In defiance of polling, Trump declares 'turnaround for the ages' in U.S.

Facing an American electorate that polls show has soured on his agenda, President Trump delivered a State of the Union address centered on how his policies have turned the economy around from the edge of disaster, ended rampant illegal immigration, slowed inflation and reduced crime. The speech, delivered on Tuesday, February 24, 2026, in Washington D.C., came despite polling showing his approval rating underwater among Democrats and independents who disapprove of his handling of the economy, foreign policy and immigration. 'Tonight, after just one year, I can say with dignity and pride that we have achieved a transformation like no one has ever seen before, and a turnaround for the ages,' Trump declared, prompting a round of 'USA' chanting in the chamber. The president highlighted numerous achievements including the One Big Beautiful Bill Act that eliminated taxes on tips, overtime pay and Social Security income for seniors, and claimed to have wrangled reductions in drug costs covered under Medicare and Medicaid. Trump's most touted accomplishment was curbing illegal immigration, with him boasting 'the most secure border in American history' and claiming that in the past nine months, 'zero illegal aliens have been admitted to the United States' while fentanyl flows decreased by 56%. The president provided statistics showing economic improvements including significantly lower gasoline prices, record-high stock market performance, and declining mortgage rates as inflation slowed. Despite persistently high grocery prices, Trump claimed his administration drove core inflation down to the lowest level in over five years. The address also featured new policy announcements including a requirement for Big Tech companies to build their own power plants for data centers to prevent energy price increases, and a 'war on fraud' led by Vice President J.D. Vance targeting public safety fund abuses. Trump addressed tensions in the Middle East, stating he would not allow Iran to develop nuclear weapons, and clashed with Democrats during the speech, particularly over immigration enforcement, receiving a standing ovation when he declared 'the first duty of the American government is to protect American citizens, not illegal aliens.' The contentious exchange prompted Rep. Ilhan Omar to shout, 'You have killed Americans,' to which Trump responded, 'You should be ashamed.'