Highlights of Trump’s Record-Breaking 108-Minute SOTU Address 2026

SOTU 2026 HIGHLIGHTS: President Trump breaks the record for the longest State of the Union at 108 minutes. Read about his defiance of the Supreme Court on tariffs, the “Golden Age” economic claims, and the dramatic removal of Rep. Al Green from the House floor.

In a display of political endurance that tested the limits of both Congress and the C-SPAN clock, President Donald Trump delivered his 2026 State of the Union address on Tuesday night, February 24. Spanning a record-breaking 1 hour and 48 minutes, the speech was a combative, high-energy victory lap for an administration that Trump declared has brought about a “turnaround for the ages”.

While the President touted a “roaring economy” and the start of a “Golden Age”, the evening was punctuated by sharp confrontations with the Supreme Court and the dramatic removal of a Democratic lawmaker from the House floor.

The “Unfortunate Ruling”: Defying the Supreme Court

The most anticipated segment of the night focused on the Supreme Court’s recent strike-down of the administration’s emergency tariff powers. With four justices including Chief Justice John Roberts—seated just feet away, Trump did not mince words.

• The Attack: Trump labeled the court’s decision an “unfortunate ruling” and a “disgrace,” arguing that tariffs are the “lifeblood of the American Treasury.”
• The Pivot: In a moment of defiance that drew raucous cheers from the GOP side, Trump vowed to bypass the ruling using “alternative” trade laws. “Congressional action will not be necessary,” he declared. “We are going to tax those who have been taxing us for decades.”
• The Reaction: Democratic Representative Mark Takano was heard shouting “How about you first!” when Trump discussed ending insider trading, while Representative Rashida Tlaib audibly called the President “corrupt” during his defense of the tariff regime.

SOTU 2026: The Data Breakdown

Foreign Policy: Iran and the “Killing and Slaughter”

Trump shifted the tone significantly in the second hour, moving from domestic economic “winning” to the looming threat of conflict in the Middle East.

• The Iran Threat: Amid a massive U.S. military buildup in the region, Trump promised that Iran “will never have a nuclear weapon,” hinting that negotiations in Abu Dhabi (the so-called Board of Peace talks) were at a stalemate over “secret words” Tehran refuses to say.
• Ukraine and Russia: Trump claimed his administration is “working hard” to end the “killing and slaughter” between Russia and Ukraine. He notably cited a figure of 25,000 soldiers dying every month as a reason for an immediate, negotiated peace—a stance that remains deeply divisive among NATO allies.

A Gallery of Heroes and Victims

As is his signature, the President utilized the gallery to highlight his policy priorities through personal stories.

“We will ensure justice for your magnificent daughter,” Trump said, addressing the mother of Iryna Zarutska, a Ukrainian refugee fatally stabbed in North Carolina. He used the moment to hammer “soft-on-crime” local judges and justify his federal intervention in Democratic-led cities.

In a rare bipartisan moment, the entire chamber stood to applaud the U.S. Men’s Olympic Hockey Team. However, the mood soured quickly when Trump pivoted to mocking the Women’s team for declining their invitation, calling their absence “unfortunate and very, very political.”

The Democratic Response: “Chaos in the Communities”

Delivering the official Democratic response, Governor Abigail Spanberger offered a starkly different view of the nation. She described a country gripped by “rising costs and chaos,” specifically pointing to the recent federal enforcement tragedies in Minneapolis. “The state of our union isn’t ‘strong’—it’s exhausted,” Spanberger said. “Exhausted by the division and the constant shadow of the next crisis.”