On February 24, 2026, President Donald Trump took the stage at the U.S. Capitol to deliver what would become the longest State of the Union address in American history. Spanning approximately 108 minutes, Trump’s speech was a sweeping, self-assured declaration that the United States had entered a new golden era under his leadership. He boasted of economic resurgence, declining inflation, and a nation stronger and more respected than ever before, while also defending controversial tariff policies and sidestepping some of the most pressing foreign policy issues of his first term.
“America is back, bigger, better, richer, and stronger than ever,” Trump proclaimed, according to Reuters and KBS News. He went on to declare, “We are entering America’s golden age.” The official theme of the night, “America at 250: Strong, Prosperous, and Respected,” was a nod to the country’s upcoming 250th anniversary of independence, just five months away. Trump used the milestone to frame his administration’s achievements as historic and transformative, contrasting them sharply with what he described as a nation in crisis just a year earlier.
“A year ago, I inherited a nation in crisis—stagnant economy, record inflation, open borders, severe shortages in our military and police, rampant crime, and global chaos,” he said, as reported by JoongAng Ilbo. “But in just one year, we have achieved an unprecedented transformation.” Trump credited his administration with slashing core inflation to 1.7% by the fourth quarter of 2025, reducing the flow of fentanyl across the southern border by 56%, and bringing gasoline prices down from over $6 to below $2.30 per gallon in most states. He also highlighted falling mortgage rates and a stock market that, he claimed, had hit a record high 53 times since the 2024 election.
Much of Trump’s address was dedicated to touting his economic agenda. He pointed to last year’s Republican-led tax cuts, plans for lowering prescription drug prices, and a new healthcare reform bill that would provide federal subsidies directly to consumers—rather than insurers. “With our ‘big and beautiful bill,’ we’ve made tip income, overtime pay, and Social Security benefits for our seniors tax-exempt,” Trump announced, according to VOA News. “And we’re making auto loan interest tax-deductible—but only for American-made cars.”
One of the most contentious topics was Trump’s steadfast defense of his tariff policies, even in the face of a recent Supreme Court ruling that declared them illegal. “Despite the Supreme Court’s disappointing decision, nearly every country and company wants to maintain the deals we’ve made,” Trump insisted. He vowed to use alternative legal provisions—citing trade law sections 122, 301, and 232—to keep tariffs in place, arguing that “tariffs are paid by foreign countries” and “can replace a significant portion of our income tax system, easing the financial burden on the American people.”
Trump further claimed that his tariff strategy had been a key driver of what he called “the greatest economic turnaround in our nation’s history.” He asserted, “In just 12 months, I’ve secured over $18 trillion in global investment commitments.” However, major outlets such as CNN and The New York Times quickly challenged these figures, labeling them as “exaggerated” and “unsupported by evidence.” According to the White House’s own accounting, the actual investment number was closer to $9.7 trillion, and much of that included previously announced projects and non-binding foreign government pledges.
The president didn’t shy away from celebrating his administration’s hardline immigration policies and tough-on-crime stance. He credited these measures for a drop in crime rates and for what he described as “the strongest and safest border in American history.” Trump also highlighted a 56% reduction in fentanyl trafficking across the border and took credit for rapid improvements in employment and income, boasting, “There has never been a time in history when more Americans were working.”
Notably, Trump’s 2026 State of the Union marked a sharp pivot from his first term. Whereas his 2018 and 2019 addresses gave significant attention to North Korea, China, and other foreign policy flashpoints, this year’s speech was almost entirely focused on domestic issues. According to SBS Biz, Trump made no mention of North Korea or South Korea and only referenced China in passing, in the context of Venezuela’s Nicolás Maduro being protected by Russian and Chinese military technology. The omission stood in stark contrast to previous years, when Trump had warned of North Korea’s nuclear ambitions and called out the regime’s brutality.
Still, Trump did not ignore international affairs entirely. He touted the U.S. military’s role in a recent operation to oust Venezuela’s Maduro, calling it “the most complex and impressive military operation in history.” He also addressed rising tensions with Iran, referencing the “Midnight Hammer” operation that targeted Iran’s nuclear program and vowing, “I will never allow them to acquire nuclear weapons. We have the strongest military on Earth.”
In a poignant moment, Trump paused his address to honor Royce Williams, a Korean War veteran celebrating his 100th birthday, with the Congressional Gold Medal. Williams, who flew over 220 combat missions in Korea and also served in World War II and Vietnam, received the medal from First Lady Melania Trump as the chamber erupted in applause.
The Democratic response, delivered by Virginia Governor Abigail Spanberger, was swift and scathing. She accused Trump of misleading the public about the impact of tariffs, claiming, “Every American household has paid over $1,700 in extra costs because of reckless trade policies.” Spanberger also criticized Trump for “surrendering economic and technological leadership to Russia and China” and for “appointing irresponsible figures to critical government positions.” Her remarks reflected deep partisan divides over the president’s economic claims and foreign policy approach.
Fact-checkers from CNN, The New York Times, and NBC were quick to dissect Trump’s address. They disputed his claim that tariffs are paid by foreign countries, pointing out that U.S. importers—and often consumers—bear the brunt of the costs. They also flagged his investment figures and assertions about ending wars as exaggerated or lacking context. NBC noted that there was no evidence to support Trump’s suggestion that millions of immigrants had come from prisons or mental institutions during the Biden administration, and that blaming Biden for the presence of over 13,000 convicted murderers in ICE custody was misleading.
Perhaps the most eyebrow-raising moment came when Trump, referencing the two-term limit in the U.S. Constitution, quipped about the possibility of a third term: “Strange things can happen.” The remark, delivered with a characteristic wink to his supporters, was met with nervous laughter and immediate scrutiny from political observers.
As the speech concluded, Trump’s approval ratings hovered in the 30s, and the nation braced for a contentious midterm election season. Whether the president’s optimistic vision will resonate with voters—or be overshadowed by skepticism over his claims—remains to be seen. But for one night, at least, Trump was determined to paint a portrait of an America on the rise, undaunted by legal setbacks, and ready to celebrate its 250th birthday with renewed pride.