WASHINGTON – Amidst a complex moment in his second term, marked by low approval ratings and growing concerns about the cost of living, President Donald Trump delivered the State of the Union address on February 25, 2026. The speech came after a recent Supreme Court ruling that significantly curtailed his administration’s global tariff policy and as fissures within the Republican Party widen ahead of crucial midterm elections.
“Our nation has returned, bigger, better, richer, and stronger than ever before,” Trump declared at the start of his address. “This is the golden age of the United States,” he asserted.
The President used the speech to promote his economic agenda and highlight what he considers his key political achievements. The address is being closely watched as a signal of how Trump intends to navigate the upcoming November 3rd elections, where Republican success is vital to bolstering the second half of his presidency.
“Today, our border is secure. Our spirit has been restored. Inflation is falling, incomes are rising rapidly. The economy, booming, is advancing like never before. And our enemies are scared. Americans are respected, again, perhaps like never before,” Trump stated, adding that his speech would be “long, because we have a lot to talk about.”
The presentation centered on the theme “America at 250: Strong, Prosperous, and Respected,” referencing the upcoming 250th anniversary of the nation’s founding on July 4th.
Trump similarly defended his tough stance on illegal immigration, despite a recent dip in approval for his strategy to a low of 39% in January, according to a Reuters/Ipsos poll.
“In the last nine months, no illegal immigrants have been admitted into the United States, but we will always allow the legal entry of people who love our country and work hard to keep it great,” the President said.
He sharply criticized Democrats for refusing to fund the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), a move that sparked protests from opposition lawmakers. Democrats have maintained they will not approve even temporary DHS funding without measures to limit the tactics of immigration agents, but Trump indicated he saw no room for negotiation and demanded the agency be reopened.
During a particularly heated exchange, Representative Ilhan Omar (Minnesota) shouted at Trump, “You killed Americans!”
“You should be ashamed,” Trump retorted. “That’s why I’m also asking you to end sanctuary cities that protect criminals and impose severe sanctions on public officials who block the deportation of foreign criminals. In many cases, drug lords, murderers all over our country. They are blocking the deportation of these people from our country, and they should be ashamed.”
In his first reference to Venezuela during the speech – with more expected – Trump stated that “American oil production has increased by more than 600,000 barrels per day,” and that the country had recently received over 80 million barrels of oil from its “new friend and partner, Venezuela.” This marked the first mention of his administration’s foreign policy.
Six minutes into his presentation, Trump launched his first attack on his predecessor, Joe Biden, whom he labeled a “disaster.”
A moment that drew loud applause and chants of “USA!” came with the entrance of the U.S. Men’s Olympic hockey team, who arrived with the gold medals they won on Sunday at the Winter Olympics in Milan. The President also called for applause for the U.S. Women’s hockey team, who also won gold but were not present at the State of the Union address.
Trump also highlighted the upcoming FIFA World Cup this year and the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles, stating, “That’s exciting news.”
Democrats in the room applauded when Trump criticized their opposition to his “important and very necessary massive tax cuts.” When the President urged Congress to approve further tax cuts, some Democrats booed while Republicans stood to applaud.
Trump’s second State of the Union address since returning to the White House on January 20, 2025, comes at a critical juncture in his presidency. Polling averages show his approval rating is declining (56% of Americans disapprove of his performance) and 59% disapprove of his handling of the economy, according to an AP-NORC poll this month.
The so-called affordability crisis is at the forefront of the domestic agenda, and GDP growth slowed in the last quarter of the previous year. Trump dismissed affordability as a “hoax” invented by Democrats to criticize his administration.
Republicans fear losing control of Congress in the midterm elections following several Democratic successes in recent contests, creating divisions within the party and the President’s MAGA movement. Trump aims to deliver a message of unity.
The Supreme Court’s ruling against his tariff policy – a cornerstone of his economic plan with a broad global impact – is another key issue. The development underscores the ongoing tension between the executive and judicial branches of the U.S. Government.
“I used these tariffs, I collected hundreds of billions of dollars to make great deals for our country, both economic and national security. Everything was going well. Countries that ripped us off for decades are now paying us hundreds of billions of dollars. They ripped us off terribly. Everyone knows it. Everybody knows it, even the Democrats. They just don’t want to say it. And these countries are happy now, and so are we. We made deals. All the deals are closed,” he said.
“And then, just four days ago, a very unfortunate ruling from the United States Supreme Court came down, a very, very unfortunate ruling,” he continued, as cameras focused on the justices. “But the good news is that almost all countries want to keep the deals they’ve already made.”
Trump – who harshly criticized the justices who supported the ruling – sought to emphasize his efforts to maintain the global tariffs amid the dispute with the high court. On Tuesday morning, the 10% tariff imposed through Section 122 went into effect, though the President had announced on Saturday he would raise it to 15%.
In that regard, he affirmed that maintaining the global tariffs with the new tools he’s using means “no action from Congress will be necessary.”
Elsewhere in his speech, Trump briefly referenced his defeat in the 2020 election to Biden, stating: “Should be my third term, strange things are happening.” Trump announced a “war on fraud,” which he said would be led by Vice President JD Vance, seated behind him.
Trump also called for the passage of the SAVE Act, legislation that would require voters to show official identification and proof of citizenship when voting and registering. Democrats have vowed to block the bill in the Senate, and Trump and conservatives are pressing Republican leaders to pass it.
The President also highlighted his administration’s ability to conduct swift military actions around the world, such as in Iran – with the strike on its nuclear facilities last year – and in Venezuela, with the January 3rd operation that resulted in the capture of Nicolás Maduro.
In foreign policy, Trump delivered the speech while evaluating new military options against Iran and pressing for regime change in Cuba, despite advisors urging him to focus more on the economic concerns of Americans.
Traditionally, the State of the Union address – used by U.S. Presidents to highlight achievements and announce new proposals – draws a large audience in the United States.
In an unusual rebuke to a sitting president, nearly 50 Democratic congressmen and senators boycotted Trump’s State of the Union address. Most did not attend Congress and instead appeared at other events scheduled in Washington.
A group held an outdoor demonstration at the National Mall beginning at 8:30 PM (local time), called “The State of the Union of the People.”
“Trump is leading America toward fascism, and I refuse to normalize his destruction of our Constitution and democracy. This cannot continue as if nothing is happening,” Senator Chris Van Hollen (Maryland) wrote on X, and will be present at the National Mall.
“Democrats have no obligation to reward him [Trump] with an audience while he lies and attacks those who disagree with him,” Senator Chris Murphy (Connecticut) added.
Another event, called “State of the Swamp,” features several Democrats and celebrities, including actors Robert De Niro and Mark Ruffalo, both critics of Trump.
With this strategy, Democrats seek to make a statement ahead of the midterm elections, while the party attempts to capitalize on growing voter discontent with Trump’s administration on the economy, immigration, and other issues.
Typically, the opposing party responds to the State of the Union address with an official reply. However, in addition to a formal response, many Democrats have shown their disagreement in other ways since Trump’s first term, with some lawmakers absent or leaving the chamber mid-speech.
Tonight, Virginia Governor Abigail Spanberger, elected in November, will deliver the Democratic rebuttal.
In a statement, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer praised Spanberger.
“She stands in stark contrast to Trump, who will lie, evade, and blame everyone but himself for his failed presidency,” Jeffries said.
Spanberger indicated she plans to address Americans’ concerns about “the rising cost of living, the chaos in their communities, and the real fear about what could happen each day.”
