Trump Touts "Golden Age" in Record-Breaking 2026 State of the Union

WASHINGTON — In a marathon address that shattered his own record for longevity, President Donald Trump delivered his 2026 State of the Union speech on Tuesday night, declaring the arrival of a "Golden Age of America." The speech, lasting approximately one hour and 48 minutes, served as a defiant defense of his administration’s "America First" agenda while setting a combative tone for the upcoming midterm elections.

The Economic Pitch: "A Turnaround for the Ages"

President Trump spent the first hour of his address focused on the economy, attempting to frame his second term as a period of unprecedented prosperity. He cited falling gas prices, a record-breaking stock market, and his efforts to lower drug prices as evidence of a "roaring" economy.

"Our nation is back—bigger, better, richer, and stronger than ever before," Trump told the joint session of Congress.

Key economic claims included:

• Energy Dominance: Touting seven straight weeks of falling gas prices and the lowest energy costs in nearly five years.

• Inflation: Declaring that inflation is "plummeting," despite recent data suggesting acceleration in some sectors.

• Manufacturing: Claiming a "jobs and manufacturing boom" sparked by his deregulatory agenda and tax cuts.

Clashes in the Chamber

The atmosphere inside the House chamber was frequently hostile, marked by vocal protests and theatrical departures from Democratic lawmakers.

• Democratic Walkouts: Representatives Rashida Tlaib (D-Mich.) and Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.) exited the chamber approximately one hour and 45 minutes into the speech. Before her exit, Omar heckled the President during his remarks on immigration, yelling, "You have killed Americans."

• Protest Sign: Representative Al Green (D-Texas) was escorted from the chamber early after unfurling a sign that read "Black People Aren't Apes!"—a reference to a controversial video previously shared by the President.

• Heckling: When Trump discussed a ban on insider trading for members of Congress, Representative Mark Takano (D-Calif.) shouted, "How about you first!" Trump responded by calling the hecklers "crazy" and suggesting they "should be ashamed" of themselves.

Foreign Policy and National Security

The President took a hard line on Iran, warning that the U.S. would never allow the country to obtain a nuclear weapon. He touted the previous "obliteration" of Iran’s nuclear capabilities and noted that while he prefers diplomacy, military force remains on the table.

In a segment on South America, Trump highlighted the capture of Nicolás Maduro, inviting military heroes involved in the operation—including Chief Warrant Officer Eric Slover—as guests in the gallery.

The Democratic Response

Virginia Governor Abigail Spanberger delivered the Democratic response, accusing the President of failing to tell the truth about the cost of living. She criticized Trump's tariff policies as a "massive tax hike" on American families and argued that his healthcare policies are forcing rural clinics to close.

"We did not hear the truth from our president," Spanberger said. "Is the president working to make life more affordable for you and your family? The answer is no."

Notable Moments

• Olympic Heroes: In a rare moment of bipartisanship, the U.S. men’s Olympic hockey team received a standing ovation. Trump used the moment to announce he was awarding the Presidential Medal of Freedom to goaltender Connor Hellebuyck.

• Supreme Court: Trump addressed the Supreme Court's recent ruling striking down his global tariff regime, calling it "unfortunate" but vowing to use "alternative" legal avenues to maintain his trade agenda.

• Longest Speech: At 108 minutes, the address eclipsed the record previously held by Trump himself, reflecting his desire to use the primetime platform to bypass traditional media and speak directly to his base ahead of the November midterms.