February 24th saw Donald Trumps first official State of the Union address during his term as 47th President of the United States. The Union address is a yearly speech where presidents outline priorities, achievements and policy goals of the coming year. However this years speech was a record-breaking 108 minutes long and turned out becoming slightly confrontational.

Trump focuses his speech primarily around 5 main themes of: Economic claims, Immigration, Foreign Policy and the Partisan tone of the Democrats who oppose many of Trumps values.

Shifting on to the Presidents economic claims to the nation, Trump talked about a strong U.S. economy and inflation falling, wages on the rise and one of the highest employment rates yet which would boost a countries economy tremendously through maximising GDP (Gross Domestic Product), increase consumer spending and the tax revenue associated with that. However some critics have argued that data suggest otherwise and that growth isn’t dramatically stronger. As for the critics argument upon an above target inflation rate; The Morning Snip finds that gas prices are on average 20% cheaper under the Trump administration than under Joe Biden’s leadership (according to the U.S., Energy Information Administration) which should help lower inflation through cheaper production costs. Equally however the Consumer Price Index (price consumers pay on average for a standard basket of goods) is rising according to the U.S. Bureau of Labour Statistics at 2.4% however at a slowed rate in comparison to Decembers 2.7%. However don’t be fooled economists generally predict for a 2% increase for this.

Moving onto the heated topic now in Trump’s speech and the threat he proposed of immigration, arguing the Goverment’s “first duty of the American Goverment is to protect American citizens, not illegal aliens”. Trump received backlash from this, particularly from the Somali-American congresswoman Iihan Omar from the Minnesota Congressional District, where recently a Goverment scandal was uncovered by independent journalist Nick Shirley where billions of fraud took place - large amounts going to “fake” Minnesota daycares. Trump tells Iihan Omar and other Democrats who didn’t stand in agreement to the protection of U.S. citizens before others that they “should be ashamed of themselves; Trump goes on to call an end to “deadly” Sanctuary cities (cities who limit the sharing of immigration information)which Trump suggests “protect[s] the criminals” and calls for “serious penalties to public officials who block the removal of criminal aliens” who Trump outlines many are “drug lords” and “murderers”. Trump later outlines how ashamed they should be to block the removal of these people out of the United States of America.

Heat to nukes. Moving from the heated argument with some Congress members to now the foreign policy the President mentioned during his speech. Trump mentioned Iran and their nuclear ambitions following the airstrikes by the U.S. military on 3 Iranian nuclear sites on June 22nd 2025. Trump mentioned the ambitions as “sinister” and warned of the concequences if negations fail. Trump calls for his foreign policy in 2026 to be assertive, especially on Iran and strategic locations as well as as to use economic leverage and tariffs as diplomatic tools to shape outcomes. The President also mentions new Global initiatives such as The Board of Peace to ensure peacekeeping and reconstruction , as well as stability in affected areas such as that of the current conflict on the Gaza Strip. On the 19th February Trump has announced a pledge of $10 billion towards this - pending approval.

Also mentioned by Donald J Trump was the Partisan tone of the Democratic Party and how he is now saving the U.S. from the previous chaos such as economic hardship and immigration. Trump labelled the Democrats as responsible for “weakening” America and allowing crises of wars and border issues to follow through easily. However the slander didn’t stop their, Trump went on to tell of his plans to Pass the Stop Insider Trading Act without delay, even mocking Nancy Pelosi and asking if she’d agree to the upcoming act. Nancy, whose Congressional zone includes that of San Francisco has gains of $4.7 million but a net worth estimated according to Quiver Quantitative (based on congressional financial disclosures) to be worth $261.9 million.

On a positive finish, Trump also included during the longest in U.S. history Union speech the honouring of military members and sports teams including the U.S. gold medal Olympic hockey team who recently won gold. Trump invited the team to the event, creating patriotic “USA” chants whilst also telling the United States is going to win again and big. Trump also called for national unity against political violence and called for the “golden age of America” to be upon despite the 40 Democratic lawmakers who boycotted the event. Despite this, Trump mentioned the revolution which began in 1776 has “not ended” and “continues” as the “flame of liberty and independence still burns in the heart of every American patriot” and that there is “no dream too bold” to chase. The 45 and 47th president of the United Sates mentions a “bigger, better, brighter, bolder and more glorious than ever before” nation later ending the speech with “God bless America”