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President Donald Trump put on a virtuoso performance Tuesday night. He achieved a number of important goals in his State of the Union address, but it is unclear whether he fundamentally changed the political dynamics of America. Still, it was a great piece of work – with deep messages.
The first and most important message was that the American people should associate the progress, future and success of the country with the administration of Trump and the Republican Party. The president talked about reforms, reforms and, above all, “America’s golden age.” It was moving and uplifting – though not as convincing as he had hoped.
To be sure, Trump made his most compelling case that the problem of unaffordability, which the Democrats used to win the 2025 election, was now under control.
He also made it clear that his Republican Party has policies on health care, retirement, prices and, above all, taxes that he says will benefit the American people in a few ways.
At the same time, in ways I have never heard before, Trump used this speech to criticize not only the Biden administration but also the Democrats in Congress, who did little to present a united basis for the State of the Union.
Between Rep. With Al Green, D-Texas, out of the House chamber for the second year in a row and members of the Squad mocking Trump and wearing button-downs, the Democrats’ message in the 2026 State of the Union was worse than last year. That was especially true given the more than 30 empty seats in the chamber, as some Democrats chose to hold the “State of the Union” — whatever that might be.
Between the attacks on Trump and the behavior of the Democrats, it is difficult to see how the country emerged united after the extraordinary launch that should have gone over the top of the American people. Indeed, one of the strengths of Trump’s speech was that he clearly linked the success of the country to working people – especially the heroes who have achieved amazing things for our nation, past and present. The clear and unequivocal message is this: By standing with Trump and his policies, it was the only way America could achieve the success he spoke of in the context of change, change, above all, the “golden age” that he says is underway.
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The president’s use of imagery was powerful – from the winning US Olympic hockey team to the military heroes seen in the room. It was amazing and moving, and it left me with a sense of pride in our country that I hadn’t felt in years while speaking at the State of the Union.
Still, on Tuesday night, I didn’t get the sense that many minds were changed or that many mid-year voters were swayed by the president’s nearly one-hour, 40-minute speech. While I have absolutely no sympathy for today’s Democratic Party – especially its progressive wing – the level of attack and venom being unleashed on what is traditionally a non-racial event could not be underestimated, even by someone who has spent 50 years in politics.
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At the same time, Trump set the agenda for the midterm elections and made it clear that he would run a populist campaign based on economic development and accessibility, contrasting with the Democratic Party, which he said supports open borders, high taxes and anti-law and order policies.
I’m sure many Americans found the speech moving and compelling in ways that political events rarely accomplish. I’m not sure, however, that the polls will show the fundamental change Trump and Republicans hoped would follow the State of the Union.
Time will tell.
It was especially compelling when Trump asked lawmakers in the room to stand up if they believed in the “fundamental principle” that “the first job of the American government is to protect American citizens, not illegal aliens.” Almost no Democrats are standing.
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The move drew the expected and lengthy applause from Republicans. But I’m not sure, given what polls say about public concern about ICE’s actions, that the moment — unusual as it was — will make immigration the winning issue it was in 2024. Yes, the American people recognize the success of the Trump administration in closing the border. But many now judge the president and his team more on ICE’s actions in major cities than Homeland Security’s work at the border.
President Trump gave a great speech on Tuesday night, but there is still a big challenge: I don’t believe many minds were changed, and Americans were not united.
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