Trump uses a record-length State of the Union to defend his economic record, attack rivals, and energize supporters ahead of crucial midterm elections.
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Donald Trump delivers the State of the Union address during a joint session of Congress in the House Chamber at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, DC, on February 24, 2026. Photo by Kenny Holston-Pool/Getty Images |
President Donald Trump turned his annual address to Congress into a campaign-style event on Tuesday, using the longest State of the Union speech of the television era to rally supporters, attack political opponents, and sell his economic agenda ahead of high-stakes midterm elections.
Instead of unveiling a slate of major new policy initiatives, Trump used the nearly one-hour-and-47-minute address to frame his presidency as a story of national revival. Repeatedly, he argued that the United States is stronger, wealthier, and more respected on the world stage, even as polls show voters remain uneasy about prices, wages, and political polarization.
From the opening moments, it was clear that Trump turns State of the Union into a campaign rally rather than a unifying message. Republicans rose to their feet again and again in applause, while Democrats sat largely stone-faced, occasionally shouting objections that punctuated the president’s remarks.
The speech unfolded amid the pageantry traditionally associated with the State of the Union, but it also featured open confrontation rarely seen in earlier eras. Democratic Representative Al Green was removed from the chamber after repeatedly disrupting the president, a moment that underscored the intensity of partisan divisions in Congress.
Trump leaned into the spectacle. He invited the gold-medal-winning US men’s Olympic hockey team into the House gallery, prompting chants of “USA! USA! USA!” from Republican lawmakers. He also awarded medals to veterans and active-duty service members, weaving their stories into a broader narrative of American resilience and strength.
These moments of unity, however, were fleeting. Trump quickly returned to attacking Democrats, accusing them of undermining border security, tolerating fraud in government programs, and obstructing his economic agenda. At several points, lawmakers from both parties shouted over one another, creating a raucous atmosphere more reminiscent of a campaign rally than a legislative address.
Clocking in at nearly two hours, Trump’s speech set a modern record for length. Yet despite the extended time, it contained relatively few detailed policy proposals. Instead, the president focused on defending his record since returning to office and drawing sharp contrasts with his political rivals.
That choice reflected the broader strategy of the night. Trump turns State of the Union into a campaign rally by emphasizing messaging over mechanics, slogans over legislative detail, and emotional appeals over technical explanations.
Analysts noted that the address resembled a stump speech delivered on the House floor, aimed less at persuading undecided lawmakers than at energizing voters watching from home.
One of the most anticipated moments of the night came when Trump addressed last week’s ruling by the Supreme Court of the United States, which struck down his emergency tariff program. Four justices who voted against the policy were seated in the chamber as the president spoke.
Trump called the decision “disappointing” and “unfortunate,” but he made clear he had no intention of backing away from his protectionist trade agenda. Instead, he pledged to pursue new tariffs under different legal authorities, acknowledging that the approach could be more complex but insisting it would ultimately prove more durable.
He went further, repeating his claim that tariffs paid by foreign countries could one day replace much of the US income tax system. Economists widely dispute that assertion, noting that tariffs are typically paid by importers and often passed on to consumers through higher prices.
Still, the president’s message was unmistakable. Even after a judicial setback, Trump signaled he would press ahead, framing resistance from courts and critics alike as proof that entrenched interests were standing in the way of national renewal.
Immigration emerged as one of the central themes of the address. Trump accused Democrats of weakening border enforcement and tolerating what he described as widespread fraud in federal programs and Democratic-led states.
He announced a “war on fraud” that he said would be overseen by Vice President JD Vance, though he offered few specifics about how the effort would operate. Trump also urged Congress to pass voter identification provisions included in the SAVE America Act and to eliminate no-fault absentee voting.
Voting rights advocates have warned that such measures could disproportionately affect lower-income voters and married women who have changed their surnames. Democrats in the chamber responded with boos and shouted objections, accusing the president of using fear and misinformation to mobilize his base.
Throughout these exchanges, the contrast between the two parties was stark. Republicans applauded enthusiastically, while Democrats sought to challenge Trump’s claims in real time, turning the address into a live demonstration of the country’s political divide.
Trump also touched on health care, an issue that continues to weigh heavily on voters. He outlined a broad vision of redirecting money away from large insurance companies and giving it directly to individuals to purchase coverage on their own.
“I want to give that money directly to the people,” Trump said, promising better care at lower cost. He did not explain how such a system would ensure coverage standards, control costs, or manage risk pools.
The president promoted his TrumpRx initiative, a government-backed prescription drug discount platform aimed at uninsured Americans. While Trump framed it as an innovation, health policy experts noted similarities to existing private services and questioned how the program would be funded over the long term.
Retirement savings
Among the more concrete announcements was a plan to provide $1,000 in matching funds next year for Americans without employer-sponsored retirement plans. Trump presented the proposal as a major step toward financial security for workers left out of traditional 401(k) systems.
However, analysts pointed out that the idea closely resembles retirement reforms passed by Congress in 2022 under former President Joe Biden. Trump did not address those similarities or explain how his proposal would differ in practice.
As with other parts of the speech, the emphasis was on signaling intent rather than detailing implementation.
Much of the address was devoted to celebrating what Trump described as the successes of his first year back in office. He cited a tax cut that excluded tipped income and overtime wages, the creation of savings accounts for newborns, easing inflation, and record stock market levels.
On foreign policy, Trump took credit for military actions targeting Iran and Venezuela, as well as diplomatic breakthroughs in Gaza and along the Indian-Pakistani border. He argued that American strength had been restored and that adversaries now took US warnings seriously.
Trump also repeated claims that his administration had effectively sealed the US-Mexico border to undocumented migrants and illicit drugs, a point contested by analysts who note that crossings and seizures fluctuate and enforcement challenges persist.
Patriotic imagery ran throughout the night, with Trump repeatedly invoking the upcoming 250th anniversary of American independence. He framed his presidency as part of a historic effort to restore the nation’s founding ideals.
He honored World War II veteran Buddy Taggart, awarded medals to Coast Guard Petty Officer Scott Ruskan for his role in the Camp Mystic rescue mission, and recognized the widow of assassinated conservative commentator Charlie Kirk.
One of the most emotional moments came when Trump awarded the Medal of Honor to Chief Warrant Officer Eric Slover for his role in the mission to apprehend Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro, as well as to Korean War Navy pilot Royce Williams. Even some Democrats joined Republicans in applause during those tributes.
By the end of the night, the political purpose of the address was unmistakable. Trump turns State of the Union into a campaign rally designed to energize supporters, draw clear lines with Democrats, and frame the coming midterm elections as a referendum on his leadership.
Democrats, for their part, believe voter anxiety over prices, health care, and democratic norms could weaken Republican control of Congress. Trump, however, appears confident that a message centered on economic revival, national pride, and confrontation with political opponents will resonate with his base and beyond.
The address offered an early preview of the tone likely to dominate the months ahead: loud, combative, and deeply polarized. Whether that approach broadens Trump’s appeal or further entrenches divisions will be tested as voters head toward the polls later this year.
