Good evening, everyone. Tonight I watched the State of the Union and the counter-programming events on the National Mall so you don’t have to. I took the notes and cut through the spin. The President’s speech just concluded, marking the longest State of the Union speech in American history, and the first State of the Union address given by a President during a government shutdown.
And, in exciting news, tomorrow morning, I will be speaking with Vice President Kamala Harris to get her response to the speech tonight. You will get that interview first. Below is a recap of tonight. Before you scroll, please subscribe to support this work. I report independently, answer to no party or corporation, and rely only on readers like you.
The evening opened with confrontation. As the President entered the chamber, Representative Al Green held a sign reading “Black People Aren’t Apes.” He was quickly removed from the floor after the speech began
The President greeted four Supreme Court justices present in the chamber: John Roberts, Elena Kagan, Brett Kavanaugh, and Amy Coney Barrett. Among Democrats, he shook the hand of only one senator: John Fetterman of Pennsylvania. Trump’s hand was visibly discovered while speaking tonight:
The tone was set early. This was not a speech built around unity.
The President opened with a boast. The country is winning so much that people cannot handle it, he said. He introduced the men’s gold medal Olympic hockey team as proof. He announced that Connor Hellebuyck would receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
Then came the economic claims. Trump said that in one year, 2.4 million Americans were lifted off food stamps, a record. That is one way to describe reductions in SNAP enrollment. He accused Democrats of suddenly discovering the word “affordability” and insisted prices are plummeting, claiming egg prices are down 60 percent.
He said gas is below 2.30 dollars per gallon in most states. Current AAA data shows no state average below Oklahoma at 2.37 dollars per gallon.
On inflation, he implied he inherited record levels. Inflation was 3.0 percent when he returned to office. It peaked at 9.1 percent in June 2022 and declined steadily after that.
Trump signaled he would move forward with tariffs again without Congress despite Supreme Court rulings limiting executive authority. He claimed tariffs paid by foreign countries would substantially replace the modern income tax system and lift a financial burden from Americans. Economists have long noted that tariffs are paid primarily by importers and consumers, not foreign governments.
He declared that all Democrats voted against massive tax cuts. Democrats cheered in response. “In my first year of the second term,” he said, “should be my third term, but strange things happen.”
He called on Congress to pass a rule banning insider trading for members. “Let’s ensure that members of Congress cannot corruptly profit from insider information,” he said, before adding, “Did Nancy Pelosi stand up? Doubt it.” Fact check: she did stand for it.
Vice President JD Vance, Trump announced, will lead what he described as a war on fraud. Trump referenced Somali residents in Minnesota and cited 19 billion dollars in fraud. A federal prosecutor previously estimated potential Medicaid billing fraud of roughly 9 billion dollars statewide, a figure disputed by Governor Tim Walz. The prosecutor did not say Somali residents were responsible for all of it. The 19 billion dollar claim remains unproven.
At one point Trump shouted across the chamber, “You should be ashamed of yourself.” Congresswoman Ilhan Omar fired back, “You have killed Americans. You should be ashamed.”
Trump claimed Democrats can only get elected by cheating and vowed to stop it. There is no evidence that Democrats are elected solely through fraud. Republicans and Democrats alike are legitimately elected in the United States. Mail-in ballots are legal ballots. Documented fraud rates are minuscule.
He pointed toward Democrats and said, “These people are crazy. I’m telling you. They’re crazy.” Members of his cabinet stood and applauded.
Trump said he ended eight wars. Among the situations he referenced were disputes that were not formally wars. Fighting continues in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo despite announced peace efforts.
He warned that Iran is working to build missiles that will soon reach the United States. He also claimed that every NATO country is now spending 5 percent of GDP on defense after he pressured them to increase spending. NATO estimates show only a few members have reached or exceeded 3.5 percent in traditional defense spending. The 5 percent benchmark is not the current reality across the alliance.
While the official address dominated television coverage, more than one million people streamed the alternative People’s State of the Union hosted by MeidasTouch and MoveOn.
Representative Summer Lee announced she will introduce articles of impeachment against Pam Bondi.
Representative Robert Garcia said one of the most powerful moments of the night would be when Trump looks up at survivors of Jeffrey Epstein demanding truth and accountability.
Senator Ruben Gallego called the official speech a state of denial, arguing that under Trump and Republicans the country has become sicker, poorer, and less secure.
Two narratives unfolded at the same time. One leaned heavily on spectacle and sweeping claims of victory. The other leaned on warnings about corruption, inequality, and democratic backsliding.
Facts still matter. Context still matters. Accountability still matters. Overall, the President’s speech did not move the needle much as it did not provide the American public with anything new or noteworthy.