4m agoWed 25 Feb 2026 at 5:15am
Republicans take a tumble, literally
US representatives Lauren Boebert and Claudia Tenney have both fallen over as the president left the House.
Well, to be clear, Boebert was standing on a chair and she fell, but made sure to pull her Republican colleague down with her.
Here’s how it played out in a series of images:
(Reuters)
(Reuters)
(Reuters)
19m agoWed 25 Feb 2026 at 4:59am
Trump laid out reasons for a possible attack on Iran
In his speech, Trump pointed to Iran’s support for militant groups, its killing of protesters, and the country’s missile and nuclear programs as threats to the region and the United States.
“The [Iranian] regime and its murderous proxies have spread nothing but terrorism and death and hate,” the Republican said about 90 minutes into his annual address to a joint session of the Senate and House of Representatives.
He accused Iran of restarting its nuclear program and working to build missiles that would “soon” be capable of reaching the US.
He added that Iran was responsible for roadside bombings that had killed US service members and civilians.
35m agoWed 25 Feb 2026 at 4:43am
Trump largely stuck to the script
President Donald Trump delivered a relatively disciplined performance by his standards.
He largely stuck to prepared remarks and was clearly using the teleprompter regularly to stay on song.
His advisors will likely be pleased that he avoided the sometimes-bizarre asides that often creep in during his speeches.
As he entered the House, Trump shook hands with the assembled Supreme Court justices — even as he had publicly lashed out at them days earlier after they curtailed his power to levy tariffs.
He also went on to lash out at them during his speech.
Overall, it could be described as a dark speech as he described the murder of a Ukrainian immigrant in extremely graphic detail.
For Trump, though, it appeared an on-message performance.
41m agoWed 25 Feb 2026 at 4:37am
More on the role of the designated survivor
What is a designated survivor, you ask?
Consider it a calamity clause — a rather grim job given to one senior government official during the State of the Union address.
Virtually all members of the government are expected to be in the room when the president gives their speech.
In the unlikely event that something cataclysmic were to happen to the people in that chamber, the government would be wiped out.
So each year, one person is nominated to sit out of the event to preserve the presidential line of succession.
43m agoWed 25 Feb 2026 at 4:35am
Who was the designated survivor?
On a lighter note , do we know who the ‘designated survivor is?
It’s normally announced before the speech I think ?
– Phillip
Hi Phillip,
That’s a great question, and one which Lewis and I wanted the answer to ahead of Donald Trump’s speech.
There was plenty of speculation, but no official confirmation before the president took his place on the dais.
But it turns out it was Secretary of Veterans Affairs Doug Collins. If you recognise the name, it might be because he was the designated survivor last year as well.
Meanwhile, the Democrats nominated California representative Mike Thompson, who said he was watching the president’s speech from a secure location. His role was not so necessary, though, because Democrats were scattered among several events this evening.
53m agoWed 25 Feb 2026 at 4:25am
Spanberger highlights Democrats’ election momentum
Spanberger is spotlighting a raft of recent blue wins in battleground states, where Democratic candidates have “done the impossible”.
She counts herself as one of those candidates after flipping a historically red governorship by 15 points when she was elected last year.
Democrats hope to continue this momentum at the midterms later this year, where they have a real possibility of regaining control of the US House of Representatives.
As a rule of thumb, the party to which the sitting president belongs usually loses House seats at midterm elections.
This has had Donald Trump and Republicans worried for months because the party can’t afford to lose many seats if it is to hold onto its majority in the House, and therefore, its ability to pass laws without having to negotiate with Democrats.
To insulate against this, the president urged Republican state governments to change their electoral maps to give their party advantages — a practice known as gerrymandering.
Some Democratic leaders, particularly in California, fought back by making similar changes in their favour.
While the GOP has so far gained a slight edge in this tug of war, it’s not yet clear whether it will make any difference in who ends up in control of Congress by the end of the year.
