President Donald Trump lashed out at Democratic congresswomen Rashida Tlaib and Ilhan Omar over their “uncontrollable screaming” during his State of the Union address Tuesday, describing them as “LUNATICS” and calling for them to be “institutionalized.”
“When you watch Low IQ Ilhan Omar and Rashida Tlaib, as they screamed uncontrollably last night at the very elegant State of the Union, such an important and beautiful event, they had the bulging, bloodshot eyes of crazy people, LUNATICS, mentally deranged and sick who, frankly, look like they should be institutionalized,” the president wrote on his Truth Social platform Wednesday.
During his speech Trump criticized Democrats for not standing to applaud his efforts on immigration enforcement, to which Omar responded by shouting out multiple times that he had “killed Americans.”
She later posted on X accusing Trump of killing “two of my constituents,” referencing the deaths of Renee Good and Alex Pretti in Minneapolis at the hands of immigration agents.
House Speaker Mike Johnson later claimed he came “this close” to stopping the pair. “If they’d gone a step further, I probably would have ejected them," he told Fox News.
Trump broke the record for the longest-ever State of the Union address, at one hour and 48 minutes, where he boasted about delivering a new age of prosperity for Americans and repeating his well-worn catchphrase that the U.S. is the “the hottest country” in the world right now.
Key Points
- Donald Trump offers Americans thin gruel as he turns State of the Union into awards show
- Pam Bondi calls Trump's SOTU address 'epic'
- Virginia governor accuses Trump of 'unprecedented corruption' in Democratic rebuttal
- ‘Didn’t mention Epstein once:’ Americans react to Trump’s record-breaking address
- Fact-checking Trump’s claims about economy and the ‘eight wars’ he says he's stopped
Most Americans disagree that US is 'hottest country' in the world: poll
00:39 , Brendan RasciusMinutes into his State of the Union address, President Trump proclaimed that the U.S. is now the “hottest country” in the world — but few Americans are on the same page, according to a new poll.
A YouGov survey asked respondents whether they agreed with Trump’s statement that "A short time ago, we were a dead country. Now, we are the hottest country anywhere in the world.”
A majority, 54 percent, said they disagreed, while 27 percent said they agreed. An additional 19 percent said they weren’t sure.
The poll was conducted Feb. 24-25 with 2,417 U.S. adults.
Elizabeth Warren responds to Trump's SOTU remarks about homeownership
00:20 , Brendan RasciusSen. Elizabeth Warren, a Massachusetts Democrat, responded to Trump’s comments about homeownership he made during last night’s State of the Union address — accusing him of talking a big game.
“Last month, I signed an executive order to ban large Wall Street investment firms from buying up in the thousands single family homes,” the Republican president said during his speech on Capitol Hill. “And now I’m asking Congress to make that ban permanent.”
On Wednesday afternoon Warren released a video on social media taking aim at his remarks.
“Trump talks big about getting Wall Street out of housing, but Democrats actually have a bill to get this done,” the senator said. “The American Homeownership Act would rein in Wall Street and big corporate landlords by taking away their tax breaks for buying homes.”
“If President Trump is serious about this issue, then he would work with us to get this bill signed into law,” she added.
Trump and Warren have exchanged barbs for years. But, last month, she said that, after delivering a speech about high prices, Trump called her to talk about working together on lowering housing costs.
If Trump is serious about stopping Wall Street from buying up neighborhoods, Democrats have a bill to do exactly that.
— Elizabeth Warren (@SenWarren) February 25, 2026
The time for talk is over. Let’s put housing back into the hands of American families. pic.twitter.com/m4NXKRVXfA
GOP senator says Democrats were 'sourpusses' during Trump's State of the Union speech
00:00 , Brendan RasciusSen. Ron Johnson, a Wisconsin Republican, accused Democrats of being “sourpusses” during last night’s State of the Union address.
In an interview with CNN on Wednesday, he specifically called out Democrats for failing to show support for Anna Zarutska — the mother of a woman who was stabbed to death in North Carolina last year — who was seated in the House gallery.
“They wouldn’t stand as we were expressing sympathy and support for the mother of the Ukrainian young woman who was brutally murdered on a train by an illegal immigrant,” Johnson told the outlet.
CNN’s Jake Tapper pointed out that the victim was killed by a U.S. citizen, not an illegal immigrant.
“There are so many others,” Johnson shot back. “So many, many others that the news media never focused on.”
Gavin Newsom pokes fun at Trump after his speech to Congress
23:45 , Brendan RasciusCalifornia Gov. Gavin Newsom poked fun at President Donald Trump following his State of the Union address, joking that the billionaire president has new merchandise on sale.
“WOW. STOPPED BY AFTER DON’S ‘BIG’ SPEECH,” Newsom wrote on X on Wednesday, alongside a photo of Trump Tower.
