🗣 What Happened
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President Donald Trump delivered the 2026 State of the Union address to a joint session of the United States Congress on February 24, 2026, in Washington, D.C. It was his first official State of the Union speech in his second term.
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The speech lasted about 1 hour and 48 minutes, making it the longest State of the Union address in U.S. history, surpassing his own previous record.
📌 Main Themes Trump Emphasized
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Economy: Trump declared a “golden age of America” with booming markets, lower inflation, and reduced drug prices — framing this as a turnaround since his return to office.
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Immigration & Border Policy: He touted strict border enforcement and claimed major reductions in illegal crossings and fentanyl flow, though these claims drew pushback and fact-checking scrutiny.
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Foreign Policy: Trump sharply criticized Iran’s nuclear ambitions, calling them “sinister” and warning they would never be allowed to build weapons — even as evidence was limited.
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Legislative & Policy Proposals:
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New retirement savings plan designed to expand access to retirement accounts.
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📊 Political Reaction & Division
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Democrats strongly challenged Trump’s claims, both from the chamber during the speech and in official responses afterward.
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Fact-checkers found multiple misleading or exaggerated statements about the economy and policy accomplishments.
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Audience reactions included protests and visible signs of dissent from some Democratic lawmakers.
📍 Notable Moments
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Trump honored service members and surprise guests — including U.S. Olympic athletes — as part of his narrative of national pride.
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The address occurred amid ongoing political tension over tariff rulings from the Supreme Court and debates about immigration enforcement.
🧠 Context & Importance
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The State of the Union is constitutionally required as a report on the nation’s condition and policy priorities.
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This speech came at a politically charged moment, with midterm elections approaching and Trump’s approval ratings relatively low.
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