I took a closer look at the gerrymandering arms race back in October, when it first kicked off.
You can read that via the link below.Â
55m agoWed 25 Feb 2026 at 4:23amSpanberger says Trump is using presidency to enrich himself
In her response to Trump’s State of the Union address, Ms Spanberger said the president was “trying to pit us against each other”.
She asked, “Who benefits from his rhetoric, his policies, his actions and the short list of laws he has pushed through this Republican Congress?
“He is enriching himself, his family, his friends,” she adds.
“The scale of the corruption is unprecedented.”
Ms Spanberger then lists the “cover-up of the Epstein files”, crypto scams, and putting his name and face on buildings in Washington.
“This is not what our founders envisioned, not by a long shot,” she says.
1h agoWed 25 Feb 2026 at 4:18am’Is the president working for you?’ Democrats ask in rebuttal speech
(Reuters: Steve Helber)
Virginia Governor Abigail Spanberger is flicking through a range of topics as she rebuts Donald Trump’s State of the Union speech.
She has so far touched on his economic and immigration records — both key areas the Democrats are focusing on ahead of the midterm elections later this year.
“Is the president working for you?” she asks. “We all know the answer is no.”
On immigration, she zeros in on the controversial activities of ICE agents.
“They have ripped nursing mothers away from their children, … and they have killed American citizens in our streets, and they have done it all with their faces masked from accountability,” she says.
“Our president told us tonight that we are safer. Because these agents arrest mothers and children? Think about that.”
1h agoWed 25 Feb 2026 at 4:18amBut wait, there’s more!
Donald Trump may be finished speaking, but the night is certainly not over in Washington, DC.
It’s now the Democrats’ turn for a reply. This rebuttal is being delivered by Virginia Governor Abigail Spanberger.Â
We’ll bring you some of her comments shortly.
1h agoWed 25 Feb 2026 at 4:13am
‘They need to be removed’: Protesters gather at National Mall
I mentioned earlier that I’ve been at the “People’s State of the Union” on the National Mall.
Zina Pelkey, 83, who brought a homemade sign, said it was her responsibility as an American citizen to come and protest.
“It’s my duty to speak out because of this dreadful administration that has done so much damage on so many fronts.
“They’ve destroyed the environment. ICE is killing people. They’re unlawful. They don’t follow our Constitution. They don’t follow judges’ decisions. They need to be removed.”
(ABC News: Rachel Clayton)
Pelkey said she wouldn’t be watching the speech.
“I don’t think I have the stomach for it. I’ll listen to it on the news stations that I follow tomorrow morning to hear the key points. But the man is not a rational human being. He’s not going to tell us anything but a pack of lies.”
1h agoWed 25 Feb 2026 at 4:09am
Objection to the Trump administration at ‘People’s State of the Union’ event
As the vice-president and the president made their way to the Capitol, a few hundred people gathered outside — some wrapped in blankets, some holding homemade signs — to voice their objections to the Trump administration.
The event — called the “People’s State of the Union” — was briefly interrupted by a Trump supporter who evaded security, ran on stage to shout his support for the president, before running off, chased by security.
Many people in attendance held signs calling for the full release of the Epstein files, others called for better healthcare for the LGBTIQA+ community, and for immigration enforcement agents to stop detaining immigrants.
(Reuters)
Lisa Whitley told the ABC, Mr Trump’s second term so far had been a “dumpster fire”.
“I’m just going to say dumpster fire. I cannot point to one positive thing,” she said.
“Unless he gets up and says, ‘Hey, I’m going to start following the law,’ that would be good. But that’s not going to happen. But that is the main issue.
Lisa Whitley. (ABC News)
“I think the main issue is, in fact, the lack of respect of the law and the Constitution. Not just him, but the entire GOP, which has also abdicated their responsibility to follow the law and hold him accountable. And that is really the root of everything that’s followed, whether it’s ICE, tariffs or what have you — it all comes down to a fundamental disrespect of the Constitution.”
