Trump Defends Economy and Immigration in Record-Length SOTU
Record-long State of the Union on Feb. 25, 2026 lasting about 107–108 minutes; fact-checkers disputed claims on inflation, gas prices and drug discounts.
Overview
President Donald Trump delivered a record-long State of the Union address on Feb. 25, 2026 that lasted about 107 to 108 minutes and defended his economic record, immigration crackdown and tariff plans.
The address came as his approval ratings slipped to 39% positive and 60% negative in one poll, ahead of crucial midterm elections.
Several Democrats protested inside the chamber, with Rep. Ilhan Omar shouting "You have killed Americans" and Rep. Al Green escorted out for holding a sign reading "Black people aren’t apes."
Fact-checkers said inflation cooled to about 2.4% in January 2026, no state average gasoline price was below $2.30 on Feb. 24 with Oklahoma at $2.37, and TrumpRx.gov discounts were exaggerated.
Trump said he would invoke Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974 to impose 10% global tariffs that he said he may raise to 15%.
Analysis
Center-leaning sources frame the event as a partisan spectacle that exposes Trump's disconnect from public opinion. They foreground Democratic protests and critical poll data, use evaluative verbs like "taunting" and "triumphant," and prioritize conflict-driven quotes and dramatic moments over policy specifics, creating a narrative of theatrical dissent rather than substantive debate.
Sources (70)
FAQ
Trump claimed inflation was "plummeting" and that the economy was "roaring like never before."[1][2] However, fact-checkers found that while inflation eased to about 2.4% in January 2026, it was not "plummeting," and they noted exaggerations regarding gasoline prices, with no state averaging below $2.30 per gallon on February 24, 2026, despite Trump's implications.[1]
Several Democratic lawmakers protested inside the chamber, with Rep. Ilhan Omar repeatedly shouting "You have killed Americans," Rep. Al Green being escorted out for holding a sign, and dozens of Democrats boycotting the address entirely.[1] These protests reflected deep partisan tensions ahead of the midterm elections.
Trump announced plans to pursue new tariff authority by invoking Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974 to impose a 10% global tariff that could potentially rise to 15%.[1] This represented a significant component of his economic policy agenda presented during the speech.
Trump's approval ratings had declined before the address, with one poll showing 39% positive and 60% negative approval.[1] This context underscored the political pressures he faced heading into the midterm elections and may have motivated his focus on economic accomplishments during the speech.
Trump's State of the Union address lasted approximately 107 to 108 minutes, setting a record length for such addresses.[1] The extended duration allowed him to cover multiple policy areas including the economy, immigration, and tariffs in detail.
History
46 sources