EditTrump’s State of the Union: triumphs, tensions, and tall tales amid partisan divide
By framing a "golden age" of economic growth, Trump aims to bolster Republicans in the midterms, but fact-checks on wars, oil, inflation, and tariffs could undermine his narrative
In a fiery and unapologetic State of the Union address delivered to a divided Congress on 24 February, President Donald Trump painted a picture of American resurgence under his leadership, touting economic victories, hardline immigration policies, and dubious claims of global peacemaking.
Broadcast live from the U.S. Capitol, the speech – Trump’s first since his 2025 reelection – served as a platform to rally Republicans ahead of the November midterms while lambasting Democrats for their perceived obstructionism. With the Supreme Court’s recent invalidation of his sweeping global tariffs looming large, Trump struck a defiant tone, vowing to press forward on trade and other priorities despite legal setbacks.
The address opened with Trump emphasizing national security and citizen protection, declaring that the “first duty of the American government is to protect American citizens, not illegal aliens.” He rebuked Democrats in the chamber for remaining seated during applause lines, exclaiming, “You should be ashamed of yourself not standing up. You should be ashamed of yourself.” This set the stage for a highly partisan atmosphere, where Republicans cheered enthusiastically while Democrats hosted parallel counter-events to highlight their opposition. Virginia Governor Abigail Spanberger delivered the official Democratic response, critiquing Trump’s policies as divisive and ineffective.
A central theme was Trump’s boast of having “ended eight wars” during his term, a claim that drew mixed reactions and immediate fact-checking. He cited ceasefires or agreements in conflicts involving Israel-Hamas (an October truce marred by violations), Armenia-Azerbaijan (a pledge without a formal treaty), Cambodia-Thailand (a brief five-day clash resolved), India-Pakistan (disputed by India), and Rwanda-DRC (a peace deal yet to be implemented). While some progress was acknowledged, critics noted that many of these “wars” were limited skirmishes, and full resolutions remain elusive. Trump also honored slain conservative activist Charlie Kirk as a “great friend” who was “martyred for his beliefs,” introducing his widow Erika to emotional applause from Republicans.
Immigration enforcement emerged as another flashpoint. Trump celebrated his administration’s crackdown, including deployments of agents in Minnesota to address alleged fraud in Somali communities. However, this drew sharp rebukes: Democratic Representative Rashida Tlaib shouted, “You’re killing Americans,” while Ilhan Omar called him “a liar.” Rights groups have condemned the policies, pointing to fatal shootings of U.S. citizens by agents and at least eight deaths in ICE detention centers since early 2026. Trump countered by claiming massive oil imports from Venezuela – over 80 million barrels – a figure fact-checked to around 22-30 million based on shipping data.
Economic policies took center stage, particularly in light of the Supreme Court’s “very unfortunate” ruling striking down Trump’s global tariffs. He argued that “almost all countries and corporations want to keep the deal” to avoid harsher alternatives, announcing plans for new 15% tariffs. Trump also targeted big tech, demanding they provide their own power for AI data centers under a “rate protection pledge” to shield households from rising energy costs. He revived controversial rhetoric on inflation, falsely claiming it reached historic highs under Biden (peaking at 9% in 2022, not the all-time record) and insisting tariffs are borne by foreign nations – contradicted by studies showing Americans absorbed 86-94% of the costs.
Notable moments underscored the night’s volatility. Trump flirted with the idea of a third term, quipping, “So in my first term, second term, should be my third term, but strange things happen,” despite constitutional barriers and his prior denials. He applauded the U.S. men’s ice hockey team, hosting them pre-speech, and announced the women’s gold medal-winning team would visit the White House – though reports indicate they declined an invite. A tense incident saw Representative Al Green removed after displaying a sign reading “Black people are not apes,” responding to Trump’s deleted social media video depicting the Obamas as apes. Trump also mocked Democrats’ lack of applause on transgender rights: “Look, nobody stands up. These people are crazy. I’m telling you, they’re crazy.”
Reactions were swift and polarized. Congressional Democrats clapped sarcastically at Trump’s tariff lament but stayed seated for most ovations, fuelling his on-stage frustrations. Activists and rights groups decried the immigration focus for instilling fear in minority communities, especially given Trump’s pardons for fraud convicts. Author Jodi Bondi Norgaard criticized the gender disparity in Trump’s sports shoutouts as “hurtful.” Broader public responses included Democratic counter-programming, emphasizing unity and policy alternatives.
The speech’s implications ripple into the political landscape. By framing a “golden age” of economic growth, Trump aims to bolster Republicans in the midterms, but fact-checks on wars, oil, inflation, and tariffs could undermine his narrative. The tariff ruling limits executive power, potentially complicating deals with the EU, Japan, and South Korea. Immigration policies, while rallying his base, risk deepening divides and legal challenges amid reported deaths. Trump’s third-term musings have alarmed opponents, raising concerns over democratic norms.
With Reuters, edited by g.g.
Caption: US President Donald Trump delivers the State of the Union address in the House Chamber at the US Capitol in Washington, DC, USA, 24 February 2026. EPA/JESSICA KOSCIELNIAK / POOL
Updated: February 25, 2026 - 06:39