“TRUMP ‘SIGNATURE’ KNEE PADS. NOW IN TRUMP TOWER NYC!!” he wrote.
WOW. STOPPED BY AFTER DON’S “BIG” SPEECH.
— Gavin Newsom (@GavinNewsom) February 25, 2026
TRUMP “SIGNATURE” KNEE PADS. NOW IN TRUMP TOWER NYC!! pic.twitter.com/kns5uRnBaQ
Hakeem Jeffries defends Democrat who was ejected from State of the Union
23:30 , Brendan RasciusHouse Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries defended Texas Rep. Al Green after he was ejected from the State of the Union last night while holding a sign that read: “Black people aren’t apes.”
Jeffries described Green’s protest as “appropriate and restrained at the same period of time,” according to CNN.
“His message that he communicated was obviously on point,” he added. “But it was far less profane than my reaction to the very same racist video that Donald Trump felt compelled to produce,” referring to a video posted on Trump’s Truth Social account depicting the Obamas as apes.
Riley Gaines says Democrats' reaction to hockey players was not 'surprising'
23:10 , Brendan RasciusRiley Gaines, a conservative activist and former college swimmer, said she was not shocked when Democrats refused to stand for the U.S. men’s hockey team at the State of the Union address last night.
“I don’t think it was surprising that they wouldn’t stand for athletes who wore our flag and brought home gold,” she told Fox News on Wednesday.
She added that Democrats were “unwilling to stand up for pretty simple things, like the parents of a murdered child.”
Schumer highlights his SOTU guests, and claims all have been negatively impacted by Trump
22:55 , Brendan RasciusSenate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer highlighted his State of the Union guests — all of whom have been negatively impacted by President Trump, he said.
“Trump's first year in office has been a disaster—and every single one of my State of the Union guests have been hurt by his radical and dangerous policies,” the New York Democrat wrote on X on Wednesday.
He posted a video showcasing the personal stories of his guests. Among them were a Jeffrey Epstein survivor, a woman whose son was detained by ICE and a small business owner struggling with layoffs caused by tariffs.
Trump's first year in office has been a disaster—and every single one of my State of the Union guests have been hurt by his radical and dangerous policies.
— Chuck Schumer (@SenSchumer) February 25, 2026
It's important everyone hear these stories. pic.twitter.com/ARsTWM2n0B
John Fetterman says he disagrees with colleagues heckling Trump during address
22:42 , Brendan RasciusSen. John Fetterman said he does not approve of Reps. Ilhan Omar and Rashida Tlaib’s decision to heckle President Trump at the State of the Union last night.
“I just disagree with that,” he told CNN on Wednesday. “I think something's lost if that becomes the new normal.”
When asked by CNN correspondent Kasie Hunt if Trump was responsible for “that new normal,” the Pennsylvania Democrat responded: “We’re all part of it.”
Ilhan Omar says her SOTU guest was ‘forcibly removed’ and arrested
22:25 , Brendan RasciusRep. Ilhan Omar said that her guest at the State of the Union address last night was “forcibly removed” from the event and arrested.
In a post on X on Wednesday, the Minnesota Democrat wrote that her guest, Aliya Rahman, “stood up silently in the gallery during the president’s speech for a short period of time, part of which other guests were also standing.”
She said reports indicate that Rahman was “aggressively handled” before being taken to a local hospital for treatment. After that, she was “booked” by the U.S. Capitol Police.
“The heavy-handed response to a peaceful guest sends a chilling message about the state of our democracy,” Omar continued. “I am calling for a full explanation of why this arrest occurred.”
Omar, a fierce critic of Trump, heckled the president during his speech, shouting “You’re killing Americans” as he spoke about his immigration crackdown.
Watch: Stephen Colbert shreds top Democrat Hakeem Jeffries for ‘silent’ protest at State of the Union
22:00 , Mike Bedigan'Ramblings of a wannabe dictator,’ Illinois governor says of SOTU
21:45 , Mike BediganIllinois Gov. JB Pritzker, a Democrat who clashed with Trump over his deployment of federal agents in his state, called Trump’s State of the Union address “two hours of baseless claims, shameless propaganda, and the ramblings of a wannabe dictator
“After spending the last year wreaking havoc on American communities, Donald Trump once again spewed lies and attempted to gaslight the American people,” Pritzker said in a statement.
The Democratic governor criticized Trump for boasting about his “illegal” tariffs while providing “no concrete plans” to lower everyday costs for Americans.
“He did, however, find time to promise more tax breaks for the wealthy – another embarrassing display of how deeply out of touch this administration is with the needs of working families,” Pritzker said.
Fox News hosts warn Trump what not to say during his State of the Union speech
21:30 , Mike BediganFox News’ Brian Kilmeade and Harold Ford Jr. urged the president to avoid harping on the conservative-leaning high court’s Friday ruling, which determined that his sweeping tariffs on both enemies and allies were unlawfully imposed under the 1977 International Emergency Economic Powers Act.
