President Donald Trump delivered his State of the Union Speech on Feb. 24, 2026 at 9:00 p.m. EST, lasting 108 minutes, making it the longest in American history.
The State of the Union address originates from Article II, Section 3, Clause 1 of the U.S. Constitution, which requires the president to “from time to time give to the Congress information of the State of the Union. And recommend to their consideration such measures as he shall judge necessary and expedient.”
Some addresses resonate so well with the American people, that they are referred to as the greatest State of the Union speeches of all time. This includes President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s 1941 “Four Freedoms Speech”, George Washington’s 1790 “First Annual Message” and Lyndon B. Johnson’s 1964 “War on Poverty.”
Before Trump’s address had begun, Texas Representative Al Green was escorted out for holding a sign that said, “Black people aren’t apes,” likely referring to the video posted by Trump to Truth Social.
Trump began his address by declaring, “This is the golden age of America.”
The speech focused on the economy, immigration, trade and tariffs, election rules and America’s 250 anniversary.
Trump claimed that the “roaring economy is roaring like never before.” As of now the G.D.P. increased 2.2 percent in 2025 compared to 2.3 percent in 2024, solid growth.
He also claimed that “Zero illegal aliens have been admitted to the United States.” The number of reported illegal crossings have been reduced greatly, to around 6,000. He also claims to be “deporting illegal alien criminals at record number” despite the majority of undocumented immigrants who were deported not being criminals.
He also pushed legislation to require photo ID and proof of U.S. citizenship at the ballot box in order to vote.
The President asked everyone in the chamber to stand if they believed it was the government’s first duty to protect Americans, not illegal aliens. Most Democrats in the chamber did not stand, while there was a, nearly two minute, applause from the Republicans.
He then said, “You should be ashamed of yourself, not standing up.”
Trump stated in his speech that he “secured commitments for more than $18 trillion, pouring in from all over the globe,” even though his own White House press office claims this foreign investment is at $9.7 trillion.
He also said that countries that have been “ripping off” the United States are now paying us hundreds of billions of dollars, even though American importers are the ones suffering from the tariffs.
Trump stated that his administration has “lifted 2.4 million Americans… off of food stamps.” This is due to both the government shutdown and the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which made fewer Americans eligible.
He said, “We will always protect Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid” even though Trump’s Big Beautiful Bill made $1 trillion in cuts to medicaid, the largest cuts ever.
Trump also stated that this should have been his third term, despite lacking evidence of mass voter fraud and Amendment 22 to the Constitution that states no person could be elected president for more than two terms.
President Trump also called for a ban on insider trading by members of Congress. This led to almost all members of Congress, Democrats and Republicans, standing up and clapping.
