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LIVE UPDATES: Trump Issues State Of The Union

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There was noticeable chatter online about Nancy Pelosi’s demeanor ahead of President Trump’s State of the Union, with some critics speculating about her behavior.

President Trump told lawmakers that Iran has killed tens of thousands of its own citizens amid a brutal government crackdown on nationwide protests, saying the death toll could be as high as 32,000 people.

President Trump warned during the address that Iran is developing missiles capable of reaching the United States, saying the regime is “pursuing their sinister ambitions.” He noted that negotiations are ongoing but added that the U.S. has not yet heard what he called the “secret words” from Tehran: “We will never have a nuclear weapon.”

President Trump praised Secretary of State Marco Rubio during the address, saying he believes Rubio will go down as the “best ever” to hold the position.

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President Trump awarded National Guard Staff Sgt. Andrew Wolfe the Purple Heart for surviving the terror attack in Washington, D.C., drawing a prolonged standing ovation from the chamber. The family of fallen National Guard member Sarah Beckstrom was also presented with a Purple Heart in her honor, as lawmakers from both parties rose to recognize their sacrifice.

President Trump gave a major shoutout to National Guard Staff Sgt. Andrew Wolfe during the address, noting that he survived being shot in Washington, D.C. The chamber applauded as Wolfe stood, appearing strong and steady. “His mother turned out to be right,” Trump said. “With God’s help, Andrew has battled back from the edge of death.”

President Trump paused during the address to recognize the parents of fallen National Guard member Sarah Beckstrom, who he said was killed by an Afghan national in Washington, D.C. The chamber rose in a full standing ovation as the grieving parents stood. Trump called her “a great young lady” and added, “She was perfect,” as lawmakers from both parties applauded the tribute.

During the address, President Trump recognized the grieving mother of Iryna Zarutska, who he said was killed by a criminal released under policies he blamed on Democrats in North Carolina. Trump pledged, “We will ensure justice for your daughter,” as Republicans stood and applauded. Several Democrats remained seated.

After recognizing Charlie Kirk, President Trump declared, “We must reject political violence of any kind,” prompting members of both parties to rise in a rare moment of unity inside the chamber. The bipartisan standing ovation stood out amid an otherwise tense evening.

President Trump gave a shoutout to Charlie Kirk during the address, prompting chants of “Charlie, Charlie, Charlie!” from supporters in the chamber. He then acknowledged Erika Kirk in the gallery, saying, “Erika, please stand. You’ve been through a lot,” as cameras showed her appearing emotional. The moment drew strong applause from Republicans as Trump framed it as a reminder that, in his words, evil will lose.

President Trump called on Congress to unite behind the SAVE America Act, urging lawmakers to pass it “before anything else happens.” Framing the issue as fundamental to election integrity, he asked, “Why would anyone not want it?” and added that opposition suggests some “want to cheat,” drawing loud applause from Republicans while many Democrats remained seated.

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President Trump took aim at New York City Mayor Mamdani during the address, criticizing what he described as inconsistent ID requirements. Trump said that in New York, applicants allegedly need two forms of ID and a Social Security card to shovel snow, but not to vote.

“They want people to shovel snow. But if you apply, you need to show two forms of ID and a Social Security card,” Trump said. “Yet no ID for the greatest privilege of them all: voting.”

He used the moment to push for stricter federal voter identification standards, urging Congress to pass the SAVE America Act as Republicans applauded and Democrats remained seated.

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President Trump’s comments on Somalia and illegal immigration sparked a heated reaction in the chamber, with Rep. Ilhan Omar visibly upset and shouting, “You should be ashamed of yourself!” as the president continued speaking. The tense exchange underscored the deep divide between Republicans and Democrats over immigration policy, with GOP lawmakers applauding and several Democrats protesting from their seats.

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During the address, President Trump challenged lawmakers directly, saying, “Stand if you agree: The first duty of the American government is to protect American citizens, not illegal aliens.” Many Republicans rose to their feet, while a number of Democrats remained seated, creating a striking visual contrast inside the chamber as the debate over immigration policy played out in real time.

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During the address, several Democrats remained seated as President Trump highlighted the story of a 5-year-old girl who was seriously injured after being struck by a truck driven by an undocumented immigrant, according to the White House. Trump used the moment to criticize the previous administration’s border policies, arguing that lax enforcement put American families at risk, while Republicans stood and applauded and many Democrats did not join in.

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President Trump announced during the address that Vice President JD Vance will lead what he called a new “war on fraud,” aimed at rooting out waste, corruption and abuse across federal programs. Trump said cracking down on fraud could dramatically improve the nation’s finances, adding, “If we find enough fraud, we’ll have a balanced budget.”

In a pointed remark, he referenced “the Somali pirates who ransacked Minnesota” as a warning about corruption and lawlessness, drawing visible reactions from some Democratic lawmakers, including Rep. Ilhan Omar. The comments immediately intensified partisan tensions inside the chamber as Republicans applauded and Democrats remained seated.

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President Trump called for a ban on congressional stock trading during his address, drawing bipartisan applause from parts of the chamber. As some Democrats stood, Trump reacted in real time, joking, “They stood up for that! Did Nancy Pelosi stand up if she was here?! Doubt it!” He then added with a grin, “I’m very impressed, you stood up!” prompting laughter from Republicans.

