Virginia Governor Abigail Spanberger delivered the Democratic response to President Donald Trump’s State of the Union address on Tuesday, February 24, 2026, focusing on the financial pressures facing American families. The address comes as Democrats attempt to position themselves ahead of crucial midterm elections later this year and signals a potential shift in focus towards economic concerns.
In her speech from Colonial Williamsburg, Spanberger argued that President Trump’s policies are actively increasing the cost of living for many Americans. She stated that families are struggling with high prices for essential needs such as housing, energy, childcare, and healthcare.
“We did not hear the truth from our president,” Spanberger said, criticizing Trump’s depiction of a thriving economy. She claimed that the President’s tariff policies have added more than $1,700 per year in extra costs for the average family.
Spanberger also took aim at the “One Big Beautiful Bill” legislation passed by the US government in July 2025, arguing it would lead to cuts in state-funded healthcare programs for low-income individuals. She warned that the legislation jeopardizes rural clinics and could strip healthcare benefits from millions of Americans.
The Virginia governor also challenged the President’s approach to immigration and security, accusing him of exploiting fears rather than offering solutions. “Our broken immigration system must be reformed – it cannot be used as justification for unchecked agents to terrorize our communities,” she stated. She argued that the deployment of federal agents in US cities has not made the country safer, but has instead deepened divisions.
The former CIA officer further accused the President of weakening the United States’ position on the world stage, compromising economic and technological strength, and undermining the country through corruption and self-enrichment.
Spanberger concluded by urging citizens to engage in the political process, pointing to recent election victories by Democrats in Virginia and New Jersey as evidence of growing opposition to what she called “chaos.” She emphasized that progress is made when citizens demand more from their government.
The Democratic response followed President Trump’s annual address to Congress, a tradition where the opposition party offers a rebuttal. Spanberger, who won the Virginia gubernatorial election by a significant margin in November 2025, is seen by Democrats as a key figure in gauging voter sentiment ahead of the upcoming midterm elections. (APA/dpa)
