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In a record-setting State of the Union address that stretched to 108 minutes, President Donald Trump delivered a forceful defense of his administration’s economic policies and immigration agenda against a backdrop of declining poll numbers ahead of the midterm elections.
The combative speech highlighted economic achievements while drawing sharp partisan divides, particularly on immigration. Trump directly challenged Democratic lawmakers when he called for a show of support for prioritizing American citizens over undocumented immigrants, triggering a standing ovation from Republicans while Democrats remained seated. “They should be ashamed of themselves,” Trump remarked about the silent opposition.
Notably absent from the president’s address was any substantial mention of the Russia-Ukraine war on its fourth anniversary, despite his campaign promises to swiftly end the conflict. He also avoided discussion of recently released Jeffrey Epstein files, though some of Epstein’s victims were present in the audience.
The partisan atmosphere was further underscored when Rep. Al Green, D-Texas, was removed from the chamber after displaying a sign reading “Black people aren’t apes,” referencing a controversial video Trump had recently shared on his Truth Social platform showing former President Barack Obama and Michelle Obama depicted as apes. The White House later claimed the post was made in error and removed it.
Dozens of Democratic lawmakers skipped the address entirely, choosing instead to attend alternative events, including a rally on the National Mall.
On economic matters, Trump claimed inflation is “plummeting,” though this overstates the progress. While inflation has eased to approximately 2.4% year-over-year in January 2026, down from about 2.9% at the end of President Biden’s term, this represents a continuation of a trend that began during the previous administration when inflation peaked at roughly 9% in summer 2022.
The president’s claims about gasoline prices were similarly exaggerated. He stated prices were “below $2.30 a gallon in most states,” but American Automobile Association data shows no state with an average below $2.37 per gallon. While prices have declined during Trump’s second term from a national average of $3.11 to $2.92, his assertion of widespread $1.99 gas prices was misleading.
Trump announced a prescription drug initiative through a new website, TrumpRX.gov, but his claims of price reductions of “300, 400, 500, 600% and more” represent mathematical impossibility. The site does offer significant discounts—up to 93% on some medications—but these are primarily for weight loss and fertility drugs often not covered by insurance, and many generic alternatives are available elsewhere at lower prices.
On immigration, the administration has dramatically reduced border encounters, with January 2026 figures showing nearly 10,000 encounters compared to more than 61,000 in January 2025. According to the Department of Homeland Security, Border Patrol has not released immigrants into the U.S. while awaiting court proceedings for eight months, instead deporting or detaining them.
Trump also highlighted a decline in the murder rate, correctly noting what experts expect will be the largest one-year decline in recorded history—about 20% for 2025. However, his claim that it represents the “lowest number in over 125 years” is questionable due to inconsistent data collection methods before 1960.
A rare moment of bipartisan applause came when Trump introduced the Olympic gold medal-winning men’s hockey team and announced his intention to award goaltender Connor Hellebuyck the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
The president also touted the launch of “Trump accounts,” which provide $1,000 in government seed money to babies born between 2025 and 2028. His claim that these accounts could grow to “$100,000 or more” by age 18 is highly optimistic and would require substantial additional contributions that many American families could not afford.
While celebrating the removal of 2.4 million Americans from food stamp programs, Trump framed this as an achievement, though these individuals lost benefits following passage of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which expanded work requirements for SNAP recipients, including parents of dependent children ages 14 and older, adults 55 to 64, veterans, and people experiencing homelessness.
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9 Comments
Interesting fact-check on Trump’s State of the Union claims. It’s important to scrutinize political rhetoric, especially on sensitive issues like immigration and the economy.
Agreed, a balanced, fact-based assessment is crucial during this partisan climate.
The lack of substantial discussion on the Russia-Ukraine war is notable, given Trump’s past promises. I wonder what factors may have influenced that omission.
Good point. The geopolitical landscape has shifted significantly since then, so it would be insightful to understand the administration’s current thinking on the conflict.
This fact-check provides a detailed look at the State of the Union address, highlighting both the economic claims and the partisan divides. It’s a valuable resource for understanding the political landscape.
The removal of Rep. Al Green for displaying a sign on racial issues is concerning. Political discourse should allow for respectful debate on sensitive topics.
I agree, freedom of expression is important, even when views are controversial. Handling such situations with care and nuance is essential.
This fact-check highlights the need for nuanced analysis of political rhetoric, going beyond simplistic narratives. I appreciate the effort to provide a balanced perspective.
Absolutely. Maintaining objectivity and scrutinizing claims, regardless of political affiliation, is crucial for an informed citizenry.