Trump state of the union addresses economy, immigration and sets stage for contentious midterm election battles amid mounting nationwide tensions
TOI GLOBAL DESK | Feb 23, 2026, 21:07 IST
Trump
In a pivotal moment for his administration, President Donald Trump presents his State of the Union address, setting the stage for the Republican campaign narrative ahead of the impending elections. Amidst falling trust in his governance, highlighted by the latest polls, a recent Supreme Court decision has curtailed his authority on tariffs.
President Donald Trump is set to deliver his State of the Union address, which is expected to serve as a preview of the Republican message for upcoming midterm elections. The address comes as polls indicate public distrust in Trump's handling of the government and following a Supreme Court ruling that limited his tariff powers. Trump is anticipated to focus on domestic issues, though his stance on Iran may cast a shadow. The speech will likely highlight his administration's approach to the economy, immigration, and foreign policy, while also reflecting his unique style of delivering such addresses and the potential reactions from lawmakers.
The State of the Union address on Tuesday is anticipated to be a test run for the Republican message to voters in the upcoming elections for control of the House and the Senate. This comes at a time when polls show much of America distrusts how Trump has managed the government in his first year back in office. The Supreme Court last week struck down one of the chief levers of his economic and foreign policy by ruling he lacked the power to impose many of his sweeping tariffs. Though Trump is expected to focus on domestic issues, his intensifying threats about launching military strikes on Iran over its nuclear program cast a shadow over the proceedings.
Economy and immigration, once strengths for Trump, are now areas where public sentiment has turned against him. Only 39% of U.S. adults approve of his handling of the economy, and just 38% support him on immigration, according to the latest Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research survey. These low numbers suggest the country remains concerned about the costs of groceries and utilities, a problem compounded by Trump’s policies. They also indicate public disturbance over videos of immigration enforcement, including the deaths of two U.S. citizens killed by federal agents.
Since his party passed a tax cut last year, Trump has yet to unveil major new policy ideas on the economy. Recent speeches have largely reiterated his tax cuts, plans to reduce mortgage rates, and a new government website for job seekers. The Supreme Court ruling against many of Trump’s far-reaching global tariffs on Friday, and the president’s vow to use other means to continue import taxes, will likely prolong economic turmoil over trade and prices.
“I think it makes it even more important that the speech really focus on the economy,” said Alex Conant, a Republican strategist. Conant added that between the tariff ruling and a Commerce Department report showing U.S. economic growth slowed in the final three months of last year, “the president needs to bolster his economic message.”
The administration is attempting to argue that despite Trump’s global trade rewiring and tax cuts, the economy is struggling because of choices made in 2021 and 2022 by his Democratic predecessor Joe Biden. However, Trump is also seeking credit for positive economic signs, such as recent stock market gains.
“Watch the State of the Union. We’re going to be talking about the economy. We inherited a mess,” Trump said at the White House on Wednesday. Trump made a similar argument in his last year, invoking Biden’s name 13 times.
Trump’s focus on foreign policy has yet to resonate politically. Despite his “America First” approach, his aggressive actions abroad over the past year have raised questions about whether he should spend more time focusing on voters at home. Trump, who has made it clear he intends to run again, is likely to use the speech to remind Americans of his attempts to broker peace accords in global conflicts. However, his administration has launched strikes in Yemen, Nigeria, and Iran, along with an ongoing campaign of lethal drone strikes near South America. Trump also conducted a surprise raid in January to capture Venezuela’s then-leader, Nicolás Maduro, and floated the idea of using force to seize oil fields. In recent weeks, as he has prepared for the speech, Trump has bolstered the U.S. military’s presence in the Middle East. He has yet to clearly articulate to voters what his actions overseas mean for their lives. He might even minimize foreign policy in his State of the Union despite his belief that it has been a major success.
“For as much as foreign policy has dominated his last year in office, this speech will mostly focus on the economy,” Conant predicted. Vice President JD Vance offered a similar prediction, stating that in the speech, “you’re going to hear a lot about the importance of bringing jobs back into our country, of reshoring manufacturing, of all these great factories that are being built.” He also said Trump would speak about lowering energy costs.
The State of the Union, which traditionally recapped accomplishments and sought to unite the country, increasingly reflects societal divisions. “What you’re going to expect is some version of a campaign speech in which the Democrats are the villains, the Republicans he likes are the heroes, and he is the savior not only of the nation but of the globe,” said Kathleen Hall Jamieson, a communications professor at the University of Pennsylvania. Trump supporters may recall the moment in 2020 when the president awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom to Rush Limbaugh, the conservative radio host and author who died in 2021. This action alienated Democrats who viewed Limbaugh as a destructive figure in political media.
The reaction within the House chamber could be as significant as Trump’s words. When Trump delivered his 2020 State of the Union, then-House Speaker Nancy Pelosi tore up her copy of his speech afterward, overshadowing much of what Trump said. House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries has indicated that a strong, determined, and dignified Democratic presence in the chamber is important, suggesting some members might choose not to attend in protest. There is also the possibility of Democrats interrupting Trump, as Rep. Al Green, D-Texas, did in 2025, leading to Trump being momentarily silenced. If Trump elaborates on his use of federal law to continue his tariffs, Conant noted it will be interesting to see the lawmakers' reaction. “I think that any House Republicans that don’t applaud his tariffs are going to be featured prominently on the telecast,” he said.
