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President Trump Delivers Record-Length State of the Union Address, Touted Economic Turnaround and Border Security

In his first State of the Union of his second term, President Donald Trump claimed a dramatic national revival in his first year back in office, emphasizing economic gains, immigration enforcement, and foreign policy successes while calling on Congress to advance his priorities.

President Donald Trump delivered a lengthy State of the Union address on February 24, 2026, declaring that the United States had undergone a “turnaround for the ages” in his first year back in the White House. The speech, which lasted approximately one hour and 48 minutes—the longest in modern U.S. history—focused heavily on claimed economic achievements, border security improvements, and a renewed emphasis on American strength abroad. Trump highlighted falling inflation, rising employment, and record investment inflows, while criticizing prior administration policies and urging congressional action on taxes, health care, immigration, and other issues. He also honored military heroes, Olympic athletes, and ordinary citizens as part of a patriotic narrative framing the lead-up to the nation’s 250th anniversary in July 2026.

Economy, Jobs, Taxes, Energy, and Affordability

Trump devoted significant time to portraying a robust economic recovery, asserting that the U.S. had shifted from crisis to prosperity. He claimed that core inflation had dropped to 1.7% in late 2025, that gasoline prices had fallen below $2.30 per gallon in most states (with some as low as $1.85), and that the stock market had set 53 all-time highs since the election. “The stock market has set 53 all-time record highs since the election,” he said, noting benefits to pensions and retirement accounts.

The president credited his administration with securing over $18 trillion in new investment commitments in one year, compared to less than $1 trillion during the prior four years. He highlighted job growth, stating that more Americans were working than at any point in history, with all new jobs in the private sector. Trump pointed to increases in energy production, including oil up by more than 600,000 barrels per day and natural gas at record levels, fulfilling his “drill, baby, drill” promise.

On taxes and affordability, he touted the “Big Beautiful Bill” passed by Republicans, which eliminated taxes on tips, overtime, and Social Security benefits for seniors, and made interest on auto loans tax-deductible for American-made vehicles. Trump also promoted “Trump Accounts,” tax-free investment accounts for children, funded partly by private donations. He advocated for tariffs as a tool that brought in hundreds of billions and could eventually reduce reliance on income taxes, despite a recent Supreme Court ruling limiting some of his tariff authority. “I believe the tariffs, paid for by foreign countries, will... substantially replace the modern-day system of income tax,” he said.

Trump addressed health care costs, criticizing prior policies and announcing plans to redirect insurance subsidies directly to individuals and to implement most-favored-nation drug pricing, which he said had dramatically lowered prescription costs. He called for codifying these measures and introduced a “ratepayer protection pledge” requiring major tech companies to generate their own power for AI data centers to avoid raising utility bills.

Border Security, Crime, and Immigration

A major portion of the address focused on immigration and public safety. Trump asserted the border was now “the strongest and most secure in American history,” with zero illegal admissions in the past nine months and fentanyl flows down 56%. He claimed the murder rate had seen its largest decline in recorded history. The president criticized sanctuary cities and called for the Safe America Act, requiring voter ID and proof of citizenship, arguing it would prevent election fraud.

He highlighted victims of crimes involving undocumented immigrants, including families present in the gallery, and proposed the “Dalilah law” barring states from issuing commercial driver’s licenses to undocumented individuals. Trump also announced a “war on fraud” led by Vice President JD Vance and criticized corruption in certain states.

Foreign Policy, Military, and National Strength

Trump emphasized restored U.S. global standing, claiming to have ended eight wars and negotiated cease-fires, including in Gaza where he said all hostages had been returned. He referenced a U.S. military operation against Iran’s nuclear program and ongoing negotiations, vowing Iran would never acquire nuclear weapons. “I will never allow the world’s No. 1 sponsor of terror... to have a nuclear weapon,” he said.

The president highlighted military recruitment records, a NATO agreement for allies to pay 5% of GDP on defense, and operations against drug cartels, including the capture of Venezuela’s former leader Nicolás Maduro. He awarded several high honors during the speech: the Presidential Medal of Freedom to U.S. men's Olympic hockey goaltender Connor Hellebuyck for his performance in the gold-medal game; the Congressional Medal of Honor to Army Chief Warrant Officer 5 Eric Slover for heroism during the Venezuela raid despite severe wounds, and to retired Navy Capt. Royce Williams (presented by First Lady Melania Trump) for his 1952 Korean War aerial combat; the Legion of Merit to Coast Guard Petty Officer Scott Ruskan for a 2025 flood rescue; and Purple Hearts to National Guard Staff Sgt. Andrew Wolfe (who survived a head wound) and posthumously to the family of Specialist Sarah Beckstrom (killed in the same attack).

Other Major Topics

Trump celebrated the upcoming 250th anniversary of U.S. independence and events like the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. He honored veterans, rescue heroes, and Olympic hockey gold medalists, presenting awards including the Presidential Medal of Freedom and Purple Hearts. The speech touched on banning large firms from buying single-family homes, protecting retirement savings, and rejecting gender transitions for minors without parental consent. He also noted a renewal of faith and condemned political violence.

In closing, Trump painted an optimistic vision of America’s future as the “golden age” continues, rooted in liberty and exceptionalism. The address drew mixed reactions, with supporters praising its patriotic tone and critics noting its length, partisan jabs, and divergence from public sentiment on key issues like the economy and immigration, amid fact-checks questioning some economic and security claims. The speech underscored deep political divisions ahead of the upcoming midterms.