Trump Delivers Record-Long State of the Union as Democrats Clash and Boycott

President Trump delivered the longest State of the Union address on record on Tuesday night, speaking for about 1 hour and 47 minutes, according to Reuters and NJ.com. Al Jazeera put the running time at 1 hour and 48 minutes. Both NJ.com and Al Jazeera noted that it topped Bill Clinton’s 2000 address of roughly 1 hour and 28 minutes.

Trump said he had ushered in “the golden age of America,” pointing to slowing inflation, record stock market highs and lower drug prices, Reuters reported. He called the Supreme Court’s ruling striking down most of his import taxes “unfortunate” while arguing it would have little effect on his trade policy. On Iran, he said, “My preference is to solve this problem through diplomacy,” while vowing that he would never let Tehran obtain a nuclear weapon. He also said 2.4 million people had been lifted off food stamps; NJ.com noted that Democrats say the 2025 tax and spending law cut enrollment in the program.

The chamber was not quiet. Reps. Ilhan Omar and Rashida Tlaib heckled the president, and Omar shouted “You have killed Americans!”, according to NBC News and Al Jazeera. Rep. Al Green was removed after holding up a sign that referred to a video Trump posted this month depicting the Obamas as apes, NBC News, NJ.com and Al Jazeera reported; NBC noted it was the second straight year Green was removed.

Democrats staged a partial boycott: NBC News and NJ.com reported that many skipped the address or attended alternative events, and Al Jazeera described dozens of lawmakers holding a counter-event. Four Supreme Court justices attended, Reuters, NJ.com and Al Jazeera each reported.

Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger delivered the Democratic response. She criticized Trump on affordability, Reuters and Al Jazeera reported, and NBC News and Al Jazeera said she also accused him of corruption and criticized his approach to immigration enforcement and deportations.

Fact-checkers tested several of the president’s claims. ABC News and Al Jazeera both put inflation at 2.4 percent. On drug prices, ABC said the discounts Trump cited mostly apply to limited channels rather than the broad market, and Al Jazeera likewise found the largest discounts on TrumpRx went mainly to cash-paying patients. Both outlets also challenged his claim that Iran’s nuclear program had been wiped out: ABC rated it mostly false because the program was severely damaged but not destroyed, and Al Jazeera reported that experts dispute the claim.

Trump presented the Medal of Honor to Chief Warrant Officer Eric Slover, NJ.com and Al Jazeera reported.