1h agoWed 25 Feb 2026 at 4:04am
Trump’s speech is the longest State of the Union address in history
We’ve received a few comments asking if this is the usual length of a State of the Union address.
At 1 hour and 41 minutes, this was actually the longest State of the Union speech in history.Â
(Reuters: Jessica Koscielniak/Pool)1h agoWed 25 Feb 2026 at 4:03amTrump ends speech with poetic pro-America words
The US president began to wind down his State of the Union address with a series of poetic and somewhat uplifting words.
“Because when the world needs courage, daring, vision, and inspiration, it still turns to America,” he said.
“There is no challenge Americans cannot overcome,” he added.
In his final few lines, Trump said, “the golden age of America is now upon us”, and the House erupted in noise once more. Again, some supportive of the president, others not.
He promised, “the future will be bigger, better, brighter, bolder, and more glorious than ever before” before signing off and slowly walking out.
1h agoWed 25 Feb 2026 at 4:00am
100yo veteran honoured with Congressional Medal of Honor
We appear to be nearing the end of the speech now.
Trump has been sporadically handing out medals and awards to some of his guests.
The room is currently giving an extended cheer and applause to Captain Royce Williams, a 100-year-old retired military captain who fought in World War II, Korea and the Vietnam War, flying more than 220 missions.
The president has just awarded Williams the Congressional Medal of Honor.Â
“Tonight, at 100 years old, this brave captain is finally getting the recognition he deserves,” Trump says. “He was a legend long before this evening.”
When the cheers subside, Trump remarks that he has “always wanted the Congressional Medal of Honor”.
“But I was informed I’m not allowed to give it to myself,” he says, eliciting some laughter in the room.
“I don’t know why I’d be taking it, but if they ever open up that law, I will be there with you someday.”
Another roll of laughter.
“But that’s our highest honour — the Congressional Medal of Honor. That’s a big thing. It’s an honour to be in
the same room with you.”
1h agoWed 25 Feb 2026 at 3:53am
Trump brings out former Venezuelan political prisoner
“America’s armed forces overwhelmed all defences and utterly defeated an enemy … to end the reign of outlaw dictator Nicolás Maduro,” Trump says.
He promises that Maduro will face “American justice”, and that his capture was an “absolutely colossal victory for the security of the United States”.
The US president then goes on to explain that he thinks Maduro’s arrest will “open up a bright new beginning for the people of Venezuela”, and introduces a young girl called Alejandra Gonzalez.
Trump says Alejandra’s uncle, Enrique, was a political prisoner under the Maduro regime after he ran for president in the country.
Venezuelan former presidential candidate Enrique Marquez (Reuters)
“Alejandra, I’m pleased to inform you that not only has your uncle been released, but he is here tonight,” Trump says.
Enrique is then introduced to the audience, and the camera pans to him.
“Thank you, Enrique. Have a nice time. Nice to have you back, Enrique,” Trump says.
1h agoWed 25 Feb 2026 at 3:49am
Democrats are dipping out
One side of the room appears to be slowly thinning out. More and more Democrats are quietly leaving in what appears to be a silent protest.
Some Democrats never showed up tonight, instead holding their own events in Washington.
One event called “State of the Swamp” had celebrities like Robert DeNiro and Mark Ruffalo reportedly attending.
Trump has, for the most part, remained on script. He has only spoken off the cuff in short moments, before quickly returning to his written remarks.
Nevertheless, this is still a very long speech. You can see some people are starting to get weary, especially those standing.
1h agoWed 25 Feb 2026 at 3:44am
Trump says ‘nobody wants to go fishing anymore’ after US drone strikes
Speaking about the US military campaign on the importation of narcotics through South America, Trump delivered a rather dark joke.
“With our new military campaign, we have stopped record amounts of drugs coming into our country, and virtually stopped it completely coming in by water or sea,” he said.
