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ABC News

In record State of the Union, Trump spars with Dems, touts economy and immigration

PHOTO: Capitol Hill
3:04
Kenny Holston/Pool via AP
Trump spars with Dems, touts economy in longest State of the Union address
By Alexandra Hutzler, Ivan Pereira, Meredith Deliso
Last Updated: February 25, 2026, 4:51 AM

President Donald Trump delivered his State of the Union Tuesday night in Washington, as a majority of Americans disapprove of how he is handling inflation, tariffs, relations with other countries, immigration and the economy, according to an ABC News/Washington Post/Ipsos poll.

For Trump, the speech was a chance to make the case directly to millions of Americans ahead of November's midterm elections where control of Congress is at stake. Dozens of Democrats, meanwhile, skipped the speech in protest.

Key Headlines

  • Schumer, Johnson react to speech
  • Dem response: 'We did not hear the truth from our president'
  • Trump ends State of the Union Speech, longest in history
Here's how the news developed:

Feb 25, 2026 4:51 AM

Schumer, Johnson react to speech

Following President Trump's State of the Union address, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer offered one phrase to reporters as he left the chamber: "State of Delusion."

Meanwhile, House Speaker Mike Johnson blasted Democrats for some of the heckling and reactions from a few members calling it "shameful."

PHOTO: Vice President JD Vance and Speaker Mike Johnson shake hands with President Donald Trump following his State of the Union address to a joint session of Congress in the House chamber at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, Feb. 24, 2026.
Alex Brandon/AP
Vice President JD Vance and Speaker Mike Johnson shake hands with President Donald Trump following his State of the Union address to a joint session of Congress in the House chamber at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, Feb. 24, 2026.
Alex Brandon/AP

When asked if the House would vote to censure Democratic Rep. Al Green, as they did last year after the State of the Union, Johnson said, "we’ll find out." He gave the same response when asked about consequences for Democratic Reps. Ilhan Omar and Rashida Tlaib's retorts.

-ABC News' Isabella Murray


Feb 25, 2026 4:44 AM

Dem response: 'We did not hear the truth from our president'

Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger said Americans "did not hear the truth from our president" tonight while delivering the Democratic response to Trump's State of the Union address.

"Is the president working to make life more affordable for you and your family? Is the president working to keep Americans safe, both at home and abroad? Is the president working for you?" she asked, saying the answer to those three questions is no.

PHOTO: Virginia Governor Abigail Spanberger delivers Democratic response to the 2026 State of the Union address by President Donald Trump, Feb. 24, 2026.
ABC News
Virginia Governor Abigail Spanberger delivers Democratic response to the 2026 State of the Union address by President Donald Trump, Feb. 24, 2026.
ABC News

She briefly touched on the files around Jeffrey Epstein and protests in Minnesota against the Trump administration's immigration crackdown, which were not mentioned during Trump's State of the Union.

Spanberger said Trump "offered no real solutions to our nation's pressing challenges, so many of which he is actively making worse."

Gov. Abigail Spanberger delivers Democratic response to State of the Union
12:53
Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger's speech focuses on affordability in the Democratic response to President Donald Trump’s 2026  State of the Union address.

Feb 25, 2026 4:22 AM

Trump ends State of the Union Speech, longest in history

Trump ended his speech at 10:59 p.m., after 1 hour and 48 minutes.

This marked the longest State of the Union speech in history, beating last year's 1 hour and 40 minute speech.

PHOTO: President Donald Trump delivers the State of the Union address in the House Chamber of the US Capitol in Washington, February 24, 2026.
Kenny Holston/Pool/AFP via Getty Images
President Donald Trump delivers the State of the Union address in the House Chamber of the US Capitol in Washington, February 24, 2026.
Kenny Holston/Pool/AFP via Getty Images


Feb 25, 2026 4:42 AM

Medal of Honor awarded to 100-year-old veteran

A 100-year-old veteran was also awarded the Medal of Honor during the State of the Union.

Royce Williams was a Navy fighter pilot who served in the Korean and Vietnam wars. President Trump called him a "legend" and highlighted Williams' dogfight against seven Soviet fighter planes during the Korean War that was a secret for decades.

First lady Melania Trump presented the retired captain with the Medal of Honor. Both sides of the aisle erupted with prolonged cheers and claps for him.

PHOTO: First Lady Melania Trump presents US veteran Captain E. Royce Williams with the Medal of Honor during US President Donald Trump's the State of the Union address in the House Chamber of the US Capitol in Washington, Feb. 24, 2026.
Brendan Smialowski/AFP via Getty Images
First Lady Melania Trump presents US veteran Captain E. Royce Williams with the Medal of Honor during US President Donald Trump's the State of the Union address in the House Chamber of the US Capitol in Washington, Feb. 24, 2026.
Brendan Smialowski/AFP via Getty Images

Feb 24, 2026 11:01 PM

Virginia Giuffre's brother, Epstein survivors speak out ahead of SOTU

Just hours before President Trump's State of the Union address, Democratic lawmakers and several survivors of Jeffrey Epstein spoke on Capitol Hill to demand more action from the administration.

Sky Roberts, the brother of the late Virginia Roberts Guiffre, called for "Virginia’s Law" to be passed by Congress, legislation that seeks to do away with the statute of limitations on sex abuse and trafficking victims' right to sue.

"Virginia's Law is about saying clearly that the rules that protected abusers and traffickers for decades will no longer stand. It’s about closing the gaps that powerful people exploit. It is about strengthening accountability so survivors are not forced to fight alone for years against the machine built to wear them down," Sky Roberts said.

Sky and Amanda Roberts will attend Trump's speech as guests by Democratic Reps. Jamie Raskin and Suhas Subramanyam.

PHOTO: Danielle Bensky, a Jeffrey Epstein survivor, speaks during a news conference ahead of the State of the Union address in the U.S. Capitol, on Feb. 24, 2026.
Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images
Danielle Bensky, a Jeffrey Epstein survivor, speaks during a news conference ahead of the State of the Union address in the U.S. Capitol, on Feb. 24, 2026. Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer, Sens. Andy Kim, and Amy Klobuchar also appear.
Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images

Dani Bensky, an Epstein survivor, took aim at the Trump administration and FBI Director Kash Patel. Bensky is attending Trump's speech as a guest of Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer.

“As we prepare to attend the State of the Union, survivors and this country have so many questions that need to be answered. The first one is, where are the rest of the files? The truth must come out. Why are there no investigations when there are plenty of people in these files to investigate?" Bensky said. "This administration needs to do better."

President Trump and the Justice Department have been dogged by questions about the Epstein files and their partial release and redactions. The DOJ said it has complied with the law passed by Congress that forced their release.

ABC News' Tierra Cunningham


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