Top Stories • February 25, 2026

President Donald Trump’s record-breaking State of the Union address took a sharp turn about an hour into the speech, shifting from economic messaging to pointed political combat. The president opened by honoring America’s Olympic gold medal men’s hockey team and announcing he would award goaltender Connor Hellebuyck the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation’s highest civilian honor, drawing cheers inside the House chamber. As he defended what he called a “golden age” for the country despite sagging poll numbers on the economy and tariffs, the tone grew combative. Trump repeatedly criticized Democrats over inflation and national divisions, prompting heckling and visible protests from some lawmakers on the House floor. In response, Virginia Governor Abigail Spanberger delivered the Democratic rebuttal, sharply criticizing Trump’s economic and immigration policies and arguing affordability remains the central concern for American families. Meanwhile, new polling shows majorities of Americans disapprove of the president’s handling of inflation and tariffs. On foreign policy, U.S. and Ukrainian officials are preparing to resume talks in Geneva focused on recovery aid and potential broader discussions that could include Russia.

Daniel Compatangelo reports.