President Donald Trump delivered his 2026 State of the Union address on Tuesday, February 24, 2026, at 9:12 p.m. EST in the House Chamber of the US Capitol.
Lasting 1 hour, 47 minutes and 40 seconds, it set a new record as the longest State of the Union address in US history, surpassing Bill Clinton’s 2000 record by nearly 20 minutes.
Titled “America at 250: Strong, Prosperous and Respected,” the speech focused on the upcoming US Semiquincentennial and the “Golden Age” of the country.
Trump touts economic turnaround and border security
Trump touted a “turnaround for the ages,” claiming record stock market highs, declining inflation reported at 2.4 percent for January 2026, and a record number of Americans working.
He declared the border to be the “strongest and most secure in American history” and challenged Democrats to stand if they agreed the government’s first duty is to protect citizens, not “illegal aliens.”
Trump highlighted a military intervention in Venezuela as a “colossal victory” and maintained a “peace through strength” stance toward Iran while preferring a diplomatic solution.
The gold medal-winning US Men’s Olympic Hockey Team was honored in the gallery, alongside rescue swimmer Scott Ruskan and 100-year-old veteran Buddy Taggart.
New policy proposals announced
During the address, Trump introduced a series of new policies.
Trump Accounts: A savings program providing $1,000 in seed money for children born between 2025 and 2028.
Ratepayer Protection Pledge: An agreement requiring tech companies to build their own power plants for AI data centers to prevent rising utility costs for residents.
“Drill, baby, drill” policies with an influx of 80 million barrels of oil from Venezuela following recent military and diplomatic shifts.
Federal Retirement Access: A plan to give private-sector workers without employer-sponsored plans access to federal-style retirement accounts with a $1,000 government match.
Democratic boycott and protests
Over 80 Democratic lawmakers boycotted the address entirely. Many of those boycotting attended the “People’s State of the Union” rally on the National Mall, featuring speakers such as Senators Chris Murphy and Ruben Gallego.
Virginia Governor Abigail Spanberger delivered an address criticizing the administration’s tariff policies and “reckless” trade agenda for harming affordability.
Other members who attended expressed “silent defiance,” with some wearing white or holding photos of victims of recent administration policies.
Some Democratic lawmakers, including Rep. Ilhan Omar and Rep. Rashida Tlaib, vocally protested during the immigration segment, while others attended a counter-event called the “People’s State of the Union.”
Representative Al Green of Texas unfurled a white, handwritten sign reading “Black people aren’t apes!” Green stated his protest was a response to a video Trump shared on social media earlier in February that depicted former President Barack Obama and former First Lady Michelle Obama as apes.
Green was quickly escorted out of the House chamber by the Sergeant at Arms. This marked the second consecutive year Green was ejected from a Trump address to Congress.
Speech follows Supreme Court tariff ruling
The speech occurred just days after a Supreme Court ruling, Learning Resources, Inc. v. Trump, that invalidated some of the president’s unilateral tariffs, which Trump called “unfortunate” during his remarks.