Read more from Rachel Dobkin:
Fox News hosts warn Trump what not to say during his State of the Union speech
Republican lawmaker admits Trump’s speech was ‘divisive at times’
21:15 , Mike BediganRepublican Rep. Don Bacon, who has broken from Trump on certain policies, said he wished the president had given a more “unifying” address Tuesday evening.
“I think it was a little bit divisive at times,” Bacon told CNN after the State of the Union address.
“Bottom line is, I wish it was more unifying. I wish – we are the best country in the world we live in, hate to see this polarization. And it was there tonight, in parts of the speech, like in the middle, it was there.”
Bacon said he largely approved of Trump’s speech, praising the president’s commitment to affordability, but did not want Trump to engage in a fight.
“He looks for a fight. I just wish we could get above that. Our country needs to have some, you know, go back to decency and just a little bit of tolerance,” Bacon added.
Democrat expelled from Trump's State of the Union speaks out
21:03 , Brendan RasciusCongressman Al Green has publicly addressed his removal from President Trump’s State of the Union address last night.
The Texas Democrat was escorted out of the House chamber only minutes into the speech while displaying a sign that read: “Black People Aren’t Apes” — an apparent reference to a video shared on Trump’s Truth Social account.
“I flashed that for the president to see,” Green said on the House floor on Wednesday. “It appears that he got the message but did not want to embrace the message.”
He said it was his “means of silently protesting” and noted that other members displayed anti-Trump signage on their clothing.
“My colleagues became rather disturbed” by his sign, he said, and accused them of shredding it before forcing him out of the chamber.
It’s the second time this has happened to the Texas congressman. During Trump’s joint address to Congress last year, Green was expelled after he stood up and shouted “You have no mandate.” The House later voted to censure him.
Rep. Green Explicates His Actions During the SOTU Address, Condemns Pres. Trump's Invidious Racism
— U.S. Representative Al Green (@RepAlGreen) February 25, 2026
You can access Rep. Green’s speech on his official YouTube channel by clicking here:https://t.co/TVipICc9hC
Fact-checking Trump’s mail-in ballot claims at the State of the Union
21:00 , Mike BediganAnalysis: I watched Trump gloat about his ‘bigger, better, richer and stronger’ America as Democrats fled the room. We needed them to stay
20:45 , Mike BediganVoters simply do not believe Trump’s argument that things are getting better.
But, writes Eric Garcia from his perch in the House of Representatives for it all, too many Democrats ceded the argument by bailing on the State of the Union.
Read his full analysis here:
I watched Trump gloat about his America as Democrats fled. We needed them to stay
Watch: Trump calls for schools to ban trans youth from social transitioning in SOTU
20:31 , Mike BediganNewsom mocks Trump for messy hair at State of the Union: ‘You need some of my hair gel!!!’
20:15 , Mike BediganCalifornia Gov. Gavin Newsom made fun of President Donald Trump’s hair during his State of the Union address Tuesday night as the Democrat posted his live reactions online.
As Trump gave the longest-ever State of the Union address in history, clocking in at 1 hour and 47 minutes, a few strands of his hair appeared out of place.
Newsom, who has a notable slick-backed hairstyle, wrote: “Oh no, Donald. You need some of my hair gel!!!”
Read the full story here:
Newsom mocks Trump’s hair at State of the Union: ‘You need some of my hair gel!!!’
Pam Bondi calls Trump's SOTU address 'epic'
20:00 , Mike BediganAttorney General Pam Bondi described Donald Trump’s State of the Union address as “epic.”
Responding to a clip of the president boasting about a decline in crime and illicit drugs, Bondi wrote on X: “There is no policy outcome more important than saving American lives.
“Thank you, @POTUS, for protecting our people — and congratulations on an absolutely epic, historic State of the Union address.”
In his address, which lasted an hour and 48 minutes, Trump did not once mention the Epstein files, an issue which has plagued his second term so far and Bondi specifically has come under fire for.
There is no policy outcome more important than saving American lives. Thank you, @POTUS, for protecting our people — and congratulations on an absolutely epic, historic State of the Union address. https://t.co/Qt6kffCPZP
— Attorney General Pamela Bondi (@AGPamBondi) February 25, 2026
In pictures: Rashida Tlaib and Ilhan Omar heckle Trump during SOTU
19:45 , Mike Bedigan.jpeg)
Say it ain't Joe! Trump echoes 2024 Biden in his State of the Union economic message
19:30 , Mike BediganPadilla blasts 'out of control' immigration efforts in Spanish language rebuttal to SOTU
19:15 , Mike BediganSenator Alex Padilla blasted the Trump administration’s “out of control” immigration crackdown, in his Spanish language-rebuttal to Tuesday’s State of the Union address.
