By: Susan Berube | Publish Date: February 25th, 2026
President Trump delivered the longest State of the Union Address, on Tuesday, February 24th, in which he spoke of his plans for the second year of his second term, the current state of our economy, and clashed with Democrats on many controversial topics.
State of the Union Address
The State of the Union Address (SOTU) is a message from the current President to Congress (House of Representatives and Senate), in which the President talks about current issues facing the nation and offers his ideas on how to solve them. This is required, as per the Constitution’s Article II Section 3, as it keeps Congress updated and informed on the nation’s standing. Members of the President’s cabinet and the Supreme Court Justices are typically also in attendance.
Trump’s second-term address lasted a total of 1 hour 47 minutes, beating his record time from last year’s address. He covered domestic affairs and focused primarily on highlighting his administration’s impact on the country and the “golden age of America” that he views the country as stepping into. Here are some key takeaways from his address:
U.S. Economy and Tariffs:
The U.S. economy was the center of Trump’s address, as he talked about inheriting a stagnant economy with the “worst inflation in the history of our country” and building it up to where it stands now. He discussed the stock market setting record highs and earnings for retirement accounts or 401(k)s as well as job growth for Americans.
He then went on to mention his infamous tariffs, recently ruled illegal by the Supreme Court, and their potential in replacing the modern-day system of income tax. He stated that the tariffs were paid for by foreign countries.
Fact Check: The economy was in good standing under the Biden administration, being praised for its recovery from the pandemic. Since then, costs have continued to climb higher over the past year, affecting Trump’s approval rating. Job growth started to slow last year, just recently picking up again in January of this year.
As for tariffs, economists say that most tariff bills are being paid by domestic businesses who import goods.
Immigration Laws:
Throughout Trump’s address, he referred to the controversial topic of immigration crackdowns and border control. He made the claim that the country currently has the “strongest and most secure” border in American history, following four years of millions of “illegal aliens” crossing the border. He then went on to claim members of the Somali community have pillaged around $19 billion from American taxpayers. His basis for this is nearly 100 defendants, many of them of Somali descent, have been charged with alleged fraud connected to child welfare programs in Minnesota. He also mentioned the abolition of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs.
Fact Check: According to NPR, it is not true that there have been 0 crossings, as there were 237,538 in 2025, according to data from U.S. Customs and Border Protection. However, crossings from Mexico have fallen to their lowest level in more than 50 years.
Foreign Affairs and Wars:
Although most of the concentration was on domestic affairs, Trump did briefly mention a few foreign affairs, such as crediting himself with stopping eight wars and discussing his involvement with Iran. He also mentioned that the United States’ military “obliterated” Iran’s nuclear weapons program.
He claims to have secured commitments from foreign investments for more than $18 trillion.
Fact Check: A White House website states the total investment from both home and abroad sits at under $10 trillion. As for Iran’s nuclear weapons program, they have not allowed anyone to inspect their site, so it is unclear the amount of damage that was dealt.
In claiming he ended 8 wars, this is untrue as he only brokered a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, which has since been violated.
Honorees:
Trump took some time during his address to award 6 Americans with various honors, including the highest civilian honor — the Presidential Medal of Freedom. Below are the honorees:
- To Be Awarded – Legion of Merit: U.S. Coast Guard Officer Scott Ruskan
Officer Ruskan was hailed by Trump for “extraordinary heroism” due to his response to the flooding in Texas Hill Country last July 4th that killed 27 campers. He was credited with saving 165 people, including an 11-year-old girl that he saved, whom he was reunited with at Trump’s address.
- Medal of Honor: Veteran E. Royce Williams
Captain Williams is a 100-year-old veteran of World War II, Korea, and Vietnam. He was honored for his actions in a secret mission during the Korean War.
- To Be Awarded – Presidential Medal of Freedom: Team USA Hockey Goaltender Connor Hellebuyck
Trump announced, during his address, his plans of awarding Connor Hellebuyck the highest civilian honor. He stated he took a vote with the team to see if Hellebuyck should be awarded and received unanimous consent. He is the goaltender for the gold-medal-winning Olympic hockey team.
