The Scoop: State of the Union leans into spirit of ‘winning’ in Trumpian style

The United States has faced growing tumult in recent months, with an immigration divide, tariff woes and concerns about the economy. One could argue these are uncertain times. But you wouldn’t know it from President Donald Trump’s State of the Union address.

Lasting a record-breaking one hour and forty-seven minutes, Trump addressed Congress in his classic manner. He was candid, he criticized his opponents and he touted his accomplishments as the reason the country is “winning.”

“Our spirit is restored. Inflation is plummeting. Incomes are rising fast. The roaring economy is roaring like never before. Our enemies are scared. Our military and police are stacked. And America is respected again, perhaps like never before,” Trump said early in his speech.

Conservative representatives barely had time to stay seated as Trump listed off win after win, placing blame on democrats for dragging the nation down: “Democrats are destroying our country, but we’ve stopped it just in the nick of time.”

Dems remained less enthusiastic, with a handful of attendees who appeared to be scrolling on their phones. Texas Representative Al Green was once again removed for holding up a “Black people are not apes” sign. Minnesota Representative Ilhan Omar argued with Trump from her seat over the recent killings in her state. Trump was quick to respond that she “should be ashamed.”

Media reactions were mostly rooted in corrections, claiming that Trump’s speech was full of falsehoods or exaggerated details. The AP and FactCheck.org refuted each claim point by point.

The New York Times called it a “spectacle,” a performance that cast Trump as the pinnacle of “American Heroism,” while Fox News called it “profound” and “a great performance” while acknowledging it may do little to sway voters. CNN’s Kaitlan Collins said this was nothing new from the president, noting he became “increasingly irritated” throughout the night.

Why it matters: Trump’s speech wasn’t a surprise. It was Trump being Trump. He doubled down on his claims with the confidence and authority that his supporters have come to love him for.

He made it clear who he sees as the enemy, reinforced himself as a champion of American ideals and didn’t avoid conflict. His message was either a positive outlook on the direction of our country or a distraction from the realities our nation is facing, depending on what side of the aisle you’re on.

Time will tell where voters stand, but it’s clear that Trump has no desire to change course. In his eyes, his strategy has worked twice. Why switch it up now?

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Courtney Blackann is a communications reporter. Connect with her on LinkedIn or email her at [email protected].