Trump uses longest-ever State of the Union to try to convince voters
that US is 'winning so much'
[February 25, 2026]
By WILL WEISSERT, MICHELLE L. PRICE and MATT BROWN
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump declared during a marathon
State of the Union on Tuesday that “we’re winning so much” — insisting
he'd sparked an economic boom at home and imposed a new world order
abroad in hopes it can counter his sliding approval ratings.
Trump's main objective was convincing increasingly wary Americans that
the economy is stronger than many believe, and that they should vote for
more of the same by backing Republicans during November’s midterm
elections. In all, Trump spoke for a record 108 minutes, breaking — by
eight minutes — the previous time mark from his address before a joint
session of Congress last year.
The president largely avoided his usual bombast, only occasionally
veering off-script — mostly to slam Democrats. As he did during such
addresses in his first term, Trump relied on a series of surprise
special guests to dramatically punctuate his message. They included U.S.
military heroes and a former political prisoner released after U.S.
forces toppled Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro.
Trump drew some of the loudest applause of the night when he invited the
Olympic gold medal-winning U.S. men’s hockey team into the House
chamber.
“Our country is winning again. In fact, we’re winning so much that we
really don’t know what to do about it. People are asking me, 'Please,
please, please, Mister President, we’re winning too much. We can’t take
it anymore,'" Trump said before introducing the team.
The hockey players, wearing their medals and “USA” sweaters, drew a
bipartisan standing ovation. Trump pointed to the Democratic side of the
chamber and quipped, “That’s the first time I ever I’ve ever seen them
get up.”
In a made-for-TV moment, the president announced he would be awarding
the Presidential Medal of Freedom, America’s highest civilian honor, to
the hockey team’s goaltender, Connor Hellebuyck. He also bestowed the
Purple Heart on Andrew Wolfe — a National Guard member who was shot
while deployed on the streets of the nation’s capital. Wolfe made his
first public appearance since then during the speech.
That scene recalled a similar surprise announcement in 2020, when Trump
gave the Medal of Freedom to conservative radio host Rush Limbaugh
during his State of the Union speech.
Trump decries tariff decision as justices look on
The president championed his immigration crackdowns and his push to
preserve widespread tariffs that the Supreme Court just struck down. He
drew applause only from Democrats while describing the high court's
decision, which he called “an unfortunate ruling.”
Trump vowed to plow ahead, using “alternative” laws to impose the taxes
on imports and telling lawmakers, “Congressional action will not be
necessary.” Trump argued that the tariffs are paid by foreign countries,
despite evidence that the costs are borne by American consumers and
businesses. “It's saving our country,” he said.
The only Supreme Court justices attending were Chief Justice John
Roberts, as well as Justices Brett Kavanaugh, Amy Coney Barrett and
Elena Kagan. Trump greeted them personally before the speech, despite
last week slamming Coney Barrett — who he appointed to the high court in
his first term — for siding with the majority against his tariffs.
Democrats also stood for Trump vowing to halt insider trading by members
of Congress. But Rep. Mark Takano, a California Democrat, yelled, “How
about you first!” Rep. Rashida Tlaib, a Michigan Democrat, called out,
“You’re the most corrupt president!”
When some heckling continued, Trump proclaimed, “You should be ashamed
of yourselves." Later, he pointed at Democrats and proclaimed, “These
people are crazy."
Democratic Rep. Al Green was escorted from the chamber early in the
speech, after he unfurled a sign of protest that read “Black People
Aren’t Apes!” That was an apparent reference to a racist video the
president posted that depicted former President Barack Obama and First
Lady Michelle Obama as primates in a jungle. Green was also removed
during Trump's address last year.
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Vice President JD Vance, left, and House Speaker Mike Johnson
applaud President Donald Trump during his State of the Union address
to a joint session of Congress in the House chamber at the U.S.
Capitol in Washington, Tuesday, Feb. 24, 2026. (AP Photo/Alex
Brandon)
The president, meanwhile, was mostly optimistic and patriotic, but
Trump struck a darker tone in large swaths of his speech to warn
about the dangers posed by immigrants. He invited lawmakers from
both parties to “protect American citizens, not illegal aliens” and
championed proposals to limit mail-in ballots and tighten voter
identification rules.
Affordability gets relatively little time
Trump didn't dwell on efforts to lower the cost of living — despite
polling showing that his handling of the economy and kitchen-table
issues has increasingly become a liability. Such concerns about the
high costs of living helped propel Democratic wins around the
country on Election Day last November.
There also are persistent fears that tariffs stoking higher prices
could eventually hurt the economy and job creation. Economic growth
slowed in the last three months of last year.
It is potentially politically perilous ahead of November elections
that could deliver congressional wins to Democrats, just as 2018’s
blue wave created a strong check to his administration during his
first term.
On Tuesday, Trump blamed his predecessor, former President Joe
Biden, along with Democratic lawmakers in the chamber, saying they
were responsible for rising prices and health care costs, two issues
his political opponents have repeatedly raised against him.
“You caused that problem,” Trump said of affordability concerns. He
added a moment later, “They knew their statements were a dirty,
rotten lie.”
Trump also said he’d press tech companies involved in artificial
intelligence to pay higher electricity rates in areas where their
data centers are located. Such data centers tend to use large
volumes of electricity, potentially increasing the cost of power to
other consumers in the area.
Another notable off-script moment came as Trump was referencing
prescription drug prices, saying, “So in my first year of the second
term — should be my third term — but strange things happen,”
prompting at least one chant in the chamber of “Four more years!”
Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger, who delivered the Democratic
response to Trump's speech, slammed the president's aggressive
immigration policies, his widespread cuts to the federal government
and his tariffs.
“Even though the Supreme Court struck these tariffs down four days
ago, the damage to us, the American people, has already been done.
Meanwhile, the president is planning for new tariffs,” she said.
“Another massive tax hike on you and your family.”
A warning to Iran
Trump's address came as two U.S. aircraft carriers have been
dispatched to the Middle East amid tensions with Iran. Trump said,
“My preference is to solve this problem through diplomacy.”
“But one thing is certain, I will never allow the world’s number one
sponsor of terror — which they are, by far — to have a nuclear
weapon,” he added.
The president also recounted U.S. airstrikes last summer that
pounded Tehran's nuclear capabilities, and lauded the raid that
ousted Maduro in Venezuela — as well as his administration's
brokering of a ceasefire in Israel’s war with Hamas in Gaza.
“As president, I will make peace wherever I can," Trump said. "But I
will never hesitate to confront threats to America, wherever we
must.”
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