President Donald Trump delivered the longest State of the Union address in U.S. history on February 24, asserting that America has achieved a “turnaround for the ages,” placing economic revival at the center of what he called a new Golden Age.
He pointed to falling inflation, record stock market milestones, and sharply lower gasoline prices as evidence that his economic strategy is working. “Today our border is secure, our spirit is restored, inflation is plummeting, incomes are rising fast, the roaring economy is roaring like never before, and our enemies are scared,” he said.
Migration was a central theme of the speech. Trump highlighted the difference between current enforcement and the failures of the previous Biden administration. “Open borders for everyone. They poured in by the millions and millions from prisons, from mental institutions. They were murderers: 11,888 murderers. They came into our country.” Turning directly to Democrats, he said, “You allowed that to happen.”
Trump reiterated the fundamental responsibility of the government: “The first duty of the American government is to protect American citizens, not illegal aliens.” When Democrats remained seated, he responded: “Isn’t that a shame? You should be ashamed of yourself not standing up.”
He also highlighted victims of crimes involving illegal immigrants, including five-year-old Dalilah Coleman, injured in a crash involving “an illegal alien, let in by Joe Biden and given a commercial driver’s license by open borders.”
On foreign policy, Trump emphasized strength and deterrence. He honored Army Chief Warrant Officer Eric Slover with the Medal of Honor for his role in the January raid that captured Venezuelan dictator Nicolás Maduro. Trump noted new oil cooperation, stating, “We just received from our new friend and partner Venezuela more than 80 million barrels of oil.”
Trump also lashed out at the Supreme Court for striking down his reciprocal tariffs, calling the decision “unfortunate,” while maintaining that tariffs were “one of the primary reasons for our country’s stunning economic turnaround.”
“The golden age of America is upon us,” Trump concluded. “The revolution that began in 1776 has not ended…and our future will be bigger, better, brighter, bolder and more glorious than ever before.”
