President Trump Says “Our Nation Is Back” In 1st State Of The Union Of His 2nd Term
on Feb 24, 2026
President Trump’s State Of The Union Address Declares That “America Is Back”
With Vice President JD Vance at his right, and House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-LA, at his left, President Donald Trump‘s first State of the Union address of his second term comes at a pivotal moment.
Will the next State of the Union address see a different Speaker of the House seated behind Trump?
Preventing that potential midterm outcome is part of the aim of this address to the nation, which was delivered in the Capitol on Tuesday, Feb. 24.
Following his primetime address to the nation on Dec. 17, 2025, Trump has several potentially challenging subjects to address in what is already shaping up to be a heated midterm year.
Between the controversial enforcement of immigration laws, as well as action and intervention in other nations — namely, Venezuela — Trump will have to make the argument to the American people that these efforts are in the nation’s best interest, and not at its expense.
Similarly, these remarks are being made days after the Supreme Court shot down his reciprocal tariff policy, which Trump countered by instating a 15% global tariff through powers permitted by the Trade Act of 1974.
Notably absent from the State of the Union address are many Congressional Democrats, who are instead attending their own counter-programming rally, dubbed the “People’s State of the Union.”
In the House of Representatives, there are currently 218 Republicans and 214 Democrats. Meanwhile, in the Senate, there are 53 Republicans and 45 Democrats, with two Independents who caucus on Democrat lines.
The speech saw many campaign-style reminders of accomplishments under the Trump administration so far, but it also saw some high profile guests honored, including the Team USA Men’s Hockey team goalie, Connor Hellebuyck, who was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom; and he awarded two veterans with the Congressional Medal of Honor.
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Trump’s Remarks On The State Of The Union
Stating that he inherited “a nation in crisis” from the Biden administration, President Trump began his State of the Union address by declaring, “Our nation is back! Bigger, better, richer, and stronger than ever before.”
Speaking on the 250th anniversary of America, Trump said, “This July 4, we will mark two-and-a-half centuries of liberty and triumph, progress and freedom in the most incredible and exceptional nation ever to exist on the face of the earth.”
He added, “We’ve seen nothing yet. We’re going to do better and better and better. This is the golden age of America.”
Trump celebrated many campaign promises which had been fulfilled.
The number of illegal immigrants who have been released into the nation is zero, Trump said.
Further, fentanyl traffic at the U.S. border is down 56% from this point last year.
He also asked for Congress to codify his Most-Favored Nation pricing into law, a policy which seeks to secure for Americans the lowest price on prescription drugs in any place in the world.
Trump also asked that Congress approve the Save America Act, which will prevent illegal migrants from voting in elections — a pivotal piece of legislation ahead of the 2026 midterm election.
With the Save America Act, all voters will have to prove their status as citizens of the United States.
One comment Trump made that brought legislators from both parties to their feet in applause was in regard to insider trading.
Noting the stock market is at an all-time high, Trump said, “Members of Congress cannot corruptly profit from using insider information.”
As Democrats and Republicans both applauded, Trump remarked, “They stood up for that? I can’t believe it. I can’t believe it. Did Nancy Pelosi stand up? … Doubt it.”
Reiterating this point, he said, “Pass the Stop Insider Trading Act, without delay.”
The Stop Insider Trading Act is presently being considered by the House, and it seeks to penalize Congress members and their family members who benefit from insider trading.
Rep. Nancy Pelosi, D-CA, has long been believed to have benefited from insider trading.
Watch President Donald Trump’s 2026 State of the Union address, here:
Team USA Men’s Hockey Team Honored In A Special Way
A point of national pride was celebrated early on in Trump’s remarks as he introduced the Team USA Men’s Hockey team, which won gold, 2-1, in overtime against Canada at Milano Cortina Winter Olympic Games on Feb. 22.
As the team filed into the chamber, they were greeted by a rousing standing ovation.
There, Trump announced that the Men’s Hockey goalie, Connor Hellebuyck, will be honored with the highest civilian honor: the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
Trump also noted that the Women’s Hockey team will be visiting the White House following some controversy over Trump’s invitation to the Men’s Hockey team, in which Trump joked he’d be “impeached” if he didn’t invite them.
See the moment Trump announced the honor for Connor Hellebuyck, here:
Charlie Kirk Remembered During State Of The Union Address
Pivoting to religion, Trump praised that there has been an increase in religious interest and fervor in America.
“This is especially true of young people,” Trump said, attributing this to Charlie Kirk, the late 31-year-old founder of Turning Point USA who was killed while addressing students at Utah Valley University on Sept. 10, 2025.
Expounding upon Charlie’s death, Trump said Charlie had been “martyred for his beliefs.”
Charlie’s widow, Erika Kirk, was in attendance, inspiring a chant of “Charlie” from within the Chamber.
“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,” Trump declared. “We love religion, and we love bringing it back, and it’s coming back at levels nobody actually thought possible.”
Two Veterans Awarded With Medal Of Honor
Near the end of President Trump’s State of the Union address, two veterans were awarded the highest military honor: the Congressional Medal of Honor.
First was Chief Warrant Officer Eric Slover, who was wounded during the United States’ Jan. 3 invasion of Venezuela.
Serving as a pilot during the raid to capture Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, Slover was hit in the leg, taking four bullets that “shredded his leg into numerous pieces.”
He went on to say, “Even as he was gushing blood … Eric maneuvered his helicopter with all of those lives and souls to face the enemy and let his gunners eliminate the threat,” Trump said. It was only after they had landed that Slover told the co-pilot to take over.
Watch Slover receive the Medal of Honor, here:
That wasn’t the only Medal of Honor awarded though, with the second veteran honored being retired Navy Captain E. Royce Williams, who is 100 years old.
As a captain in the Navy, he shot down four Soviet jets in a 1952 operation that was only recently declassified.
Trump said, “Royce was in the dogfight of a lifetime.”
Expounding upon Royce’s service, Trump stated:
“It was his first aerial combat of the war, and despite being massively outnumbered and outgunned, Royce led the take down of four enemy jets and almost destroyed the others — vanquishing his adversaries while taking 263 bullets to his own plane and being seriously hurt.”
Placing the Medal of Honor upon him was First Lady Melania Trump.
Watch Royce receive the Medal of Honor, here:
