State of the Union Address 2026: The Definitive Analysis
By Robert Rojas
On Feb. 24, millions of people tuned in through various devices and platforms to watch a speech presented by the President of the United States to Congress and the American public, a speech known as the “State of the Union.”
The State of the Union address is presented annually to inform citizens around the nation and the world about the changes the country has gone through, what changes have been made to policy, and award recognitions to American citizens that stand out in respective accomplishments.
With the 2026 midterm elections looking grim for the Republican Party on trading platforms such as Kalshi and Polymarket, political analysts expected the speech to highly cover benefits brought upon by the Republicans as to create wider appeal to the party.
Upon entering the House Floor, President Trump created an appeal to the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence – setting the stage for the rest of the speech.
“Members of Congress and my fellow Americans, our nation is back. Bigger, better, richer, and stronger than ever before,” said President Trump in his jovial introduction.
Throughout the speech, countless nods were made to the economy. Especially to the housing market, grocery prices, gas prices, and affordability – a word that was used frequently during the speech.
“Democrats now use the word ‘affordability’ trying to make it seem like it [wasn’t] them that passed these laws making the economy be so weak,” commented the President when speaking about inflation in the country.
Over recent months, prices in the country have actually dwindled. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, inflation has gone down from 3% when Biden left office, to a current 2.4%. Egg prices have also gone down from $4.95 as a median in January when Trump took office, to now $2.57 a dozen. Gas prices too have followed this trend and lowered in Florida from $3.12 a gallon in Feb. of 2025 to $2.92 a gallon for regular.
“I think that the State of the Union was kind of a way for Trump to want to make everything he’s done look like it’s in a perfect light, when in reality not everything he does is correct,” said senior Samantha Morffi.
Like in all things, politics sometimes get messy and lead to combative rhetoric between both parties. During the State of the Union, Representative Al Green, from Texas’ 9th congressional district, was extracted by Capitol police after standing up and showing off a sign stating “Black People Aren’t Apes!” This was a form of protest against the Trump administration’s Truth Social post in which the Obamas are depicted as apes.
Some congressmen and women – mostly Democratic party members – chose to protest in silence by not clapping or standing up for a majority of President Trump’s talking points, or not even showing up at all. This was noticed by the President, who commented, “…how do you not stand for this, you should be ashamed.” This remark was made when presenting the mother of Iryna Zarutska – a Ukrainian immigrant stabbed to death on a subway back in September.
“I think that the Democrats were just trying to prove a point that illegal immigration isn’t a problem in this country when they failed to stand and applaud for Iryna Zarutska’s mother. It’s just a lack of morality from them,” said sophomore Kevin Siverio.
Among all the people celebrated or applauded at the State of the Union, Olympic Team USA stood out as one of the top commemorated citizens there. With clapping from both sides of the aisle. Connor Hellebuyck – the goaltender for Team USA – was awarded the highest form of honor for a civilian by President Trump that day, the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
Widow to Charlie Kirk, Erika Kirk, was also there in attendance to be commemorated by the President for her “singularity and bravery,” as commented by President Trump. Also applauded for her quick recovery of her late husband’s organization: Turning Point USA – a conservative thinktank, as mentioned by the President.
Overall, the viewpoint of the President of the United States on the leading of the nation can be summarized in a simple 7 words which have been said by dozens of Presidents before him in a historic precedent, “The state of the union is strong.” How these next 2 years will reflect that statement is the question on the American public’s mind.
