U.S. President Donald Trump delivered his 2026 State of the Union address on the 25th, lasting nearly one hour and fifty minutes—the longest in history. During his speech, he declared that his second term had ushered America into a “golden age,” aiming to boost his approval ratings and pave the way for the November midterm elections.
Trump asserted that his administration had turned around a “terrible economy” into “the greatest turnaround in years,” citing rising stock markets, mortgage rates at four-year lows, falling food prices, and attracting over $18 trillion in global investment within 12 months. However, BBC fact-checking noted rising beef prices and a lack of public evidence for investment pledges, with only partial or long-term commitments materializing.
On tariffs, Trump criticized the Supreme Court’s partial reversal of global tariff rulings as “disappointing,” emphasizing tariffs would retain legal standing and hinting they could eventually replace income taxes. His speech addressed immigration and border security, boasting about reducing illegal immigration and strengthening the southern border, while avoiding mention of the Minnesota enforcement controversy.
Reactions in Congress were polarized: Republican lawmakers repeatedly stood and applauded, particularly during immigration segments; Democratic lawmakers loudly protested, condemning his policies for tearing families apart and lacking substantive solutions. Polls show Trump’s approval rating hovering around 40%, and the speech failed to propose new policies to reverse this downward trend.
Commentary:
Throughout the nearly two-hour State of the Union address, Trump focused on self-praise and patriotic appeals, frequently highlighting his policy achievements and his ability to “lead America back to greatness.” He repeatedly boasted about stock market performance, economic growth, employment figures, and military and international diplomacy, attempting to demonstrate his strong leadership style to the nation and Congress. However, the speech offered few new policy details. Whether on healthcare reform, social security, energy, or technological development, it lacked concrete action plans or executable solutions, continuing his second-term governing style of promoting past achievements, downplaying setbacks, and lacking cross-party cooperation.
Uncertainties surrounding tariff policies, global geopolitical tensions, frictions with allies and international markets, and a fractured domestic political landscape could all diminish the speech’s political impact. While the address undoubtedly showcased Trump’s personal political charisma, its effects on actual policy implementation, addressing public concerns, and influencing midterm election outcomes remain uncertain. Whether he can translate this political performance into tangible electoral advantage remains to be seen.