That Was the State of Our Union – February 25th, 2026
Takeaway #1: What you saw is what we are
Let me start by saying this. Last night was President Trump at his very best. It wasn’t just his best State of the Union speech. It was the strongest speech he’s ever delivered. He was focused, he was passionate, he was on message, he spoke plainly, and he delivered the ultimate contrast in policy and vision. A country of champions...a la the U.S. Olympics Hockey teams...check. A country with a history of martyrs who’ve laid down their lives for their beliefs and our freedom...a la Charlie Kirk...check. A country with a strong fearless leader with a clear vision for the future success of this country...a la President Trump...check. A country with an opposition party that’s more interested in opposing President Trump than serving their constituent’s interests...a la the Democrat Party...check. A divided country...check. That was on display in just about every way. From Senate minority leader Chuck Schumer literally turning his back on President Trump as he entered the chamber. From the Olympic gold winning hockey team that attended the SOTU, to the Olympic gold winning hockey team that didn’t. From the majority of the chamber appropriately recognizing Charlie Kirk’s life, to the minority of the chamber that couldn’t even bring themselves to pay respect to Charlie Kirk’s wife. Heading into last night’s State of the Union Address, the first of President Trump’s second term, I suggested that Democrats were set to play into President Trump’s hand and that’s exactly what they did. The party had become so unhinged that House minority leader Hakeem Jeffries felt compelled to issue directions to Democrats in advance. As Jeffries said: The two options that are in front of us to either attend with silent defiance or not to attend and send a message to Donald Trump in that fashion. Well, a small group of them pretended to play president by holding what they called the “People’s State of the Union” a predictably lame side show that served the interests of illegal immigrants more than their constituents. A small group just decided to stay home. And then the rest of the group behaved as though there is absolutely nothing that Donald Trump could possibly say or do that has been, is, or will be good for you. With Squad members in attendance regularly shouting at the president, while wearing buttons that had sayings like “F*** ICE” in defiance of Jeffries’ direction.
Takeaway #2: The Reality
If you were an objective onlooker to last night’s festivities which display resonated the most with you? The Squad’s shenanigans? Al Green’s weak repeat of last year’s disruptive protest that led to his ouster? Only about half of Democrats even bothering to applaud the Men’s Olympic Hockey team (what was a historically special moment) or President Trump’s message of optimism and strength? In the words of President Trump... Our nation is back bigger, better and stronger than ever before. This is the golden age of America. Tonight, after just one year, I can say with dignity and pride that we have achieved a transformation like no one has ever seen before, and a turnaround for the ages. And we will never go back to where we were just a short time ago, we’re not going back. Today our border is secure. Our spirit is restored. Inflation is plummeting. Incomes are rising fast. The roaring economy is roaring like never before, and our enemies are scared, our military and police are stacked, and America is respected again, perhaps like never before. What were Democrats willing to stand for? Higher taxes. They literally stood and applauded when he pointed out that all Democrats voted for higher taxes.
Takeaway #3: The Receipts
Yesterday in discussing the opportunity presented to President Trump through his State of the Union address I said this... President Trump’s greatest strength politically since he first arrived on that scene is that he’s been able to connect to Americans in way that few could. And in his first term he was able to produce economic success that few had prior to the impact of the pandemic. But more recently President Trump’s messaging hasn’t met the average person’s economic reality. Last week he told supporters at a stop in Georgia: “I inherited a mess and we’ve solved it”! He also told Fox Business last week “I think we have the greatest economy actually ever in history”. But what the president thinks, and the average American thinks isn’t currently the same thing. During his first term President Trump’s RCP average approval on the economy was about 60%. Currently that number stands at about 40%. President Trump’s messaging in tonight’s State of the Union address presents an opportunity for him to reconnect on this issue or if he misses the moment carries with it increased political risk heading into this year’s midterm elections. Last night President Trump met the moment. As he said... The Biden administration and its allies in Congress gave us the worst inflation in the history of our country. But in 12 months, my administration has driven core inflation to the lowest level in more than five years, and in the last three months of 2025, it was down to 1.7%. He spoke of the soon-to-be-realized benefit of no tax on tips, no tax on overtime, and no tax on Social Security (for 90% of recipients). He spoke of the newly established Trump accounts which will be funded with $1,000 for children born starting January 1st of last year. He highlighted TrumpRx which has delivered cost savings of 50%-90% on dozens of the most popular prescriptions. He also outlined his plan to allow for all Americans to be able access the same retirement accounts as government officials which will also be funded with $1,000 to start. He met the moment on the very real issue of affordability. He also gracefully handled the Supreme Court’s ruling against his “reciprocal” tariff policy. And then he delivered the most instructive moment I’ve seen during a State of the Union address. President Trump called for members of congress to stand if they believe it's their "first duty" to protect American citizens, "not illegal aliens." Not a single Democrat stood, and Republicans stood and clapped in the longest applause of the night – holding the clear contrast for all to see and hear. It was the all-time “any questions?” moment. The president’s focus on domestic “America First” issues lasted for over the first hour of the speech, before pivoting to foreign policy, highlighting our country’s many recent successes – and current threats and challenges a la Iran and Russia. Trump’s speech was the longest State of the Union address in American history...but if you were watching or listening to it, it didn’t feel that way...except perhaps for the Democrats in attendance who commonly looked like they were either in pain, about to cry or perhaps constipated or perhaps all three). What was on display last night was truly our state of our union for the entire world to see. Which vision of the country do you want this to be. The contrast has never been clearer.