“We just heard Donald Trump do what he does best: lie. He lies about the economy. He lies about his violent and out-of-control enforcement of immigration laws,” the California Democrat said.
“And he’s trying to deceive us about his plans to interfere with the elections this November. The truth is that the State of our Union does not feel strong for everyone.
“And definitely not when federal agents — armed and masked — terrorize our communities by targeting people because of the color of their skin or for speaking Spanish — including immigrants with legal status and citizens.”
Padilla made headlines last year after he was forcibly removed from a press conference being held by Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem after he pushed her on ICE operations in Los Angeles.
Trump's SOTU address: Full fact check by The Independent
19:00 , Mike BediganThe Independent has fact‑checked Donald Trump’s State of the Union statements in certain areas and compared them with available data, revealing – in many instances – a more nuanced picture than the speech suggested.
Read the full analysis here:
Fact-checking Trump’s claims in his State of the Union address
Zohran Mamdani thanks Trump for SOTU shout out
18:45 , Mike BediganNew York Mayor Zohran Mamdani thanked Donald Trump after the president inadvertently gave his volunteer snow shoveling program a shout out during the State of the Union address.
The president referred to Mamdani as “the new communist mayor of New York City” but also “a nice guy, actually” and praised the snow shoveling program over the need for volunteers to show two forms of original ID – something he has pushed for for national voting.
"I'd like to say, 'Thank you,'" Mamdani told reporters Wednesday, when asked about Trump’s remarks avout him.
He added that 1,400 New Yorkers signed up for snow removal jobs on Tuesday alone, the day Trump jabbed at him.
The volunteers have so far helped to clear more than 16,000 crosswalks, more than 4,000 hydrants, and more than 7,000 bus stops, Mamdani said.
Trump hits out at 'Low IQ' Rashida Tlaib and Ilhan Omar over 'uncontrollable screaming'
18:30 , Mike BediganDonald Trump hit out at Democratic Reps. Rashida Tlaib and Ilhan Omar over their “uncontrollable screaming” during his State of the Union address Tuesday, describing them as “LUNATICS.”
“When you watch Low IQ Ilhan Omar and Rashida Tlaib, as they screamed uncontrollably last night at the very elegant State of the Union, such an important and beautiful event, they had the bulging, bloodshot eyes of crazy people, LUNATICS, mentally deranged and sick who, frankly, look like they should be institutionalized,” the president wrote on Truth Social.
“When people can behave like that, and knowing that they are Crooked and Corrupt Politicians, so bad for our Country, we should send them back from where they came — as fast as possible. They can only damage the United States of America, they can do nothing to help it.”
In his post Trump also suggested Tlaib and Omar “get on a boat with Trump Deranged Robert De Niro,” before going off on a tangential rant about the Hollywood star and Rosie O’Donnell.
Mike Johnson came 'this close' to ejecting Ilhan Omar and Rashida Tlaib from SOTU
18:13 , Mike BediganHouse Speaker Mike Johnson says he came “this close” to ejecting Democrat congresswomen Ilhan Omar and Rashida Tlaib during Donald Trump’s State of the Union address, following their verbal protests.
Omar shouted multiple times that Trump had “killed Americans” after the president singled Democrats out for not standing to applaud his efforts on immigration enforcement.
Speaking to Fox News’ Sean Hannity, Johnson said the remarks were “shameful.”
“I came this close to stopping them. We could have probably ejected them from the floor. I thought, let their actions speak for themselves,” he said. “If they’d gone a step further, I probably would have ejected them.”
Fact check: Donald Trump's SOTU statements on immigration
18:05 , Mike BediganThe Independent has fact‑checked Donald Trump’s State of the Union statements in certain areas and compared them with available data, revealing a more nuanced picture than the speech suggested.
Immigration
"After four years, in which millions and millions of illegal aliens poured across our borders totally unvetted and unchecked, we now have the strongest and most secure border in American history by far. In the past nine months, zero illegal aliens have been admitted to the United States."
This is exaggerated.
President Trump is correct that a record number of migrants – in the millions – crossed the border illegally during the Biden administration, though many were detained and later released with court dates.
His administration's crackdown on border crossings has since driven those figures down to levels not seen in decades. However, claiming that "zero" people have illegally crossed into the U.S. in the last nine months is extremely unlikely.
Fact check: Donald Trump's SOTU statements on crime
18:00 , Mike BediganThe Independent has fact‑checked Donald Trump’s State of the Union statements in certain areas and compared them with available data, revealing a more nuanced picture than the speech suggested.
On crime:
"Last year, the murder rate saw its single largest decline in recorded history," Trump said. "This is the biggest decline, think of it, in recorded history. The lowest number in over 125 years."
This is true.
America is getting safer. Data collected from 35 American cities showed a 21 per cent decrease in the homicide rate from 2024 to 2025, translating to about 922 fewer homicides last year, according to a January report from the independent Council on Criminal Justice.
