, self declaring himself the President of Peace. He continues this narrative when speaking about Iran saying “I will make peace wherever I can. But I will never hesitate to confront threats to America.” He goes on to use this for justification for the military operation known as Midnight Hammer in Iran last June where the military “obliterated Iran’s nuclear weapons program. The President says that the attempts at negotiations continue but the Iranian government will not outright refuse to continue attempts at building nuclear weapons.
Throughout the speech The President continued to shift focus onto special individuals he had personally invited to be a part of the State of the Union address. Guests included Erika Kirk, wife of the late Charlie Kirk. Ana Zurka, Ukrainian refugee and mother to the late Ireina Zurka. Sage Blair, a trafficking victim. Jacklin Medina, mother of the late Jacqueline Medina. Delilah Coleman, an 8 year old survivor of a violent car crash. Catherine Rayner, first customer for Trump RX. Rayo Wiggins, a woman who bid on homes that were taken by investment firms. Sierra Burns and Everest Neveront, who both received support from Melania Trump, the First Lady. Buddy Target, World War 2 veteran. Alejandra Gonzalez and her uncle Enrique Marquez, who were reunited after Enrique was imprisoned for running against Nicolas Maduro. Megan Hemhouser, housewife from Pennsylvania who profited from the Big Beautiful Bill. Michael Dell, CEO of Dell and donor to the Trump accounts. Millie Kate, 11 year old flood survivor, and the Team USA hockey team.
The President also presented numerous awards throughout the State of the Union. The goalie for the Team USA hockey team, Connor Halib, was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom. Scott Ruskin, a first responder for the Coast Guard, was awarded the Legion of Merit for Extraordinary Heroism. Andrew Wolf, who was shot and badly injured while in the National Guard stationed in Washington DC, received the Purple Heart. Then at the ending of the ceremony Chief Warrant Officer, Eric Slover, received the highest military award, the Congressional Medal of Honor.
