President Donald Trump delivered the longest State of the Union address in modern history Tuesday night, using the moment to mount a forceful defense of Trump’s tariffs, slam the Supreme Court, and insist the US economy is entering a “golden age.”

The speech, which ran 1 hour and 41 minutes, came just days after the US Supreme Court struck down much of his sweeping tariff regime introduced under emergency powers.

Trump Slams Supreme Court Over Tariffs

Calling the decision “a very unfortunate ruling,” Trump criticised what he described as judicial interference in trade policy. Several justices who ruled against the administration were present in the chamber.

Despite the setback, Trump insisted “the deals are all done” and said no congressional action would be needed to keep tariffs in force. He argued that tariffs could eventually “substantially replace the modern-day system of income tax.”

In reality, tariff revenues remain far below income tax receipts. Recent figures show tariffs bringing in roughly $30 billion per month, only a fraction of total federal income tax collections.

Polls suggest the public is skeptical:

  • An ABC News/Washington Post/Ipsos survey found 64% disapprove of Trump’s handling of tariffs.
  • Multiple recent polls show opposition to tariffs running nearly 2-to-1.

Meanwhile, bipartisan groups in Congress have voted to rebuke elements of the tariff agenda, and Democrats are preparing to challenge a new 10% global tariff when it comes up for review in 150 days.

Economy ‘Roaring,’ Trump Says — Polls Tell a Different Story

Trump repeatedly described the economy as booming.

“The roaring economy is roaring like never before.”

He claimed inflation is “plummeting” and that prices for everyday goods are falling sharply.

However, consumer sentiment data shows continued anxiety:

  • The University of Michigan consumer sentiment index recently stood at 56.6, close to 2022 inflation-era lows.
  • RealClearPolitics averages show under 41% approval for Trump’s economic handling.

While inflation has moderated, official CPI data shows:

  • 2.4% year-over-year inflation
  • 2.5% core CPI, excluding food and energy

The president largely dismissed concerns about affordability, arguing that prior Democratic policies caused price increases.

New Policy Promises: 401(k) Match and Housing Crackdown

Trump announced plans for a government-backed retirement program that would match workers’ contributions up to $1,000 annually, targeting Americans without employer-sponsored retirement plans.

He also reiterated his call to block large institutional investors from buying single-family homes, a proposal that echoes some progressive housing policies.

Additionally, Trump floated a “rate payer pledge,” suggesting big tech companies should build their own power plants to support energy-intensive AI data centers.

Immigration, Iran, and Political Clashes

Trump touted what he described as the strongest border enforcement in US history and demanded full restoration of Department of Homeland Security funding amid ongoing disputes.

On foreign policy, he said negotiations with Iran continue but warned he would never allow Tehran to acquire nuclear weapons.

The speech featured visible clashes with Democrats, with some lawmakers protesting and others walking out.

Related: 6 Questions on the Future of Trump’s Tariffs

Fact Check: Key Claims Under Scrutiny

Independent fact-checking organizations raised concerns about several claims made during the address:

According to reporting from The Guardian and CBS News fact-check teams:

  • Tariffs replacing income tax: Economists widely agree tariffs cannot generate revenue on the scale required to replace federal income tax.
  • Egg prices down 60%: Data does not support the magnitude of decline cited.
  • Inflation claims: Inflation has cooled but remains above pre-pandemic levels.
  • “No tax on Social Security”: The president’s proposal would adjust deductions but would not eliminate taxation of benefits outright.
  • Stock market as economic proof: Analysts note that market performance does not reflect broader affordability concerns.

Fact-check references:

Political Stakes Ahead of Midterms

With midterm elections less than nine months away, Trump’s economic message appears aimed at reinforcing confidence rather than adjusting tone.

Democrats are focusing heavily on affordability and cost-of-living issues, while Republicans continue to emphasize growth, deregulation, and trade renegotiation.

Related: Trump threatens countries that ‘play games’ with existing trade deals

Whether Trump’s assertive stance on tariffs and the economy resonates with voters remains uncertain, but the Supreme Court ruling has clearly reshaped the trade debate heading into 2026.

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