The report indicated that the 2025 homicide rate is projected to fall to roughly 4 deaths per 100,000 people – lower than any level previously recorded in law enforcement or public health data going back to 1900.
FBI annual reports also show that killings have been decreasing steadily since 2022.
Fact check: Donald Trump's SOTU statements on ending eight wars
17:55 , Mike BediganThe Independent has fact‑checked Donald Trump’s State of the Union statements in certain areas and compared them with available data, revealing a more nuanced picture than the speech suggested.
On the ending of eight wars:
"Our country has never been stronger. My first 10 months I ended eight wars, including Cambodia. Isn’t it funny?" the president said.
This is misleading.
The State of the Union address was not the first time Trump has made this claim; he previously declared that he deserves the Nobel Peace Prize for his involvement in eight international conflicts since assuming office.
However, many of these disputes persist without resolution, and hostilities have reignited in several of the regions he engaged with.
Foreign policy experts have said the president's claims overstate his record and role in ending armed conflicts.
Fact check: Donald Trump's SOTU statements on tariffs
17:50 , Mike BediganThe Independent has fact‑checked Donald Trump’s State of the Union statements in certain areas and compared them with available data, revealing a more nuanced picture than the speech suggested.
On tariffs:
"I believe the tariffs, paid for by foreign countries, will, like in the past, substantially replace the modern-day system of income tax, taking a great financial burden off the people that I love," the president said.
This is misleading.
Tariffs are taxes on imported goods. Companies importing foreign goods pay the tax to the government, and many pass some or all of that cost on to customers – including American consumers and other U.S. businesses. Some firms may also choose to reduce their imports.
Democrats on the Joint Economic Committee estimated that President Trump’s tariffs cost American families about $1,700 each between February 2025 and January 2026.
Fact check: Donald Trump's SOTU statements on inflation
17:45 , Mike BediganThe Independent has fact‑checked Donald Trump’s State of the Union statements in certain areas and compared them with available data, revealing a more nuanced picture than the speech suggested.
On Investment:
"In 12 months, I secured commitments for more than $18 trillion, pouring in from all over the globe,” Trump said.
"Think of it. Much less than $1 trillion for four years versus much more than $18 trillion for one year. What a difference a president makes."
This is incorrect information.
While investment has surged, even according to the U.S. government's official records, the figure is around half what Trump claimed on Tuesday night.
The White House website states that U.S. and foreign investments total $9.7 trillion, "made possible by President Trump's leadership." However, this definition is overstated, as investment has steadily recovered since the pandemic, and the figure also includes investments spurred by the Joe Biden administration.
Fact check: Donald Trump's SOTU statements on inflation
17:40 , Mike BediganThe Independent has fact‑checked Donald Trump’s State of the Union statements in certain areas and compared them with available data, revealing a more nuanced picture than the speech suggested.
On inflation:
"The roaring economy is roaring like never before," the president said, adding: “My administration has driven core inflation down to the lowest level in more than five years.”
This is almost correct.
Core inflation – which excludes the more volatile food and energy categories – rose 2.5 per cent in January compared with a year earlier. That’s the lowest rate since March 2021, making it almost five years ago, not "more than five years.”
Stephen Colbert shreds top Democrat Hakeem Jeffries for ‘silent’ protest at State of the Union
17:30 , Mike BediganStephen Colbert lashed out at top Democrat Hakeem Jeffries for urging his party to have a “silent” protest and avoid disrupting the State of the Union address, calling the move “a bold rebrand of doing jack squat.”
The Late Show host mocked the House minority leader’s encouragement for Democrats to either attend President Donald Trump’s address Tuesday night “in silent defiance” or to go to a counter event, but not to bail entirely or “make a scene” if they did attend.
“We’re not going to Donald Trump’s house,” Jeffries said last week. “He’s coming to our house. It’s my view that you don’t let anyone, ever, run you off of your block.”
Read more from Isabel Keane here:
Stephen Colbert shreds Democrats for ‘silent’ protest at State of the Union
John Fetterman says fellow Democrats decision to boycott SOTU is 'disappointing'
17:15 , Mike BediganSenator John Fetterman said that the choice by some of his Democratic colleagues not to attend Donald Trump’s State of the Union address Tuesday night was “disappointing.”
"It's just disappointing, honestly. I think that's sad that I think half of my colleagues didn't show up,” the Pennsylvania lawmaker told Fox News Wednesday.
“That’s not a judgement but for me ... I think show up. You don’t have to clap for everything, you don’t have to agree with anything. I think we’re in a different place where it’s now... people aren’t even going to show up?”
Ilhan Omar blasts Donald Trump for 'killing two of my constituents'
17:00 , Mike BediganMinnesota Rep. Ilhan Omar said that Donald trump should “be ashamed” after accusing him of killing “two of my constituents.”
