President Donald Trump addressed Congress in a State of the Union speech that lasted 108 minutes, the longest on record. The address covered topics from economic achievements to foreign policy, drawing chants of 'USA! USA!' from Republican attendees. Representative Raul Ruiz later remarked that Trump deserved a Nobel Prize for fiction.
On Tuesday night, President Donald Trump delivered his State of the Union address from the House Chamber, clocking in at 108 minutes and surpassing previous records for length. During the speech, Trump highlighted what he described as a 'golden age' for the U.S. economy, claiming millions had left food stamp programs due to newfound affluence. He also praised the U.S. men's hockey team for their heroism, with team members present in the audience to endorse his message.
Trump discussed tariffs as a means to eventually replace the income tax and provided reasoning that appeared to build toward potential conflict with Iran. He positioned himself as a champion of law and order, calling for stricter voting restrictions and criticizing Democrats for supporting 'illegals' over U.S. citizens. When he asked supporters of citizens over immigrants to stand, Democrats remained seated, prompting mockery from the president.
The speech included references to global respect for the U.S., despite reported strains on alliances through economic measures and territorial rhetoric. Trump touted 'TrumpRx' accounts for affordable prescription drugs as a solution to health insurance challenges, and mentioned private 'Trump accounts' funded by donors to aid U.S. children amid cuts to social programs. He celebrated the dismantling of what he called the 'Green New Scam' and the liberation of fossil fuel production.
On foreign affairs, Trump claimed to have ended most world wars, briefly addressing Russia's conflict with Ukraine and Israel's actions in Gaza and the West Bank over 40 minutes in, primarily to praise his own efforts. He spent seven minutes lauding the masculinity of the hockey team and reminisced about his father's era, while creating imagined dialogues with foreign leaders about U.S. military strength.
Republicans frequently chanted 'USA! USA!' in response, creating an echo in the chamber. Earlier that day, NPR reported on Epstein files alleging Trump attempted to force a 13-year-old to perform oral sex in the 1980s; Justice Department head Pam Bondi, whose agency reportedly lost three related FBI files, applauded throughout. Afterward, California Representative Raul Ruiz quipped that Trump should receive the Nobel Prize for fiction.
The address also touched on the upcoming 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence and expressed frustration over a Supreme Court decision on tariffs, suggesting alternative ways to prevent foreign exploitation of Americans.
