President Trump delivered the longest State of the Union address on record Tuesday night — here’s a clear breakdown of the key moments, the clashes, and what was announced.
President Donald Trump stood before a joint session of Congress on Tuesday evening and delivered a sweeping address that ran nearly two hours — the longest State of the Union on record. The night was marked by policy announcements, bipartisan applause, floor confrontations, and a significant number of Democrats choosing to stay home altogether.
Here’s everything you need to know, broken down simply.
1h 48m Longest SOTU on record since 1964
~50 Democratic lawmakers who boycotted
2 Medals of Honor awarded — a first
Before the Speech Even Started
The evening’s first flashpoint came before Trump spoke a single word. Rep. Al Green of Texas — who was removed from Trump’s 2025 joint address for heckling — entered the House chamber holding a large sign protesting a post on Trump’s Truth Social account that had depicted Barack and Michelle Obama as primates. Green was escorted out as Trump arrived, while Republican lawmakers chanted “USA! USA!” It was the second consecutive year Green was removed from a Trump congressional address.
Key Moments & Highlights
01
“A Turnaround for the Ages”
Trump opened by declaring that after just one year back in office, the United States was experiencing a historic turnaround. “The golden age of America is now upon us,” he told Congress. Republicans responded with sustained applause; most Democrats remained seated and silent.
02
Economy, Tariffs, and Defying the Supreme Court
A large portion of the speech focused on the economy. Trump touted lower gasoline prices, falling egg costs, and tax cuts included in his sweeping “One Big Beautiful Bill Act.” He also addressed a Supreme Court ruling issued the previous week that struck down portions of his import tariffs as unconstitutional — and openly pledged to impose replacement tariffs under different legal authority, brushing aside the ruling.
03
Floor Clashes Over Immigration
The speech grew heated during a segment on immigration and alleged fraud in Minnesota. As Trump spoke, Democratic Reps. Ilhan Omar and Rashida Tlaib could be heard heckling from the floor. Trump paused to address Democrats directly, calling on lawmakers to stand in support of American citizens. When most Democrats did not, he said: “You should be ashamed.” Tlaib responded by shouting “Liar!” from her seat.
04
Olympic Heroes and the Medal of Freedom
In one of the night’s most warmly received moments, Trump welcomed the U.S. men’s Olympic hockey team — who had just won gold against Canada at the 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics — to a standing ovation from both sides of the aisle. He announced goalie Connor Hellebuyck, who made 41 saves in the gold-medal game, would receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
05
A Historic Medal of Honor Moment
For the first time in history, Medals of Honor were awarded during a State of the Union address. Chief Warrant Officer Eric Slover, wounded during the U.S. operation that captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, received one. The second went to retired Navy Captain E. Royce Williams — now 100 years old — who secretly shot down four Soviet MiG fighter jets during the Korean War in 1952, a mission that remained classified for decades.
06
“Trump Accounts” for Newborns
Trump announced a new program called “Trump Accounts” — tax-deferred savings accounts for children born between 2025 and 2028, each seeded with a $1,000 contribution from the U.S. Treasury. He said approximately three million children had already been enrolled in the program since its creation.
07
A Warning to Iran
On foreign policy, Trump addressed the ongoing nuclear standoff with Iran. Striking a firm but measured tone, he said his preference was for a diplomatic solution — but added that he would “never allow the world’s number one sponsor of terror to have a nuclear weapon.” He offered no specific details about next steps.
The Democratic Response
Virginia Governor Abigail Spanberger delivered the official Democratic rebuttal from Colonial Williamsburg. Speaking directly to viewers at home, she said the president had offered “no real solutions” on the issues families care about most, including grocery costs and healthcare. She also criticized the administration’s immigration enforcement approach, accusing federal agents of arresting mothers and detaining children. California Sen. Alex Padilla delivered a separate Spanish-language response.
“We did not hear the truth from our president tonight.”— Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger, Democratic rebuttal
The Bigger Picture
The address unfolded against the backdrop of a partial government shutdown affecting the Department of Homeland Security, whose funding has lapsed since January 30. Trump blamed Democrats for the impasse; Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer countered that Republicans had ignored Democratic proposals to end the standoff.
Around 50 Democratic lawmakers chose to boycott the speech entirely, attending a rival “People’s State of the Union” event hosted by progressive organizations instead — a reflection of the deep divisions between the two parties heading further into 2026.
Recent polling shows more than half of Americans believe Trump is changing the country in the wrong direction, though he retains strong support within his own party. Whether Tuesday’s record-breaking address shifts any of those numbers remains to be seen.