During the president’s State of the Union address, Omar repeatedly called out “you have killed Americans,” in reference to the deaths caused by federal agents, including the high-profile cases of Renee Good and Alex Pretti in Minneapolis last month.
Her remarks came as Trump blasted the Democrats on hindering immigration enforcement efforts, including “blocking the removal of illegal criminal aliens.”
Donald Trump killed two of my constituents. He is a liar and should be ashamed of himself. pic.twitter.com/Y94PNI2XtQ
— Ilhan Omar (@IlhanMN) February 25, 2026
Newsom trolls Trump multiple times over 'state of the snooze' address
16:45 , Mike BediganCalifornia Governor Gavin Newsom was clearly somewhat bored by Donald Trump’s record-breakingly long speech Tuesday night, trolling the president multiple times over his “state of the snooze” address.
“WHAT AN AMAZING STATE OF THE SNOOZE! — GOVERNOR GCN,” Newsom’s office wrote on X, in a parody of Trump’s own all-caps social media posting.
The Governor also shared an altered image of the children’s story “Goodnight Moon,” which featured a smiling Trump in pajamas.
😴😴😴 pic.twitter.com/39HN7S3Alt
— Governor Newsom Press Office (@GovPressOffice) February 25, 2026
In other posts Newsom simply shared sleepy emojis, as well as alluding to the president’s alleged ties to Jeffrey Epstein (which Trump made no mention of in his speech).
“The State of the Epstein is strong!” Newsom wrote. Trump has not been charged with any criminal wrongdoing in connection with the disgraced financier.
The State of the Epstein is strong! pic.twitter.com/kmI3dbNYTo
— Governor Newsom Press Office (@GovPressOffice) February 25, 2026
Nancy Pelosi says Trump's address was 'lazy': 'What is the state of the nation?'
16:30 , Mike BediganFormer House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said that Donald Trump’s record-breaking State of the Union address Tuesday night was “lazy.”
“I thought the speech was lazy,” the Democratic heavyweight told CNN after the speech concluded.
“It’s one thing to acknowledge patriotism and people getting well and everything when you have absolutely nothing to do with their courage or the rest,” she continued. “But you spend an hour and a half doing it — what is the state of the nation?”
The president spoke for a whopping one hour and 48-minutes, the longest ever delivered.
Trump likened to 'Pinocchio' by Democratic Senator over lies in SOTU address
16:15 , Mike BediganDemocratic Senator Ed Markey likened Donald Trump to children’s character Pinocchio as he blasted the president’s State of the Union address as “one big lie.”
“If he was Pinocchio, his nose would stretch across the entire length of the floor of the Congress this evening,” Markey, of Massachusetts said, speaking shortly after Trump finished speaking Tuesday night.
“It's one big lie, a made for TV spectacle, a bogus sales pitch and a slap in the face of the millions of Americans who are living through their struggles.”
Markey: If he was Pinocchio, his nose would stretch across the entire length of the floor of the Congress this evening. It's one big lie, a made for TV spectacle, a bogus sales pitch and a slap in the face of the millions of Americans who are living through their struggles. pic.twitter.com/Yo9Wk4Ml66
— Acyn (@Acyn) February 25, 2026
Texas Congressman blasted for 'cringe' moment asking for Trump's autograph
16:00 , Mike BediganThough Donald Trump handed out several awards during his State of the Union address, the prize for most cringe-worthy moment went to Texas congressman Troy Nehls.
Nehls was caught on camera begging the president for an autograph for his tie, which bore a picture of Trump, sparking ridicule and mockery online.
“Initial it. Just an initial,” Nehls was heard asking the president in the clip posted on social media.
Watch the moment below:
Analysis: Trump’s State of the Union was such a hot mess that his own party doesn’t know what to do next
15:45 , Mike BediganAlthough there’s a lot of bluster about how this was the greatest speech ever, the truth is Trump gave fellow Republicans very little to work with — especially in a crucial midterm election year.
Read between the lines of the GOP reactions and it becomes clear the president is outliving his usefulness, writes Holly Baxter:
Trump’s SOTU speech was a hot mess. His own party has made that clear
Analysis: Democrat boycott of SOTU may hurt Trump
15:26 , Mike BediganThe Independent’s Washington D.C. Bureau Chief Eric Garcia was in the room last night as Democrats began to leave Trump’s State of The Union.
He writes:
By boycotting the speech, Democrats might have helped themselves, because Trump wound up hearing more cheers than jeers. That might further insulate him in his coccoon and prevent him from seeing the dissatisfaction Americans feel toward him.
The eager-to-please Speaker Mike Johnson’s unwillingness to oppose him might hurt him even more. When Trump said “congressional action will not be necessary” to continue his tariffs, Johnson told The Independent “it’s in the statute.”
All of that has put Trump into a lull and prevented him from seeing the actual threats to his political project. And he will be the last to know it.
