State of the Union
- Matt Rourke - AP
- Updated
First lady Melania Trump applauds after presenting the Congressional Medal of Honor to World War II Navy pilot Capt. Royce Williams as President Donald Trump delivers the 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, as Ivanka Trump and Barron Trump watch.
Matt Rourke - APAs featured on
President Donald Trump has used a record-length State of the Union to argue that the country is “winning” under his leadership, even as his approval ratings slide. In Tuesday's speech, the president focused on jobs, manufacturing and an economy he says is stronger than many Americans believe. Trump tried at points to appeal to bipartisan patriotic sentiments, introducing a series of surprise guests that included U.S. military heroes and the Olympic gold medal-winning U.S. men’s hockey team. Trump also highlighted his immigration crackdowns and spending cuts. Democratic lawmakers stayed seated without clapping during most of Trump's speech, and when Democrats heckled him, Trump proclaimed, “You should be ashamed of yourselves.”