“You have probably noticed that,” he shouts, referring to the US drone strikes on fishing boats in the Pacific Ocean.
“We very seriously damaged their fishing industry also. Nobody wants to go fishing anymore,” he adds, laughing and encouraging the audience to laugh with him.
1h agoWed 25 Feb 2026 at 3:40amTrump says US preferencing diplomacy over military action in Iran negotiations
“As president, I will make peace wherever I can, but I will never hesitate to confront threats to America wherever we must,” Trump continues.
He reminds the audience of the US air strikes on Iran last year.
“For decades, it had been the policy of the United States never to allow Iran to obtain a nuclear weapon. Many decades.”
“After Midnight Hammer, they were warned to make no future attempts to rebuild their weapons program, and in particular, nuclear weapons. Yet, they starting it all over. We wiped it out, and they want to start
all over again. And they are at this moment again pursuing their sinister ambitions.”
Trump says the US is currently engaged in negotiations with Iran, but the country has not yet vowed never to develop a nuclear weapon.
“My preference is to solve this problem through diplomacy.
“But one thing is certain: I will never allow the world’s number one sponsor of terror, which they are by far, have a nuclear weapon. Can’t let that happen.”
The president says he is rebuilding the military to promote “peace through strength”.
(Reuters: Evelyn Hockstein)
1h agoWed 25 Feb 2026 at 3:34am
Trump shifts focus to international record
Trump is onto his international affairs record now.
“My first ten months, I ended eight wars,” he says.
“Cambodia and Thailand, Pakistan and India would have been a nuclear war. Thirty-five million people, said [the] prime minister of Pakistan, would have died if it were not for my involvement.”
It’s not the first time he’s said this, and while he has helped mediate relations among several nations, his influence isn’t so clear-cut.
The conflicts he counts as ending are:
Israel and HamasIsrael and IranEgypt and EthiopiaIndia and PakistanSerbia and KosovoRwanda and CongoArmenia and AzerbaijanCambodia and Thailand
For one, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has insisted the war against Hamas is not over, despite the ceasefire.
And though Trump is credited with ending the 12-day conflict between Israel and Iran last year, some experts would suggest this is just a temporary respite from an ongoing cold war.
Meanwhile, fighting has broken out between Cambodia and Thailand since Trump brokered a peace deal between the two nations, and Congolese forces still clash with Rwanda-backed rebels.
A peace framework signed by the leaders of Armenia and Azerbaijan at the White House last year has also not yet ushered in a peace treaty that could end the decades-long conflict between the two nations.
After the killing of tourists in Indian-controlled Kashmir pushed India and Pakistan closer to war than they had been in years last April, a ceasefire was reached. Trump claimed the US brokered the ceasefire and Pakistan thanked him, while India denied his claims.
Friction between Egypt and Ethiopia over the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam is best described as heightened tensions, not war.
There has been no threat of war between Serbia and Kosovo during Trump’s second term, nor has he made any significant contribution to improving relations in his first year back in the White House.
“… And we’re working very hard to end the ninth war between Russia and Ukraine, where 25,000 soldiers killed every month,” Trump continues.
Reporting with AP
1h agoWed 25 Feb 2026 at 3:30am
Trump says National Guard has been a ‘big success’
Trump has made the claim that “crime in Washington DC is at the lowest level ever recorded”.
“Last summer, I deployed our National Guard and law enforcement to restore law and order to our most dangerous cities, including Memphis, Tennessee — big success. New Orleans, Louisiana — big success! And our capital itself, Washington DC,” he says.
“We have almost no crime anymore in Washington DC. How did that happen?” he asks as the crowd applauds.
Washington DC’s Metropolitan Police website says for 2026 to date, there have been 2,552 total crimes committed in the district.
That is a decrease of 30%Â compared with the same time period last year, the data shows.
Trump added that “murders in DC in January were down close to 100% from a year ago”.
The DC police site shows homicides are down 67% in 2026.