Trump State of the Union Address 2026

Tuesday, Feb. 24, 2026, President Donald J. Trump will deliver his second State of the Union address to Congress in 13 months.

The President’s approval rating is plummeting due to several elements. These issues are not listed in any particular order. Trump’s threat to strike Iran is raising anxiety across the country, American are struggling under the cost of living, despite the ruling of the U.S. Supreme Court, Trump is threatening to use alternative laws to continue his global tariff efforts, and the economy slowed while inflation accelerated. There are just a few of the many recent events that have continued to raise concerns throughout the United States.

Drafted Talking Points

A White House official says Trump will “claim victory on the economy” and will argue he inherited a poor economy from the previous Democratic administration. He will point out stock market gains, private sector investments, and tax cut legislation as evidence he has helped the economy.

Additionally, during his State of the Union address, the president will tout his immigration and deportation policies despite polls showing the American people believe ICE has gone too far in this endeavor.

Republican strategist Amanda Makki says, “This is the one opportunity the president has where the whole world is looking at what he has to say and this is his opportunity to summarize everything that he’s done and not go off script.”

Last March, the President delivered 100-minute speech, the longest in modern history. This year, White House officials say this year’s speech was crafted with “room for unscripted moments. We are planning around it.”

Additionally, last year, Democrats scoffed at comments made in the President’s State of the Union address and left in protest. This year, some Democrats have chosen to no attend the Congressional address and plan to attend the outdoor rally at the National Mall instead. Sen. Jeff Merkley of Oregon told reporters it would offer a more “honest description” of the President’s record than the “propaganda push.”

State of the Union Lineup

Virginia Gov. Abby Spanberger will deliver the Democratic response to the President’s address.

Democratic Sen. Alex Padilla from California will give the Spanish-language rebuttal. Last year, he was pushed to the ground and handcuffed attempting to ask Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem a question during a press conference.

Approval Rating Decline

Trump has publicly stated, “If I came up with a cure for cancer, they would say he should have done it years ago. There is not a thing I can do where these people are going to give me credit.”

The President’s approval rating is down to 36 percent from last year’s 48 percent and down to 26 percent with Independents.

Republican strategist Matthew Bartlett says, “Trump has but one note, which is rage. I’m not sure that’s somehow going to change, or that he’ll find some sort of pitch-perfect tone for the American worker.”

White House officials are focused on a midterm pitch balancing accomplishments thus far with a preview of a forward-moving agenda. According to a White House official, the challenge is a messaging issue. “If there’s not a sense we’re making people feel better about the economy, making their lives more affordable, we’re not going to win.” Currently, they are relying on the tax provisions in the Big, Beautiful Bill to result in larger-than-normal anticipated tax refunds.

During the State of the Union address, Trump is expected to tout his accomplishments. He has already argued the benefiting of businesses and residents, in a speech he gave in Georgia last week, before veering off topic saying, “What word have you not heard over the last two weeks” Affordability. Because I’ve won. I’ve won affordability.”

Reuters: Trump, facing headwinds at home and abroad to address State of the Union
CNN: Trump faces a skeptical public and myriad challenges ahead of State of the Union address
PBS: Trump says he’s kept all of his campaign promises, PolitiFacts MAGA-Meter shows otherwise

Featured Image Courtesy of Gage Skidmore’s Flickr Page – Creative Commons License