Trump delivers State of the Union highlighting major economy wins

America has achieved a “transformation for the ages,” Mr. President Donald Trump The US Congress celebrated him on Tuesday evening when he delivered his first State of the Union address during his second term.

“After just one year, I can say with all dignity and pride that we have achieved a transformation that no one has ever seen before,” Trump announced from the podium on Tuesday evening.

Trump delivered a lengthy, record-breaking speech as the longest in modern history, in which the president celebrated eliminating diversity, equity and inclusion policies, securing the border, unleashing American energy and, most notably, strengthening American energy. economy And help ordinary Americans.

Trump’s speech focused on how his administration could turn a new page in a stagnant economy under the Biden administration that has seen inflation rise to its highest levels in 40 years, pointing to savings in a “big, nice bill” for working families, such as no tax on tips or overtime.

President Donald Trump walks past Chief Justice John Roberts, Associate Justice Elena Kagan, Associate Justice Brent Kavanaugh, and Associate Justice Amy Coney Barrett as he arrives for the State of the Union address on February 24, 2026, in Washington. (Wayne McNamee/Getty Images)

Trump pointed to one of the guests invited to the speech, a homeschooling mother and waitress whose family benefited from Trump’s tax plans.

Trump said during his speech: “I met Megan Hemhauser, a devoted mother who homeschools her children.” “Waiting tables at night while her husband works overtime operating very heavy equipment. Meghan is here this evening, and she’s happy to tell you that she’s a whole lot richer, because with no tax on tips, no tax on overtime, and the expanded child tax credit that Republicans have introduced again, Meghan and her husband will get more than $5,000 more for this year alone, cutting their tax bill by more than half.”

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The economy and savings took center stage in the speech, as Trump celebrated that his administration was promising lower prices for Americans after the Biden administration.

He said: “The Biden administration and its allies in Congress gave us the worst inflation in the history of our country.” “But in the space of 12 months, my administration has pushed core inflation to its lowest level in more than five years. And in the last three months of 2025, it has fallen to 1.7%. Gasoline, which peaked at over $6 a gallon in some states under my predecessor. It was, quite frankly, a disaster, is now less than $2.30 a gallon in most states, and in some places $1.99 a gallon. And when I visited the great state of Iowa, before Just a few weeks ago, I saw $1.85 per gallon of gasoline.

Tariffs have played a key role in Trump’s economic plan for the nation, with the Supreme Court dealing a blow to his tariff policies on Friday when it struck down his use of emergency law to impose sweeping tariffs on most of the United States’ trading partners. Four of the nine justices, including John Roberts, Elena Kagan and Amy Coney Barrett, who ruled against Trump in the decision, attended the speech.

Trump called the ruling “unfortunate” during his speech, before looking to the future and pursuing separate legal routes to impose tariffs.

The speech included some anger from Democrats, most notably when Texas Democratic Rep. Al Green was again removed from the chamber, as happened during Trump’s 2025 primetime speech. Green was seen holding a sign that read, “Blacks Aren’t Apes!”

representative. Ilhan OmarThe Democratic senator from Minnesota also shouted at Trump, calling him a “liar” and a “killer” after he spoke about alleged fraud operations linked to Somalia in Minnesota.

“USA” chants erupt in the home room as men’s hockey gold medalists attend Trump’s union speech

The speech included some anger from Democrats, most notably when Texas Democratic Rep. Al Green said. (Kenny Holston Paul/Getty Images)

Trump invited a wide range of different guests to the speech, including everyday Americans, the widow of Turning Point USA co-founder Charlie Kirk, Erica KirkAnd the USA Men’s Hockey Team that just won gold, the military personnel who acted heroically in a time of crisis and the families who suffered tragedy at the hands of illegal immigrants.

Trump leveled sharp criticism at Democrats throughout his speech, including lawmakers’ refusal to stand up to stress that they believe the “first duty of the American government is to protect American citizens, not illegal aliens.”

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““Isn’t that a shame? You should be ashamed of yourself for not standing up,” Trump said as Democrats remained seated.

The president’s speech highlighted the illegal immigration crisis under the Biden administration, including inviting guests who have suffered tragedy at the hands of illegal immigrants.

One of the guests, Delilah Coleman, was just five years old when she was seriously injured after a multi-vehicle collision in California in 2024. The accident involved an illegal immigrant who was driving a truck.

Trump delivers his first official State of the Union address in his second term. (Getty Images)

Trump said: “The driver was an illegal alien. Joe Biden let him in and got a commercial driver’s license across the open border. California politicians and doctors said Delilah would never be able to walk or talk.” “She won’t even be able to eat again. But against all odds, she’s in first grade now, learning to walk. And she’s here this evening with her father, Marcus, who is a wonderful man.”

The speech included a number of breaking news moments, most notably bestowing the president with a number of high-profile awards for his efforts. Championship. Trump honored 100-year-old pilot and veteran of World War II, the Korean War and Vietnam, Royce Williams, with the Congressional Medal of Honor.

“In 1952, Royce was in the legendary air battle of his life flying through blizzard conditions, and his squadron was ambushed by seven Soviet fighter planes,” Trump recounted. “It was his first air battle of the war, and despite being outnumbered and outgunned, Royce led the shoot-down of four enemy planes and nearly destroyed the others, defeating his opponents while taking 263 bullets into his own plane and being seriously wounded. His story remained secret for more than 50 years. He didn’t even want to tell his wife, but the legend grew and grew.”

Trump also honored Army Chief Eric Slover with the Medal of Honor on Tuesday. Slover operated an Army Chinook helicopter during the capture of Venezuelan dictator Nicolas Maduro in January, and was wounded by hostile fire during the mission.

Gold medal-winning hockey player Jack Hughes poses for a photo with members of Team USA, February 24, 2026. (Matt Rourke/The Associated Press)

Trump announced that Olympic men’s hockey goaltender Connor Hellebuyck will be honored with the Presidential Medal of Freedom after the US team’s win over Canada in the Olympics.

He honored U.S. Air Force Sgt. Andrew Wolfe, who was brutally attacked in the streets of Washington, D.C., before Thanksgiving 2025, is awarded a Purple Heart.

Late Army Spc. Sarah Beckstrom, 20, was mortally wounded during the same attack and was posthumously honored with the Purple Heart. Beckstrom’s parents were invited to attend the speech in her honor.

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He also honored Coast Guard swimmer Scott Ruskan, who saved 165 people during the deadly Texas floods of July 2025, with the Medal of Merit for his extraordinary heroism.

U.S. Coast Guard Petty Officer 3rd Class Scott Ruskan, with the camper Millie Kate McClymond he rescued during the Texas floods, was honored by President Donald Trump. (Wayne McNamee/Getty Images)

Trump’s speech comes as the Republican Party prepares to defend its majority in the House of Representatives and the Senate as the midterm elections approach in November, as well as as the country prepares to celebrate the 250th anniversary of its independence.

“The 250th anniversary of our glorious American independence,” Trump said. “Next July 4th, we will celebrate two and a half centuries of liberty and triumph and progress and freedom in the most wonderful and extraordinary country ever to walk the face of the earth. And you haven’t seen anything yet. We’ll do better and better and better. This is America’s golden age.”

Trump concluded his speech looking to the future, while giving a nod to the nation’s founding 250 years ago.

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“The revolution that began in 1776 is not over yet,” Trump said. “It continues because the flame of freedom and independence still burns in the heart of every American patriot, and our future will be bigger, better, brighter, bolder and more glorious than ever before. Thank you. God bless you, and God bless America.”

Fox News Digital’s Charlie Kretz and Liz Elkind contributed to this report.

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