In record State of the Union, Trump spars with Dems, touts economy and immigration

The speech was a chance for Trump to make his case ahead of the midterms.

Last Updated: February 24, 2026, 11:57 PM EST

President Donald Trump delivered his State of the Union Tuesday night in Washington, as a majority of Americans disapprove of how he is handling inflation, tariffs, relations with other countries, immigration and the economy, according to an ABC News/Washington Post/Ipsos poll.

For Trump, the speech was a chance to make the case directly to millions of Americans ahead of November's midterm elections where control of Congress is at stake. Dozens of Democrats, meanwhile, skipped the speech in protest.

Key Headlines

Here's how the news developed:
Feb 24, 2026, 5:08 PM EST

Speaker Johnson to display George Washington's gavel

House Speaker Mike Johnson will display George Washington's gavel during the State of the Union address, according to his office and the U.S. Capitol Historical Society.

The gavel, which was first used in 1793 by Washington to lay the cornerstone of the U.S. Capitol building, "beautifully reflects the importance of preserving and sharing the Capitol's history," Roswell Encina, president and CEO of the U.S. Capitol Historical Society, said in a statement.

-ABC News' Mariam Khan

Feb 24, 2026, 4:25 PM EST

Virginia governor to focus on affordability in response to State of the Union

Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger will deliver the Democrats' response to the State of the Union address. She will focus on affordability and the chaos she said the Trump administration has caused at home and abroad, the governor's team told reporters Tuesday.

Abigail Spanberger, governor of Virginia, during an inauguration ceremony at Capitol Square in Richmond, Va., Jan. 17, 2026.
Al Drago/Bloomberg via Getty Images

Spanberger will discuss lowering the persistently high costs of housing, health care, energy and groceries despite the administration's insistence that some of these costs have come down.

Spanberger, a former CIA officer, will also address how she says the Trump administration is contributing to greater worldwide uncertainty.

Read more here.

-ABC News' Hannah Demissie and Benjamin Siegel

Feb 24, 2026, 3:11 PM EST

Trump expected to announce deal with tech companies over data centers: Sources

Trump is expected to announce an agreement with top tech companies during the State of the Union in an attempt to address a key factor shaping Americans' perceptions of affordability: rising electric bills, multiple sources told ABC News.

President Donald Trump speaks during the 'Angel Families Remembrance Ceremony' at the White House in Washington, February 23, 2026.
Will Oliver/EPA/Shutterstock

The agreement would see tech companies behind the AI boom pledge to cover costs associated with the build out of new data centers so they don't increase household electricity prices, according to the sources.

Electricity prices are up 6.3% in the past year, according to the latest government data.

Trump is expected to say the companies have committed to "pay their own way" so electricity prices don't rise for consumers, the sources said. Specific details of the deal remain unclear ahead of the planned announcement.

-ABC News' Elizabeth Schulze, Emily Kohlberg and Will Steakin

Feb 24, 2026, 2:20 PM EST

White House working on logistics for men's hockey team to attend

The White House, after images emerged of a government plane transporting athletes from the gold medal-winning men's hockey team to Washington, said it was working "through logistics so that members of Team USA may attend tonight."

"Tune in!" a White House official said.

A U.S. government airplane carrying the USA men's Olympic ice hockey team takes off for Washington from Miami, Feb. 24, 2026.
WSVN

House Speaker Mike Johnson told reporters earlier Tuesday, "We'll squeeze in the hockey players tonight and it'll be a great moment for America."

The U.S. women's hockey team also won Olympic gold and the team was later invited to the State of the Union, but declined the invitation.

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