The U.S. Men’s Olympic Hockey Team was in attendance, after being invited by Trump. Trump also invited the U.S. Women’s Olympic Hockey Team; however, they declined his invite.
- Purple Heart: U.S. Air Force Staff Sergeant Andrew Wolfe & U.S. Army Specialist Sarah Beckstrom
National Guard members Sergeant Wolfe and Army Specialist Beckstrom received the Purple Heart, as they were victims of a gunman in an ambush attack in D.C. last year. Beckstrom’s parents accepted the award on her behalf, as she passed the day before Thanksgiving.
- Congressional Medal of Honor: U.S. Army Chief Warrant Officer Eric Slover
Officer Slover was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor for serving as helicopter pilot of the raid that captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. He was wounded during the raid but survived.
Amongst the honorees were also a few guests, including Erika Kirk, widow of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, Sage Blair, a Virginia student involved in a legal battle over gender transition policies, and the mother of Iryna Zarutska, a 23-year-old Ukrainian refugee killed in Charlotte, NC in a train stabbing.
Democratic Response & People’s State of the Union
As the country is in the midst of a polarized state, a lot of Democrats were sending clear messages to the administration during this year’s SOTU Address. Over 30 Democratic Senators and United States Representatives were not in attendance, choosing to boycott this year’s address. Some that were in attendance clashed with Trump over various topics and invited victims of Jeffrey Epstein and the immigration crackdown to his address.
U.S. Representative Alexander “Al” N. Green (D-Texas) was ejected from Trump’s address for holding up a sign that read, “Black People Aren’t Apes”. This is in response to a video Trump posted on social media, depicting former President Barack Obama and former First Lady Michelle Obama as apes, which received a lot of backlash as many viewed this as a racist remark.
U.S. Representatives Ilhan Omar (D-Minnesota) and Rashida Tlaib (D-Michigan) took to shouting at Trump as he began discussing immigration, calling immigrants “illegal aliens” and the Minnesota Somali community “pirates”.
Omar, a Somali American, shouted multiple times at Trump, “You have killed Americans!”
Throughout the address, there were multiple instances in which Democrats would be seen shaking their heads at his remarks and refusing to stand and clap alongside Republicans. In response to this, Trump called them “crazy” and made many comments about their lack of support.
Virginia Governor Abigail Spanberger, first female governor of Virginia, delivered the Democrats’ rebuttal to Trump’s address, broadcasted shortly after his address’ completion. In her response, she condemned Trump for failing to make life more affordable for Americans and tarnishing the United States’ reputation. She spoke of his appointment of “deeply unserious people” to governmental positions within the U.S. and his own self-interest in enriching he and his family and friends.
“So I’ll ask again, is the president working to keep Americans safe, both at home and abroad? We all know the answer is no,” stated Spanberger.
Also, during Trump’s SOTU Address, progressive groups MeidasTouch, MoveOn.org, and other organizations, hosted “The People’s State of the Union”, a counter-programming rally in which Democratic lawmakers and activists protested the current administration at the National Mall. Many of the lawmakers that did not attend Trump’s SOTU Address decided to support The People’s State of the Union rally instead.
Looking Forward
The upcoming 2026 Midterm Elections seem to be the determining factor in what the country’s future looks like. The elections will be held on Tuesday, November 3rd and will represent the country’s standing with the current administration.
These elections signify the mid-term point of the current administration and give voters a chance to decide which political party controls Congress. They are already a hot topic this year, with multiple Republican lawmakers fearing potential Democratic control of Congress and the impeachment of Trump.
House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-Louisiana) stated, “Everything, as has been said here, everything is on the line in the midterms of 2026, and we have much more to do. But if we lose the House majority, the radical Left, as you’ve already heard, is going to impeach Trump.”
Aside from the midterm elections, the next State of the Union Address will occur next year, typically being held in the months of January or February.
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