Read his full analysis here:
I watched Trump gloat about his America as Democrats fled. We needed them to stay
Watch: Trump is ‘making your life harder’: Democrat Abigail Spanberger argues in State of the Union response
15:00 , Rachel Dobkin“We did not hear the truth from our president,” Spanberger said in her speech from Colonial Williamsburg, a history museum in Virginia on Tuesday night shortly, after Trump’s record-breaking long speech.
Fact-checking Trump’s claims about the economy and ‘eight wars’ in State of the Union address
14:25 , Joe SommerladDo the hyperbole-prone president's claims in last night’s speech stack up?
Here’s Harry Cockburn to take a closer look.
Fact-checking Trump’s claims in his State of the Union address
Democratic senator explains why he walked out
14:00 , Joe SommerladWriting on BlueSky, Virginia Democratic Sen. Mark Warner explained why he stormed out of the chamber last night:
“Walked out of the State of the Union because I couldn’t sit through hours of Trump’s lies. Americans know the truth: he’s spiking prices and wrecking our economy. We’re a better country than this.”
Watch: Republican lawmaker begs Trump to autograph his tie
13:30 , Joe SommerladThe Huffington Post is calling this the most cringeworthy moment of the night from Texas Rep. Troy Nehls and it is very hard to disagree.
Republican congressman begs Trump to sign his Trump themed tie:
— Headquarters (@HQNewsNow) February 25, 2026
"An initial. Just an initial." pic.twitter.com/cVy3RXiXZq
Supreme Court justices stone-faced in front row as Trump calls their tariff ruling ‘unfortunate’
13:00 , Joe SommerladHere’s Andrew Feinberg on the moment the judges representing the highest court in the land were rebuked by the president (again) for ruling last week that the emergency declaration behind his reciprocal tariffs program was unlawful.
Supreme Court justices stone-faced as Trump calls their tariff ruling ‘unfortunate’
Watch: Trump address branded ‘high-octane awards show’
12:45 , Joe SommerladThis was ABC correspondent Jonathan Karl’s take on last night’s speech:
@jonkarl weighs in on President Trump’s SOTU address and the key takeaways on his speech. pic.twitter.com/ypUkZynQF0
— Good Morning America (@GMA) February 25, 2026
Rachel Maddow calls out Trump for ‘violent pornographic riffing’ in speech
12:30 , Joe SommerladThe MS NOW host reacted to the State of the Union by accusing the president of “luxuriating” in the gory details of some of the atrocities he alluded to, also saying that, in her opinion, his demeanour had been “wound up and weird” throughout.
Maddow argued that Trump had been less invested in the economic “lies” he was offering than in peddling a “sort of violence porn.”
She continued:
“He talked about people being covered in blood, gushing blood, blood pouring out of things. He talked about people being on the edge of death. He went into graphic detail on a number of different people’s injuries of a various kind. And in those moments he slowed down, ad libbed a lot, and tried to give seemingly as much sort of gory detail as he could, talking about very bloody scenes.
“He also, I should mention, in talking in very stark detail about a terrible attack on a Ukrainian woman in North Carolina, ad libbed that the woman that the person who had attacked her had gotten into this country because of open borders, which was not at all true. That woman was not attacked by somebody who had come from outside this country.
“But that was the sort of, again, sort of violently pornographic riffing that the president did very slowly throughout the back half of his speech, which made it go on for the longest period any state of the union address has ever gone on before. There were very few actual proposals that were announced.”
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Watch: Spanberger accuses Trump of ‘unprecedented corruption’ in Democratic rebuttal
12:33 , Joe SommerladThe Virginia governor offered some scorching criticism of the president in her official response, accusing him of being more interested in personal enrichment than leadership.
The scale of this President's corruption is unprecedented.
— Governor Abigail Spanberger (@GovernorVA) February 25, 2026
The cover-up of the Epstein files. Crypto scams. Cozying up to billionaires for ballrooms.
It's crystal clear: the President is working for himself — not the American people. pic.twitter.com/lW0oF57fd0
Trump pays tribute to ‘wonderful’ Erika Kirk during speech
12:00 , Joe SommerladThe president called for an end to political violence during last night’s address as he remembered Charlie Kirk, the Turning Point USA co-founder who was shot dead on a Utah university campus last September.
He called on the late activist’s widow Erika Kirk to stand for a rare round of bipartisan applause and said:
“Charlie was violently murdered by an assassin and martyred, really, martyred for his beliefs.
“In Charlie’s memory, we must all come together to reaffirm that America is one nation under God and we must totally reject political violence of any kind.
“There’s been a tremendous renewal in religion, faith, Christianity and belief in God. This is especially true among young people, and a big part of that had to do with my great friend Charlie Kirk. Great guy.
“We love religion and we love bringing it back and it’s coming back at levels nobody thought possible. Really beautiful thing to see.”
