Trump uses longest-ever State of the Union to try to convince voters that US is ‘winning so much’

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump has used a record-length State of the Union to argue that the country is “winning” under his leadership, even as his approval ratings slide. In Tuesday’s speech (Feb. 24, 2026), the president focused on jobs, manufacturing and an economy he says is stronger than many Americans believe. Trump tried at points to appeal to bipartisan patriotic sentiments, introducing a series of surprise guests that included U.S. military heroes and the Olympic gold medal-winning U.S. men’s hockey team. Trump also highlighted his immigration crackdowns and spending cuts. Democratic lawmakers stayed seated without clapping during most of Trump’s speech, and when Democrats heckled him, Trump proclaimed, “You should be ashamed of yourselves.”