In record State of the Union, Trump spars with Dems, touts economy and immigration

The speech was a chance for Trump to make his case ahead of the midterms.

ByAlexandra Hutzler, Ivan Pereira, and Meredith Deliso
Last Updated: February 24, 2026, 11:57 PM EST

President Donald Trump delivered his State of the Union Tuesday night in Washington, as a majority of Americans disapprove of how he is handling inflation, tariffs, relations with other countries, immigration and the economy, according to an ABC News/Washington Post/Ipsos poll.

For Trump, the speech was a chance to make the case directly to millions of Americans ahead of November's midterm elections where control of Congress is at stake. Dozens of Democrats, meanwhile, skipped the speech in protest.

Key Headlines

Here's how the news developed:
Feb 24, 2026, 9:56 PM EST

Rep. Al Green escorted from chamber after holding up sign

Earlier in the evening, as Trump made his way down the chamber, Democrat Rep. Al Green of Texas held up a paper sheet that read, “BLACK PEOPLE AREN’T APES.”

Rep. Al Green, a democrat from Texas, holds a sign reading "Black People Aren't Apes" as he is escorted out during US President Donald Trump's State of the Union address in the House Chamber of the US Capitol in Washington, Feb. 24, 2026.
Brendan Smialowski/AFP via Getty Images

The sign referenced a clip in a video Trump shared on social media that depicted President Barack Obama and Michelle Obama as apes for a few seconds. The video was taken down hours later and the White House said a staffer made the post.

Rep. Al Green holds a sign as President Donald Trump delivers the State of the Union address to a joint session of Congress at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, February 24, 2026.
Evelyn Hockstein/Reuters

Green was escorted out of the chamber while holding the sign minutes into the speech.

He was escorted out during last year's speech after he called out the president.

Feb 24, 2026, 9:16 PM EST

Trump now speaking: 'Our nation is back'

President Trump started off his address saying, "Our nation is back, bigger, better, richer and stronger than ever before."

"After just one year, I can say with dignity and pride that we have achieved a transformation like no one has ever seen before, and a turnaround for the ages. It is indeed a turnaround for the ages," Trump said.

President Donald Trump delivers the State of the Union address in the House Chamber of the US Capitol in Washington, February 24, 2026.
Kevin Lamarque/Reuters
Feb 24, 2026, 9:09 PM EST

Trump enters House chamber

President Trump entered the House chamber just after 9 p.m. to boisterous applause. He is shaking hands with lawmakers as he makes his way to the dais. This is Trump's first State of the Union address of his second term.

Feb 24, 2026, 9:07 PM EST

Cabinet members make their way to chamber

A who's who of members of the president's Cabinet made their way into the chamber before the president's address, including Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent.

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