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.

ByAlexandra Hutzler, Ivan Pereira, and Meredith Deliso
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, 7:25 PM EST

No. 2 House Democrat on why she's skipping the SOTU

House Minority Whip Katherine Clark told ABC News she will not attend President Trump's State of the Union address tonight, making her the highest-ranking House Democrat to skip the event.

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries listens to House Minority Whip Katherine Clark speaks at a news conference on the 8th day of a government shutdown at the U.S. Capitol, Oct. 8, 2025, in Washington.
John Mcdonnell/AP

"And let me tell you why," Clark told ABC News' Linsey Davis in an exclusive interview. "What we have seen from this president is a series of lies, of disrespect for the American people. He campaigned that he would lower costs on Day 1, he would keep people safe and secure. And he has done just the opposite."

"So, I'm going to spend my evening, while he is spewing his misinformation tonight, talking to my constituents about their state of the union and how this administration is impacting them," Clark said.

Feb 24, 2026, 7:15 PM EST

GOP conference chair on high stakes of Trump's speech

ABC News Live "Prime" anchor Linsey Davis spoke with House Republican Conference Chair Lisa McClain of Michigan about President Trump's highly-anticipated address.

McClain previewed what she expects the president to emphasize -- economic progress, tax cuts and affordability -- and weighed in on the political stakes ahead of the midterm elections.

"I think any time this president speaks, it is very, very crucial, right? As the conference messenger, I take my cues from the White House and from our Republican colleagues as to what message we're going to send forward. And the message that we're really trying to send is forward is commonsense, affordability, bringing costs down and bringing wages up, and we do that through less regulation and lower taxes," McClain said.

Feb 24, 2026, 7:18 PM EST

Trump to deliver speech as DHS shutdown continues

Hours before Trump was scheduled to give his speech, the Senate failed to advance a procedural motion to fund the Department of Homeland Security.

By a vote of 50-45, senators for the second time failed to advance House-passed legislation to fund and fully reopen DHS. The first vote, on Feb. 12, failed 52-47. It's now 11 days into the partial government shutdown.

Security fencing surrounds the U.S. Capitol ahead of the State of the Union address, in Washington, February 24, 2026.
Annabelle Gordon/Reuters

A group of five bipartisan senators: Deb Fischer, R-Neb.; Maggie Hassan, D-NH; Rand Paul, R-Ky; Thom Tillis, R-NC; and Sheldon Whitehouse, D-RI, did not vote on Tuesday.

Sen. John Fetterman, D-Penn., voted with Republicans for the appropriations bill. Majority Leader John Thune voted no in order to procedurally make the piece of legislation up for reconsideration.

-ABC News' Isabella Murray

Feb 24, 2026, 6:37 PM EST

Melania Trump's guests are related to her education, tech and foster care initiatives

First lady Melania Trump is bringing two guests to the State of the Union address to help highlight her AI and foster care initiatives.

First lady Melania Trump stands next to her 2025 inaugural gown in the Flag Hall of the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History in Washington, February 20, 2026.
Elizabeth Frantz/Reuters

She'll be joined by Sierra Burns, who is a recipient of the first lady's Foster Youth to Independence Program and Everest Nevraumont, a 10-year old student who has talked about her AI use in her education, according to the first lady's office.

"Sierra and Everest embody my ongoing mission to uplift America’s foster youth and expand opportunity for our next generation through education and technology," Melania Trump said in a statement.

ABC News’ Fritz Farrow

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