Erika Kirk was visibly moved by the gesture, which came at the end of a day in which far-right conspiracy theorist Candace Owens had announced she had produced a new “investigative” web series discussing claims that the widow had played a part in her husband’s assassination.
Watch: Trump tells US men’s hockey goalie he’s receiving Presidential Medal of Freedom
11:30 , Kevin E G PerryPresident Donald Trump used his State of the Union address on Tuesday to announce that he will present Connor Hellebuyck, goaltender for the Olympic gold medal-winning U.S. men’s hockey team, with the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
Speaker Johnson hits out at Democrats over ‘antics’ in chamber
11:00 , Joe SommerladThe House speaker told reporters after the address that he believed Trump had handled the adverse reaction he received from opposition lawmakers “very well” and said the censuring of Texas Rep. Al Green, who was removed for holding up a placard accusing the president of racism, was appropriate.
He stopped short of calling for further disciplinary action, however, saying censure was “shame” enough.
Trump allies criticize Democrats for not standing up during immigration rant
10:30 , Ariana BaioVice President JD Vance and other Trump administration officials criticized Democrats for not standing up during the president’s State of the Union address when he asked for lawmakers to show their support in protecting U.S. citizens.
“One of the most profound moments of a truly historic speech. While some in Washington prioritize the needs of illegal immigrants, President Trump and this administration will always put American citizens first,” Vance said.
Democrats refused to stand during the moment when Trump was railing and boasting about his administration’s crackdown on undocumented immigrants, who the president has often blamed for violent crimes.
“You should be ashamed of yourself for not standing up,” Trump told Democrats.
White House Communications Director Steven Cheung even accused Democrats of “co-signing” murder.
Democrats are co-signing this cold-blooded murder. https://t.co/s9d264ScTo
— Steven Cheung (@StevenCheung47) February 25, 2026
Republican lawmaker admits Trump’s speech was ‘divisive at times’
10:00 , Ariana BaioRepublican Rep. Don Bacon, who has broken from Trump on certain policies, said he wished the president had given a more “unifying” address Tuesday evening.
“I think it was a little bit divisive at times,” Bacon told CNN after the State of the Union address.
“Bottom line is, I wish it was more unifying. I wish – we are the best country in the world we live in, hate to see this polarization. And it was there tonight, in parts of the speech, like in the middle, it was there.”
Bacon said he largely approved of Trump’s speech, praising the president’s commitment to affordability, but did not want Trump to engage in a fight.
“He looks for a fight. I just wish we could get above that. Our country needs to have some, you know, go back to decency and just a little bit of tolerance,” Bacon added.
The President highlighted several real accomplishments that are strengthening our economy and improving the lives of the American people. The border is secure, violent crime is declining, fentanyl deaths are falling, gas prices are down, and wages are rising faster than inflation…
— Rep. Don Bacon 🇺🇸✈️🏍️⭐️🎖️ (@RepDonBacon) February 25, 2026
Analysis: Trump offers Americans thin gruel as he turns longest-ever State of the Union into awards show
09:40 , Ariana BaioOpening what became the longest-ever address to Congress by a president by claiming that the country is “bigger, better, richer and stronger than ever before” after his first year back in the White House, Trump bragged of having achieved “a transformation like no one has ever seen before and a turnaround for the ages” as he claimed to have solved all of the problems that led voters to return him to power.
Here’s Andrew Feinberg’s take on the State of the Union.
Trump offers Americans thin gruel as he turns longest-ever SOTU into awards show
‘Didn’t mention Epstein once:’ Americans react to Trump’s record-breaking State of the Union
09:20 , Joe SommerladHere’s Brendan Rascius on the sharply divided response from lawmakers in the House chamber and the broader public to the president’s big speech.
‘Didn’t mention Epstein once’: Americans react to Trump’s State of the Union
Trump quips this ‘should be my third term’ during State of the Union
09:00 , Brendan RasciusDuring his State of the Union address on Tuesday evening, Trump quipped that he should be in the midst of his third term.
“First year of the second term... it should be my third term,” the 79-year-old Republican president told the lawmakers, Cabinet officials and Supreme Court justices gathered in the House chamber.
“But, strange things happen,” he added, eliciting some applause from the audience.
It’s just the latest incidence of Trump insinuating, without evidence, that the 2020 election – which he lost to former President Joe Biden – was “stolen” from him.
Since returning to office last year, the president has also repeatedly toyed with the idea of running for a third term, despite the 22nd Amendment of the Constitution barring presidents from serving more than two terms.
Analysis: Trump leaves both Democrats and Republicans feeling short-changed by address: ‘More low IQ than in term one’
08:40 , Joe SommerladThe president played the showman at his State of the Union but gave average Americans little reason to back the GOP brand as some Republicans believe his foreign-heavy focus still leaves “America First” behind, writes John Bowden.
Trump leaves Democrats and Republicans feeling short-changed by State of the Union
