Heckles, expulsion, cheers: Top moments from Trump’s State of the Union speech
France 24
by FRANCE 24February 25, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
President Donald Trump delivered the longest State of the Union speech in US history during his second term, marking a record-breaking 1 hour and 47 minutes. The address took place amid heightened tensions as a deeply divided Congress listened to his remarks, with several dramatic moments capturing attention. From Supreme Court clashes to acts of resistance by Democrats, the speech highlighted the ongoing political divides in the country.
One of the most notable moments occurred when Trump addressed the recent Supreme Court ruling that struck down his signature tariffs. While expressing displeasure over the decision, he quickly shifted focus to discussing potential legal workarounds to maintain the tariffs. This move underscored the ongoing tension between the executive and judicial branches, with three justices who had ruled against him present in the audience.
The speech also saw rare moments of unity, such as when the gold medal-winning US men's Olympic hockey team entered the Capitol. The entire audience rose to their feet, cheering "USA! USA!" in a display of bipartisan support for the athletes, who had brought home America’s first ice hockey gold medal in over four decades.
However, the speech was not without conflict. Democratic lawmakers demonstrated their resistance in various ways. Some skipped the event entirely, while others attended but largely remained seated except during specific moments, such as when wearing pins or clothing symbolic of their causes. Notably, Representative Al Green was expelled after holding up a sign addressing racial tensions tied to a racist video shared by Trump on social media.
Tensions reached new heights when Congresswoman Ilhan Omar heckled Trump directly during his speech, leading to an exchange that highlighted the deepening partisan divisions. These incidents reflected the broader struggles in US politics and underscored the ongoing battles over immigration policies and civil rights. The record-breaking length of Trump’s address also marked a significant shift in the tradition of such speeches, which are typically used to unite the nation but often serve as platforms for political grandstanding.
This State of the Union speech not only set a new precedent in its duration but also served as a microcosm of the broader challenges facing American politics. The combination of high drama, resistance, and unity moments made it a defining moment in Trump’s second term and a key event for anyone following global or US political developments.
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Originally published on France 24 on 2/25/2026