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, 11:36 PM EST

Dem response: 'We did not hear the truth from our president'

Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger said Americans "did not hear the truth from our president" tonight while delivering the Democratic response to Trump's State of the Union address.

"Is the president working to make life more affordable for you and your family? Is the president working to keep Americans safe, both at home and abroad? Is the president working for you?" she asked, saying the answer to those three questions is no.

Virginia Governor Abigail Spanberger delivers Democratic response to the 2026 State of the Union address by President Donald Trump, Feb. 24, 2026.
ABC News

She briefly touched on the files around Jeffrey Epstein and protests in Minnesota against the Trump administration's immigration crackdown, which were not mentioned during Trump's State of the Union.

Spanberger said Trump "offered no real solutions to our nation's pressing challenges, so many of which he is actively making worse."

Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger's speech focuses on affordability in the Democratic response to President Donald Trump’s 2026 State of the Union address.
12:53
Gov. Abigail Spanberger delivers Democratic response to State of the UnionVirginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger's speech focuses on affordability in the Democratic response to President Donald Trump’s 2026 State of the Union address.
ABCNews.com
Feb 24, 2026, 11:22 PM EST

Trump ends State of the Union Speech, longest in history

Trump ended his speech at 10:59 p.m., after 1 hour and 48 minutes.

This marked the longest State of the Union speech in history, beating last year's 1 hour and 40 minute speech.

President Donald Trump delivers the State of the Union address in the House Chamber of the US Capitol in Washington, February 24, 2026.
Kenny Holston/Pool/AFP via Getty Images
Feb 24, 2026, 11:14 PM EST

Medal of Honor awarded to 100-year-old veteran

A 100-year-old veteran was also awarded the Medal of Honor during the State of the Union.

Royce Williams was a Navy fighter pilot who served in the Korean and Vietnam wars. President Trump called him a "legend" and highlighted Williams' dogfight against seven Soviet fighter planes during the Korean War that was a secret for decades.

First lady Melania Trump presented the retired captain with the Medal of Honor. Both sides of the aisle erupted with prolonged cheers and claps for him.

First Lady Melania Trump presents US veteran Captain E. Royce Williams with the Medal of Honor during US President Donald Trump's the State of the Union address in the House Chamber of the US Capitol in Washington, Feb. 24, 2026.
Brendan Smialowski/AFP via Getty Images
Feb 24, 2026, 11:12 PM EST

Tech companies have not made deal yet with Trump over data centers

Trump earlier said he had worked out negotiations with unnamed tech companies where they would pay for their own electricity for data centers.

Tech companies so far are not confirming that they’ve agreed to this pledge.

In a statement to ABC News, Microsoft President Brad Smith called the announcement an “important step.”

“The Ratepayer Protection Pledge is an important step. We appreciate the administration’s work to ensure that data centers don’t contribute to higher electricity prices for consumers," Brad Smith, Microsoft's vice chair and president, said in a statement.

-ABC News' Will Steakin and Elizabeth Schulze

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