2026 State of the Union Address: Trump Talks About the Economy, Border Security, and Iran
In a striking political scene within the halls of the U.S. Congress, President Donald Trump launched a series of strong statements during the "State of the Union" address, declaring that the United States has entered _in his words_ the "golden age," and emphasizing that his country has achieved a "historic and unprecedented transformation" in less than a year since the beginning of his second presidential term.
* "America is back stronger than ever"
Amid cheers from Republicans and silence from Democrats, Trump stated that the American nation has become "bigger, better, richer, and stronger than ever before," stressing that his administration has reshaped the American landscape economically and in terms of security in just 13 months since his return to the White House.
He considered that his administration has accomplished what modern history has not seen, stating:
"After just one year, I can proudly say that we have achieved a historic transformation that no one has ever seen before."
* A firm message to Iran: Diplomacy first... but force is on the table
On the most sensitive issue, Trump issued a clear warning to Iran, confirming that his preferred option is to resolve the nuclear crisis through diplomacy, but he stressed at the same time that he "will never allow Iran to possess a nuclear weapon."
He said that Tehran has already developed missiles capable of threatening Europe and U.S. bases abroad, and that it is working on developing missiles that could soon reach American territory.
He added:
"We are in negotiations with them... they want an agreement, but we have not heard from them the secret words: we will never possess a nuclear weapon."
Trump's statements came as the U.S. military presence near Iran continues to strengthen, amid rising fears of a slide into a broader confrontation.
* Economy first: Inflation is declining... but pressures remain
Trump began his speech with the economic file, announcing that inflation "is declining sharply," despite the continued rise in food, housing, insurance, and utility prices compared to previous years.
His focus on the economy comes amid a decline in his popularity and the approach of the midterm congressional elections in November.
* Immigration: "Zero" illegal immigrants
On the immigration file, Trump announced that the U.S. borders have become "secure," confirming that the number of illegal immigrants over the past nine months has reached "zero."
He also pledged to allow only "law-abiding" individuals to enter the country.
He also noted a record drop in crime rates, and a 56% decrease in fentanyl smuggling over the course of a year.
* Energy card: Venezuelan oil returns
In a notable step, Trump revealed that the United States received more than 80million barrels of oil from Venezuela, describing it as a "friendly and new partner."
He confirmed that U.S. oil production has increased by more than 600thousand barrels per day.
This comes after Trump ordered in January the arrest of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro on charges related to drug trafficking and other crimes, before Washington eased oil sanctions on Caracas in an attempt to increase production.
* A speech at a critical political moment
This speech carries special significance, as it comes after a major judicial defeat Trump suffered in the U.S. Supreme Court regarding tariff policy, which was a cornerstone of his second term.
More than 20 Democratic representatives announced their boycott of the session, while civil groups organized protests in Washington against the administration's policies.
Thus, Trump stood for the sixth time on the House of Representatives' platform in an event that brings together the three branches of government and military leadership, presenting his narrative of the state of the nation at a time his supporters describe as a phase of regaining strength, while his critics see it as a time of sharp internal polarization and rising external tensions.
Between a speech overflowing with confidence and intertwined internal and external challenges, the coming months remain crucial for Trump's administration and the future of political balance in Washington.
