By Annie Linskey

President Trump's State of the Union address opened and ended with references to the Revolutionary War and the country's upcoming 250th Anniversary. It was heavy on heroism-and heroes-and while Trump took some shots at Democrats, the speech largely avoided the kinds of crass sparring that have marked other addresses.

It was an address focused on vibes. Despite the length, it contained few bold new domestic programs or any big foreign policy announcements. He touted the Save Act to tighten voting rules-but didn't demand Republicans blow up the Senate's filibuster to get it done.

To be sure, there were tense moments: The most dramatic came as Trump recounted his mass deportation efforts, which ejected tens of thousands of people from the country, including criminals, but have also led to the harassment of American citizens and the deaths of two in Minnesota.

The president kept the early portions of the speech, which typically have the highest viewership, focused on the economy and Republican efforts to reduce taxes, emphasizing messages that will keep GOP admakers and pollsters happy. He saved the second portion for foreign policy-efforts that often take up much of Trump's time but typically don't move the needle with voters.

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(END) Dow Jones Newswires

February 24, 2026 23:19 ET (04:19 GMT)

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