By Charles Dervarics
If you love reality television, President Trump’s State of the Union address was the place to be Tuesday night.
A man not known for much personal introspection, the president nonetheless likes to put on an entertaining show as he brought a litany of guests to illustrate his views on the economy, immigration, crime and foreign policy. By night’s end, he had awarded a Presidential Medal of Freedom, two Medal of Honor awards, a Legion of Merit award and a Purple Heart.
Amid sagging poll numbers, Trump was at times optimistic about the nation’s economic outlook and confrontational with Democrats who oppose his policies.
On the economy, he blamed former President Joe Biden for high prices and said his administration had achieved a massive turnaround in just one year. “Our nation is back, bigger and richer and stronger than ever before,” he said.
Large swaths of the public may disagree, as a new poll from ABC/Ipsos/Washington Post poll showed that 57% of respondents disagree with his handling of the economy.
Seeking to address such concerns, the president cited lower gas prices and mortgage rates, increased corporate investments in America, an end to tax on tips and overtime and lower tax burdens for many on Social Security. “The roaring economy is roaring like never before,” he said.
The president also promised a new policy that the federal government would match, up to $1,000, contributions to retirement plans for individuals who lack access to any corporate matching contributions. “A year ago we were a dead country. Now we are the hottest country in the world.”
While Trump’s immigration enforcement policies have drawn sharp criticism, he doubled down on that issue by citing incidents where American citizens were killed or injured by undocumented immigrants. His sharp remarks about how “unrestricted immigration and open borders” may contribute to US crime brought shouts from several Democrats.
Yet in a made-for-TV moment, the president asked his congressional audience where they stand on these issues. “If you agree with this statement, then stand up and show your support: The first duty of the American government is to protect American citizens, not illegal aliens.”
Republicans stood and applauded at length while most Democrats stayed in their seats, to Trump’s dismay.
Although foreign policy has occupied much of Trump’s attention in the past year, he spent comparatively little time on this issue other than noting that his administration continues to negotiate with Iran about its potential nuclear capacity.
After the president’s speech — the longest in State of the Union history — Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger delivered the Democrats’ response. The state’s first female governor, Spanberger sharply criticized the president on immigration enforcement.
"Our president has sent poorly trained federal agents into our cities where they have arrested and detained American citizens and people who aspire to be Americans," she said. "And they have done it without a warrant."
She also sharply criticized the president’s tariffs, saying these “reckless trade policies” are causing massive price increases. With a nod to the midterm congressional elections fast approaching, she added, “Democrats across the country are laser-focused on affordability” this year.
POSTED WEDNESDAY-SATURDAY 2/25-28/2026
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WEDNESDAY 2/25/26