In the run-up to the midterm elections, Trump defended his policies in his State of the Union address as polls showed deep skepticism about his leadership.
Analysis of President Trump’s 2026 State of the Union Address
USA TODAY’s Washington Bureau Chief Susan Page takes a closer look at President Trump’s 2026 State of the Union address.
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump declared in a defiant marathon State of the Union address that the country is in a boom, his opponents are “insane” and his administration is committed to an unprecedented level of “victory” as polls show deep skepticism about his leadership ahead of crucial midterm elections.
The president defended his policies with full partisan power during the nadir of his second term, as he grapples with major rollbacks on tariffs, strong opposition to immigration enforcement tactics, low approval ratings, and other challenges at home and abroad, including a partial government shutdown and the possibility of military conflict with Iran.
In his hour-and-50-minute State of the Union address, the longest in history, Trump said, “We have achieved change like no one has ever seen before, and a turnaround that has lasted for years,” and slammed Democrats for “destroying our country.”
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., called the speech “delusional” as his party fights for control of Congress and tries to rein in the president. The Democratic Party criticizes the government for strengthening authoritarianism without having anything to do with the economy.
President Trump sought to counter Americans’ bleak views about his economic stewardship, which is expected to be a central issue in the midterm elections. The president, who faces widespread dissatisfaction with the cost of living, blames Democrats for the problem and says his administration is working relentlessly to lower prices.
The event, which has become increasingly theatrical and partisan, included dramatic moments and high-profile guests, including former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi tearing up a copy of President Trump’s speech at the previous State of the Union address. Members of the gold medal-winning U.S. men’s hockey team were also in attendance. Many Democrats did not, skipping speeches en masse to protest the administration’s policies.
Here are the key takeaways from President Trump’s State of the Union address.
“Good economy”
President Trump’s low approval ratings on the economy are a major challenge for the Republican Party heading into the midterm elections. This speech was a perfect opportunity to change the direction of the story.
President Trump declared, “We have a strong economy that is growing faster than ever before.”
The president claimed he won by lowering the cost of living, citing gas and food prices, mortgage rates and rent. He also expressed optimism that could clash with public opinion and pose a risk to the party.
With many Americans giving the president a bad review of his handling of inflation in recent polls, Trump continued to blame Democrats for high costs, saying, “You created the problem.”
President Trump added, “Their policies created high prices. Our policies are rapidly ending high prices.” “We’re doing very well. Prices are plummeting.”
Inflation fell to 2.4% in January, but remains above the Federal Reserve’s 2% target.
President Trump’s approach to cost-of-living concerns risks appearing out of touch with the economic anxieties among Americans that plagued former President Joe Biden. The continued centrality of this issue was evident in his remarks, which highlighted policy proposals aimed at leading the economy and lowering costs, including targets for prescription drug prices, affordable housing and energy prices.
President Trump blames Democrats for high prices in 2026 State of the Union address
“You created the problem,” President Donald Trump said in his State of the Union address, blaming Democrats for high prices.
stick to tariffs
President Trump entered the speech in the proverbial tailspin after the Supreme Court overturned massive emergency tariffs that had been the centerpiece of his economic policy.
President Trump called the Supreme Court’s decision a “disappointing decision” and said he would soon implement a new tariff system using an alternative method that is “time-tested and approved.”
That was a much more sober response than Trump’s initial response, in which he said he was ashamed that some Supreme Court justices “don’t have the courage to do what’s right for our country.” When President Trump entered the House of Representatives to give a speech, he greeted the four Supreme Court justices in attendance and shook hands with them, including two conservative justices who ruled against him on the tariff issue, John Roberts and Amy Coney Barrett.
While the administration is reviewing previously applied tariff laws, President Trump for the first time invoked Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974, imposing a 10% tariff worldwide and saying that number could soon rise to 15%.
President Trump said he would proceed with tariffs without support from Congress, a comment that drew some frustration from the floor. Some Republican lawmakers expressed opposition to the far-reaching nature of the tariffs and sometimes voted against them.
“No action by Congress is necessary,” he said.
“Sick”
It is normal for the State of the Union to criticize the opposition party and its policies, but President Trump took it to an unprecedented level, not only disagreeing with the policies Democrats support, but attacking the Democratic Party as a whole.
The president has repeatedly called Democrats “sick” and criticized them for not showing support for his immigration policies, saying they “should be ashamed.”
He also accused them of voter fraud.
“They want to cheat. They are cheating, and their policies are so bad that the only way to win an election is to cheat, and we’re going to stop that,” Trump said.
President Trump at times seemed irritated that Democratic lawmakers did not stand and applaud during his speech. “Why can’t you resist?” he asked.
A rare moment of bipartisan applause and a standing ovation occurred when President Trump urged lawmakers to pass legislation that would ban profiting from insider information on the stock market.
President Trump commented on the applause: “They stood up for it. It’s unbelievable.”
“Would Nancy Pelosi have stood up if she were here?” Trump quickly joked. Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi is one of the wealthiest members of Congress. Although her stock transactions are consistently tracked, the retiring lawmaker is not under investigation for insider trading.
Ignoring encouragement from Democratic leaders to maintain civility during President Trump’s speech, a small number of Democrats interrupted the president’s speech with shouts and chants. Democratic Rep. Al Green of Texas was quietly ejected at the beginning of his speech for holding up a sign that read “Black people are not monkeys.”
President Trump has largely survived the riot.
President Trump slams US men’s hockey team in State of the Union address
President Trump announced during his State of the Union address that he would award the Medal of Freedom to the goalie of the U.S. men’s hockey team.
U.S. men’s hockey brings moment of unity
A moment of unity came early when President Trump welcomed the U.S. men’s hockey team in a speech that was often sharply partisan.
The chamber erupted as Olympic gold medal winners appeared in the aisles of the House gallery wearing USA-made sweatshirts and medals draped around their necks. The victory over Canada gave U.S. Hockey its first gold medal in men’s hockey since the legendary “Miracle on Ice” team defeated the Soviet Union in 1980 in a Cold War-era patriotic victory.
President Trump linked America’s victory to his administration’s own “victory” and hailed the players as “a group of winners who have made the entire country proud.”
The president said he plans to award goaltender Connor Hellebuyck with the Presidential Medal of Freedom. President Trump also honored World War II veterans, Coast Guard rescue swimmers and other Americans with moving stories that provided a respite from the more combative moments during the speech, showing the kind of empathy Trump’s allies had hoped for.
what he didn’t say
President Trump did not address the biggest controversy marking his first year in office. He did not discuss the release of Jeffrey Epstein’s files, even though more than a dozen survivors were guests in the upper gallery. President Trump has previously said the country needs to move forward now that some files have been released.
He spoke at length about the mass immigration crackdown in Minnesota, but did not mention the two Americans killed by federal agents while conducting arrest surveillance in Minneapolis. The backlash over the shooting triggered a partial government shutdown, which he blamed on Democrats.
Trump also did not highlight repeated efforts to purchase Greenland or the efforts of Elon Musk’s administration’s Department of Efficiency, which has drastically reduced the federal workforce.
Although his State of the Union speeches are meticulously transcribed in advance and rarely touch on unflattering topics, President Trump is known to deviate from the script when he wants to, and rarely runs away from a fight or an opportunity to feed his base.
