Donald Trump boasts a historic turnaround of the United States during his general policy speech at the Capitol

Donald Trump, at the Capitol in Washington on February 24, 2026. Credit: KENNY HOLSTON/AFP

Donald Trump made a grand entrance into the House of Representatives, followed by a record speech of one hour and forty-seven minutes: Donald Trump took advantage of the traditional State of the Union address to paint an idyllic picture of the United States on Tuesday, February 24th, a little over a year after his return to power.

“After only one year, I can say with dignity and pride that we have accomplished an unprecedented transformation and historic recovery,” declared the American president in his general policy speech delivered in front of a family clan’s omnipresent audience, including First Lady Melania Trump. “Our country is back (smiley face icon). Inflation is dropping, incomes are rising fast, and the economy is flourishing like never before,” he said, further adding that “USA, USA, USA” chanted by Republican lawmakers.

Challenged by the Supreme Court, struggling in the polls, and facing a potential electoral sanction in November during the midterm elections that could reduce his party’s control of Parliament, Donald Trump had a lot to do to convince Americans that the “golden age” promised during his inauguration is within reach.

“War against welfare fraud”

In his speech, he listed his immigration record, stating that the border had “never been safer.” He announced that his vice president, J.D. Vance, was now charged with waging a “war against welfare fraud” attributed to migrants and targeted in certain Democratic states.

“The importation of these cultures through uncontrolled immigration and open borders gives rise to these problems right here in the US. And it’s the Americans who pay the price,” he accused, linking this to the increase in medical expenses or the rise in crime. “You should be ashamed,” he said to the Democrats, who remained seated when he applauded his policy against illegal immigration.

Donald Trump thanked the interim president of Venezuela, Delcy Rodriguez, and claimed that the US had received over 80 million barrels of oil from the country, “our new friend and partner.” Since the US captured Nicolas Maduro on January 3rd, Washington has been trying to control the exploitation of the country’s huge oil reserves.

The Republican introduced Enrique Marquez, 62, the former Venezuelan presidential candidate, invited to the congressional podium. Marquez was one of the first political prisoners released in January, following the announcements made by the Venezuelan authorities.

“Sinister ambitions” of Iran

Donald Trump also discussed Iran, as allied and rival countries waited for clues about the intentions of the invisible commander-in-chief who had amassed significant military forces in the Middle East. He accused Tehran of having “developed missiles that could threaten Europe and [US] military bases” and of seeking “to build missiles that could soon reach the US.”

“They were warned not to try to rebuild their armament program, especially nuclear weapons. Yet, they continue and [are] currently pursuing their sinister ambitions,” he added, stating that his “preference” is for a resolution of this latent conflict “through diplomacy.” “We are in negotiations with them. They want to reach an agreement, but we have not yet heard these key words: ‘We will never have nuclear weapons’,” added the American president.

Before Supreme Court judges, Donald Trump called their decision to invalidate much of the trade tariffs he had imposed on US trading partners “very regrettable.” Four of the nine judges of the institution, whom the Republican had vehemently criticized, were in the front row for his speech. He shook hands with them upon arrival. The president’s tone was markedly more measured than in the hours following the decision on Friday, when he accused the country’s highest court of succumbing to “foreign influences,” calling the judges who ruled against his tariffs “idiots” and “lapdogs” in the service of the “radical left.”

Donald Trump also asked Congress to approve his electoral fraud reform, which requires each voter to present an ID to vote; a contentious issue in the US where millions of eligible voters do not possess such a document. “I ask you to approve the ‘Save America Act’ to prevent illegal immigrants and other undocumented individuals from voting in our sacred American elections,” he declared, adding that “cheating is rampant in our elections,” an unfounded allegation he often repeats.

The men’s hockey team hailed after their Olympic title

The US president praised the men’s ice hockey team, who had just won Olympic gold. “Our country has found its way back to victory,” he symbolically repeated, before bringing the players into the chamber. With their gold medals around their necks, they were warmly applauded by lawmakers from both sides in a rare display of political unity, one of the highlights of an evening that offered few. “It’s the first time I’ve seen them stand up,” noted Donald Trump to the attention of the Democratic lawmakers. The Republican said he would soon welcome the female team, also Olympic champions, who had chosen not to attend his speech.

In addition to the hockey team, Donald Trump invited Erika Kirk, widow of pro-Trump influencer Charlie Kirk, who was assassinated in September 2025 and whom the White House, in line with Christian right, has made a “martyr.”

Over thirty Democratic lawmakers who had decided to boycott Donald Trump’s speech took turns speaking in front of the Capitol in the evening. “We refuse to stand idly by when our country is teetering on the brink,” defended Pennsylvania representative Summer Lee in front of dozens of people.

In total, about half of the Democratic lawmakers boycotted the presidential speech, according to the media Axios. Other Democratic lawmakers invited victims of former financier Jeffrey Epstein in the Capitol building. Epstein died in prison in 2019 before his trial for sexual crimes and had close ties with Donald Trump.

At the beginning of the speech, African-American Democratic Congressman Al Green held up a sign reading “Blacks are not monkeys” before being expelled, referring to a racist video shared by Donald Trump in February depicting former President Barack Obama and his wife, Michelle, as monkeys.