WASHINGTON – An hour and 48 minutes.
PresidentDonald Trumpdelivered a record long address to a joint session of Congress on Feb. 24, eclipsing his own 2025 record by nine minutes. In the first officialState of the Unionaddress of his second term, the president blasted Democrats for opposing his agenda, criticized theSupreme Courtfor overturning his tariffs and reflected on the death of slain conservative activist Charlie Kirk. He also repeatedly insulted and chastised Democrats for not cheering at his applause lines.
Trump covered topics ranging from immigration to the economy, drug prices and recent military tensions in Iran. Some of the night's most explosive moments, including a sign referencing a recent racist social media post by Trump and an appearance by a group of "winning" Americans.
President Donald Trump delivered the first State of the Union of his second term on Feb. 24, 2026, promoting the economy and calling the U.S. "the hottest country anywhere in the world." He highlighted growth in business and manufacturing and pushed his immigration agenda, citing mass deportations and a sharp drop in border crossings. The speech came as Trump faces pushback from the Supreme Court over tariffs, rising tensions with Iran and a 60% disapproval rating that threatens to hurt Republicans." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" />
Trump boasts business at State of the Union, clashes with Dems
President Donald Trumpdelivered the first State of the Union of his second term on Feb. 24, 2026, promoting the economy and calling the U.S. "the hottest country anywhere in the world."He highlighted growth in business and manufacturing and pushed his immigration agenda, citing mass deportations and a sharp drop in border crossings. The speech came as Trump faces pushback from the Supreme Court over tariffs, rising tensions with Iran and a 60% disapproval rating that threatens to hurt Republicans.
Here are some of the biggest moments from the fiery address.
'Black people aren't apes' sign
Rep. Al Green stirred controversy for the second year in a row during Trump's address to Congress. As Trump entered the House chamber, Green, a Democrat from Texas, held a sign behind him reading: ""Black people aren't apes."
Green was ushered out of the chamber minutes later and appeared to have a heated exchange with several Republicans as he left.
Green was also ejected from Trump's 2025 address for waving his cane at Trump and yelling. The Democrat was later censured for his behavior.
See Rep. Al Green's removal State of the Union after protest
His sign this year referenced a video Trump posted on social media in early February depictingBarack and Michelle Obama, the former president and first lady, as apes. Politicians on both sides of the aisle called the video racist.
Trump has lobbed racist insults at the Obamas before, including spending years promoting the false conspiracy theory that Barack Obama was born outside the United States.
Trump disses the Supreme Court
On Feb. 20, theSupreme Court dealt a blowto Trump's economic agenda in a decision overturning his import tariffs.
Trump didn't hesitate to strike back at the justices who ruled against him in his State of the Union speech. Trump described the decision as "disappointing" and "very unfortunate."
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The comments were less aggressive than remarks the president made right after the decision, in which he called the justices "unpatriotic and disloyal to the Constitution."
The justices in attendance – Chief Justice Roberts and Justices Elena Kagan and Brett Kavanaugh and Amy Coney Barret – remained stoic in the front row as Trump addressed them.
The tariffs were a linchpin of Trump's economic policy, which he has touted as causing a "historic turnaround" for the American people. In his speech, Trump said the economy was "roaring like never before."
Most Americans don't feel those gains. AnAP-NORC pollpublished in early February found 59% of Americans disapprove of Trump's handling of the economy. Anothersurveyreleased hours after theSupreme Court's decision found 60% of U.S. adults support the ruling striking down the tariffs.
US Men's Hockey Team gets shoutout
Trump loves gold and he loves winning. TheU.S. men's Olympic hockey teammet both those criteria after their win over Canada in the Milan winter games – and the president pointed it out early.
Talking about how much "winning" the United States has been doing under his administration, Trump introduced the men's hockey team to chants of "USA!"
As the team drew a standing ovation, Trump pointed to the Democrats in the room and joked: "That's the first time I've ever seen them get up."
"And actually, not all of them did get up," he added.
He went on to commend the U.S. men and U.S. women's hockey team for both winning gold, and said the women would be visiting the White House.
Trump also invited the women's gold-medal Olympic Hockey Team to the State of the Union,but they could not attend due to a prior engagement.
Contributing: Philip M. Bailey, Sara D. Wire
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:What did Trump say at the 2026 State of the Union? 3 yey moments