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During the address, several Democrats remained seated as President Trump touted what he described as plummeting prescription drug prices under his administration. “They talked, no action, I got it done,” Trump said, drawing loud applause from Republicans. He added, “We will now pay the lowest price for drugs anywhere in the world,” framing the issue as a clear contrast between his policies and those of his political opponents.

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President Trump blasted what he called “one of the biggest ripoffs of our time,” pointing to the crushing cost of healthcare and directing blame at Democrats in the chamber. “Since the Unaffordable Care Act, or Obamacare, big insurance got rich,” he said, arguing that the law benefited insurers while American families were left paying the price.

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President Trump sharply criticized Democrats during the address, calling their claims about affordability “a dirty rotten lie” and accusing them of supporting the very policies that led to higher prices.

“Those same Democrats who voted for disastrous policies say the word ‘affordability,’ knowing you caused the high prices our citizens had to endure. You caused that problem,” he said. Trump added, “Our policies are rapidly ending it. Those prices are plummeting down,” as Republicans applauded and Democrats remained seated.

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President Trump addressed the Supreme Court justices directly during the speech, saying their recent anti-tariff ruling had backfired and insisting his tariffs will remain in place. Trump argued that congressional action will not be necessary to preserve his trade agenda, as cameras showed Chief Justice John Roberts and Justice Amy Coney Barrett maintaining composed expressions in the chamber.

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President Trump drew a strong reaction from Democrats after revealing that a working American mother saw her tax bill cut by more than half under his tax policies, putting more than $5,000 back in her pocket. He said she is now saving thousands of dollars just as he promised on the campaign trail, adding, “Thank you Megan, we’re fighting for you,” as Republicans applauded.

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President Trump took direct aim at Democrats during the address, accusing them of betraying the country and saying that every Democrat wanted tax increases as Republicans applauded. He contrasted that with his own agenda, stating, “We gave you no tax on tips, overtime and Social Security for our great seniors,” while cameras showed Democratic leaders, including Chuck Schumer, appearing visibly frustrated.

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Some Democratic lawmakers did not stand to applaud Team USA’s men’s hockey team’s Olympic victory during tonight’s State of the Union address — part of a broader pattern of resistance and protest from many Democrats who are boycotting or skipping parts of the event as a political statement.

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President Trump announced that the U.S. women’s hockey team has agreed to meet with him in the Oval Office, drawing loud applause as he shared the news during the address. The unexpected moment immediately sparked buzz inside the chamber and is certain to ignite strong reactions across the political aisle.

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President Trump praised Team USA’s star goalie Connor Hellebuyck during the address, saying, “I’ve NEVER seen a goalie play as well as goalie Connor Hellebuyck!”

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President Trump gave an electric shoutout to the Team USA men’s Olympic hockey gold medal champions, calling them “a group of winners who made the entire nation proud,” as the chamber erupted into chants of “USA! USA! USA!”

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President Donald Trump is delivering his 2026 State of the Union address tonight before a joint session of Congress, declaring that “our nation is back” as he lays out his vision for what he calls the “golden age of America.”

The address began at 9 p.m. Eastern in the House chamber at the U.S. Capitol and marks Trump’s first official State of the Union of his second term. He previously addressed a joint session of Congress in March 2025, though that speech was not technically a State of the Union.

Early in the speech, Trump offered a sweeping declaration about the state of the country.

“Our nation is BACK. Bigger, better, richer and stronger than ever before!” he said to loud applause from Republican lawmakers.

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Moments later, the president doubled down on his broader theme for the night.

“You’ve seen nothing yet. This is the golden age of America.”

The address is expected to focus heavily on the economy, energy production, immigration enforcement, military funding and foreign policy, including tensions in the Middle East.

Trump is framing his first year back in office as a period of economic resurgence, citing job growth, domestic manufacturing expansion and renewed investment in American energy. He is also expected to press Congress for increased military spending and tougher voter ID requirements ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.

Democrat ejected from chamber

The speech was disrupted almost immediately when Democratic Rep. Al Franken was removed from the House chamber after protesting roughly one minute into the address.

Franken held up a sign reading, “Black people aren’t apes!” before being escorted out by security.

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Several Democrats are boycotting the speech altogether, instead participating in a nearby “People’s State of the Union” counter-event criticizing Trump’s policies on immigration, voting laws and foreign affairs.

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First Lady Melania Trump received a prolonged standing ovation when she was recognized during the address. Lawmakers rose to applaud as she stood and waved from the gallery.

The moment marked one of the loudest ovations of the evening so far, underscoring the strong Republican support surrounding the president inside the chamber.

Trump’s family members, Cabinet officials and several Supreme Court justices are also in attendance.

Agenda ahead of the midterms

Politically, the speech serves as a cornerstone of the Republican message heading into the 2026 midterm elections.

Trump is expected to highlight:

• Economic growth and inflation relief efforts
• Energy expansion and tech-sector electricity agreements tied to AI data center demand
• Increased border enforcement operations
• Expanded military funding
• U.S. posture toward Iran and broader Middle East strategy

The president previously set a modern record with a nearly 100-minute address in 2025, and allies have suggested tonight’s speech could also run long.

As the address continues, Trump appears determined to project strength and momentum, repeatedly returning to themes of national revival and American exceptionalism.

More updates to follow as the speech unfolds.

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