State of the Union addresses generally have short shelf lives. While some presidential phrases endure, much of the rhetoric is forgettable. With Trump, known for his unscripted remarks, a stray comment or a social media post could potentially overshadow his message. Matt Latimer, a former Republican speechwriter, commented that people hear the president speak frequently, diminishing the State of the Union's impact. A State of the Union, he noted, “only matters in moments when the country is undergoing a great trauma — a war, an attack, a global crisis — and a president and Congress want to speak in a (mostly) united voice to the country. That’s not what we are experiencing now.”
The State of the Union address on Tuesday is anticipated to be a test run for the Republican message to voters in the upcoming elections for control of the House and the Senate. This comes at a time when polls show much of America distrusts how Trump has managed the government in his first year back in office. The Supreme Court last week struck down one of the chief levers of his economic and foreign policy by ruling he lacked the power to impose many of his sweeping tariffs. Though Trump is expected to focus on domestic issues, his intensifying threats about launching military strikes on Iran over its nuclear program cast a shadow over the proceedings.
Economy and immigration, once strengths for Trump, are now areas where public sentiment has turned against him. Only 39% of U.S. adults approve of his handling of the economy, and just 38% support him on immigration, according to the latest Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research survey. These low numbers suggest the country remains concerned about the costs of groceries and utilities, a problem compounded by Trump’s policies. They also indicate public disturbance over videos of immigration enforcement, including the deaths of two U.S. citizens killed by federal agents.
Since his party passed a tax cut last year, Trump has yet to unveil major new policy ideas on the economy. Recent speeches have largely reiterated his tax cuts, plans to reduce mortgage rates, and a new government website for job seekers. The Supreme Court ruling against many of Trump’s far-reaching global tariffs on Friday, and the president’s vow to use other means to continue import taxes, will likely prolong economic turmoil over trade and prices.
“I think it makes it even more important that the speech really focus on the economy,” said Alex Conant, a Republican strategist. Conant added that between the tariff ruling and a Commerce Department report showing U.S. economic growth slowed in the final three months of last year, “the president needs to bolster his economic message.”
The administration is attempting to argue that despite Trump’s global trade rewiring and tax cuts, the economy is struggling because of choices made in 2021 and 2022 by his Democratic predecessor Joe Biden. However, Trump is also seeking credit for positive economic signs, such as recent stock market gains.
“Watch the State of the Union. We’re going to be talking about the economy. We inherited a mess,” Trump said at the White House on Wednesday. Trump made a similar argument in his last year, invoking Biden’s name 13 times.
Trump’s focus on foreign policy has yet to resonate politically. Despite his “America First” approach, his aggressive actions abroad over the past year have raised questions about whether he should spend more time focusing on voters at home. Trump, who has made it clear he intends to run again, is likely to use the speech to remind Americans of his attempts to broker peace accords in global conflicts. However, his administration has launched strikes in Yemen, Nigeria, and Iran, along with an ongoing campaign of lethal drone strikes near South America. Trump also conducted a surprise raid in January to capture Venezuela’s then-leader, Nicolás Maduro, and floated the idea of using force to seize oil fields. In recent weeks, as he has prepared for the speech, Trump has bolstered the U.S. military’s presence in the Middle East. He has yet to clearly articulate to voters what his actions overseas mean for their lives. He might even minimize foreign policy in his State of the Union despite his belief that it has been a major success.
“For as much as foreign policy has dominated his last year in office, this speech will mostly focus on the economy,” Conant predicted. Vice President JD Vance offered a similar prediction, stating that in the speech, “you’re going to hear a lot about the importance of bringing jobs back into our country, of reshoring manufacturing, of all these great factories that are being built.” He also said Trump would speak about lowering energy costs.
The State of the Union, which traditionally recapped accomplishments and sought to unite the country, increasingly reflects societal divisions. “What you’re going to expect is some version of a campaign speech in which the Democrats are the villains, the Republicans he likes are the heroes, and he is the savior not only of the nation but of the globe,” said Kathleen Hall Jamieson, a communications professor at the University of Pennsylvania. Trump supporters may recall the moment in 2020 when the president awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom to Rush Limbaugh, the conservative radio host and author who died in 2021. This action alienated Democrats who viewed Limbaugh as a destructive figure in political media.
The reaction within the House chamber could be as significant as Trump’s words. When Trump delivered his 2020 State of the Union, then-House Speaker Nancy Pelosi tore up her copy of his speech afterward, overshadowing much of what Trump said. House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries has indicated that a strong, determined, and dignified Democratic presence in the chamber is important, suggesting some members might choose not to attend in protest. There is also the possibility of Democrats interrupting Trump, as Rep. Al Green, D-Texas, did in 2025, leading to Trump being momentarily silenced. If Trump elaborates on his use of federal law to continue his tariffs, Conant noted it will be interesting to see the lawmakers' reaction. “I think that any House Republicans that don’t applaud his tariffs are going to be featured prominently on the telecast,” he said.
State of the Union addresses generally have short shelf lives. While some presidential phrases endure, much of the rhetoric is forgettable. With Trump, known for his unscripted remarks, a stray comment or a social media post could potentially overshadow his message. Matt Latimer, a former Republican speechwriter, commented that people hear the president speak frequently, diminishing the State of the Union's impact. A State of the Union, he noted, “only matters in moments when the country is undergoing a great trauma — a war, an attack, a global crisis — and a president and Congress want to speak in a (mostly) united voice to the country. That’s not what we are experiencing now.”