Trump to highlight first-year record in office during ‘long’ State of the Union address

WASHINGTON, DC: Donald Trump is expected to sell voters on the record of his first year back in office during his State of the Union address despite facing significant blows before the upcoming midterm election.

The address, scheduled for Tuesday, February 23, is Trump’s first since he became president for the second time in 2025. But his administration has received widespread criticism for many policies and decisions, such as the ICE crackdown, a series of steep tariffs, controversial appointments, and the US military strike in Venezuela.

Trump promises lengthy State of the Union

The Republican leader has reportedly faced low approval ratings. In addition, last week the Supreme Court annulled Trump’s signature tariffs.

However, despite these setbacks, the 79-year-old commander-in-chief appears unbothered. He said, “We have a country that’s now doing well. We have the greatest economy we’ve ever had. We have the most activity we’ve ever had.”

“I’m making a speech tomorrow night, and you’ll be hearing me say that. It’s going to be a long speech because we have so much to talk about,” he added.

Democrats boycott Trump State of the Union

On the other hand, many Democrats are planning to boycott Trump’s State of the Union address.

Last week, Senator Ruben Gallego, D-Ariz, said, “This administration continues to disregard the rule of law and the Constitution while failing to lower costs for American families. I have more productive ways to spend two hours than listening to more lies. I’ll pass.”

Senator Alex Padilla, D-Calif, who will deliver the Spanish rebuttal, stated: “Americans don’t need another speech from Donald Trump pretending everything is fine when their bills are too high, paychecks are too low, and masked and militarized federal agents are roaming our communities violating Constitutional rights on a daily basis.”

“I will watch the State of the Union elsewhere, I will not attend in person, as I am not interested in being used as a prop for his theatrics,” Representative Sean Casten (D-IL) added.

Democrats plan counterevents to Trump address

Some Democrats are planning to attend the address with guests. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) has reportedly invited Raiza Contreras, “a mother from the Bronx whose son was the first NYC public school student detained in Trump’s ICE mass-detention and deportation campaign.”

Representative Ilhan Omar (D-MN) will attend the event with Aliya Rahman, who was forcefully detained by immigration agents in Minneapolis.

In addition, two counterprogramming events, the “State of the Swamp” at the DC National Press Club and the “People’s State of the Union” on the National Mall, will take place in opposition to Trump and his policies.