“Unprecedented transformation”, “historic recovery”, “golden age of America: Donald Trump painted, Tuesday evening before Congress, an idyllic picture of the United States since his return to power in January, despite the growing dissatisfaction of Americans over the economy and immigration, less than a year before the mid-term elections.

Published on: 02/25/2026 - 07:29Modified on: 02/25/2026 - 07:54

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A lot of talk for a picture that's a little too rosy. Tuesday, February 24, facing a Congress that is still divided, Donald Trump set about selling the image of an America in full economic rebirth and saved from illegal immigration. Each year, the State of the Union addresses are a way for American presidents to highlight their record.

For 1 hour 47 minutes - a record - Donald Trump therefore sought to convince the Americans, called to the polls next November for the mid-term elections, that their situation has improved, despite opinion polls which frighten the Republican camp.

Also readState of the Union address live: Iran, war on fraud and Trump's self-satisfaction

During the first part of his speech, generally the most watched by viewers, Donald Trump followed the advice of those around him by remaining disciplined, with numerous figures to fuel his self-satisfaction. “After only one year, I can say with dignity and pride that we have accomplished an unprecedented transformation and a historic turnaround,” said the American head of state before adding: “Our country is back.” “Inflation is falling, incomes are growing quickly, the economy is thriving like it has never been,” he said. In short, “this is America’s golden age.”

The reality is less rosy. Economic growth certainly has nothing to be ashamed of at 2.2% in 2025, but this remains less than the 2.3% in 2024. Inflation has slowed down but remains above the Federal Reserve's objectives. And above all, the feeling in the wallets is diametrically different. According to a YouGov/Marketwatch survey published Tuesday, nearly 47% of Americans believe that their purchasing power has deteriorated since Donald Trump's return to power. And only a third of Americans approve of his handling of inflation, according to another study conducted for ABC News/Washington Post/Ipsos.

“The Democrats are destroying our country”

To help Republican elected officials who could lose their seats in November, Donald Trump particularly insisted on his "One Big Beautiful Bill" which granted new tax cuts last year. He also touted his tariffs, under the eyes of three of the Supreme Court justices who struck them down last week. Very angry immediately after the magistrates' decision, the American president made sure to remain polite on Tuesday evening, calling it "very regrettable" while promising to continue his protectionist policy.

If Donald Trump remained measured on the economy, he allowed himself more attacks against the Democrats in the second part of his speech, and in particular on the theme of immigration.

Also read "No monkeys", river speech and hockey: five notable moments from Trump's speech

Like this moment when he asked his listeners to stand up if they believed that the primary mission of the United States was to protect American citizens and not illegal immigrants. While many elected Democrats remained seated while the Republicans stood applauding, the president shook his head for very long seconds, as if to prolong the scene.

Also read: United States: detained minors, “collateral victims” of Trump’s migration strategy?

A little later, he stepped aside from his teleprompter to castigate the opposition: "These people are crazy, I tell you, they are crazy (...). The Democrats are destroying our country, but we stopped them just in time." Opposite, certain elected officials had decided not to let it happen. African-American Al Green was expelled while holding a sign reading “Black people are not monkeys” in reference to the racist post about the Obamas shared by Donald Trump on social networks.

A speech “disconnected from reality”

Minnesota elected official Ilhan Omar also confronted the Republican: "Liar", "You killed Americans", she accused, in reference to Renee Good and Alex Pretti, two American demonstrators killed in January by federal agents in Minneapolis. Ilhan Omar and other Democrats left the House of Representatives before the speech ended. Several dozen Democrats decided to simply skip the evening and organize a rally near Congress instead.

“Americans have never seen a State of the Union speech so disconnected from reality,” responded the leader of the Democrats in the Senate, Chuck Schumer, denouncing “a daily life marked by higher costs, unaffordable housing, more chaos, and more corruption”.

"Does the president work for you? We all know the answer is no," summed up, as the Democrats' official response, moderate Abigail Spanberger, whose recent election to the post of governor of Virginia gives hope to the left in view of the mid-term elections.

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