WASHINGTON, D.C. — (BrooklandNews.com) — Feb. 24, 2026 — President Donald Trump delivered a nearly two‑and‑a‑half‑hour State of the Union address Tuesday night, using his first such speech of the 2026 session to tout economic gains, immigration enforcement and trade priorities while setting the stage for the midterm elections.

Trump framed the nation’s trajectory in historic terms, saying “This is the golden age of America” and asserting that his policies have produced a “turnaround for the ages.” He pointed to economic indicators, including what he described as a surge in retirement accounts and stock market performance, telling Congress that the market had posted “53 all‑time record highs” since his re‑election. He also claimed “zero illegal aliens have been admitted to the United States in the past nine months” and said fentanyl seizures were down sharply at the border.

Trump used the platform to preview policy proposals, including expanding border enforcement and outlining retirement savings incentives, while also addressing national security and immigration. He criticized his political opponents and hit familiar themes on crime and foreign policy.

Yet his optimistic economic framing met sharp resistance from Democrats. Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger, delivering the official Democratic response, rejected the president’s portrayal of prosperity, arguing that “Americans across the country face high costs, chaos in their communities, and a real fear of what each day might bring” and challenging Trump on rising living expenses.

Many Democratic lawmakers also signaled their disapproval during the address itself. Some remained seated without applauding, while others walked out early or took part in counter‑programming. One group of more than two dozen lawmakers attended a separate “People’s State of the Union” rally on the National Mall earlier in the evening to underscore their grievances with immigration enforcement and other policies.

The partisan divide inside the House chamber widened moments after Trump began speaking. Representative Al Green, a Texas Democrat known for his outspoken criticism of the president, stood with a sign reading “Black people aren’t apes” — a direct reference to a controversial video Trump had shared earlier in the month depicting former President Barack Obama and former first lady Michelle Obama in a racist manner. House security removed Green from the chamber within minutes of the speech’s start, marking the second consecutive year he was ejected during a Trump address.

Republican lawmakers responded with applause to many of Trump’s assertions, particularly on border security and economic policy. Some stood to cheer his proposals and punctuated his remarks with frequent ovations. Democrats, by contrast, largely maintained a stony silence or voiced dissent from outside the chamber.

The division underscored deep political division as the nation heads into a crucial midterm election year, with competing narratives on the economy, immigration and national priorities defining each party’s approach.