State of the Union updates: Trump spars with Dems, touts economy and immigration
ByAlexandra Hutzler, Ivan Pereira, and Meredith Deliso
Last updated: Wednesday, February 25, 2026 5:16AM GMT
President Donald Trump declared during Tuesday's marathon State of the Union that "we're winning so much," saying he'd sparked a jobs and manufacturing boom at home while imposing a new world order abroad - hoping that offering a long list of his accomplishments can counter approval ratings that have been falling.
For the president, the high-profile speech was a chance to make the case directly to millions of Americans ahead of November's midterm elections where control of Congress is at stake.
Fact check of President Trump's State of the Union address
Just over a year into his second term, President Donald Trump is delivering the State of the Union address, making his case for sweeping policy changes and executive actions that have come to define America's current moment.
ABC News is live fact-checking some of the president's statements that may be exaggerated, need more context or are false.
Go here for a look at the full fact check from ABC News.
President Donald Trump delivers the State of the Union address to a joint session of Congress in the House chamber at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, Tuesday, Feb. 24, 2026.
ByWill Weissert
Feb 25, 2026, 2:50 AM GMT
Who's the designated survivor?
They typically start the day as low-profile Cabinet secretaries. They end it that way, too, God willing.
But when the rest of the government is gathered together for a big event, like President Donald Trump's State of the Union address Tuesday night, a designated survivor is kept away to ensure someone in the line of leadership succession stays alive.
The president's pick to sit out this time appeared to be Veterans Affairs Secretary Doug Collins, who was also chosen as the designated survivor last year for the president's address to a joint session of Congress. Collins was not seen in the chamber. The White House did not immediately confirm he was chosen.
Feb 25, 2026, 2:43 AM GMT
'We ended DEI in America'
While touting his accomplishments, Trump said, "We ended DEI in America" -- referring to diversity, equity and inclusion practices, a frequent target of his administration.
Trump said they got a record number of "job-killing regulations" and decreased the number of people on food stamps by 2.4 million.
BySeung Min Kim
Feb 25, 2026, 2:42 AM GMT
Trump invites the USA women's hockey team to the White House
The USA women's hockey team - who, like their male counterparts were champions at the recent Olympics in Milano-Cortina - will get their due from Washington soon.
The women's team had declined an invitation from Trump to attend Tuesday's State of the Union, due to the timing of the address.
As the gold medal-winning men's team made their appearance during the speech, Trump announced that the women's team "will soon be coming to the White House."
Feb 25, 2026, 2:39 AM GMT
Men's Olympic hockey team gets shout out from president
President Trump introduced the men's hockey team at the State of the Union, with athletes entering the House chamber wearing their gold medals.
Goalie Connor Hellebuyck (R) gestures as members of the U.S. Men's Olympic hockey team are recognized by President Donald Trump in Washington, DC, on February 24, 2026.
The team flew to Washington earlier Tuesday on a government plane and spent the day at the White House.
Trump specifically shouted out goalie Connor Hellebuyck for his performance, and said he will be awarding him the Presidential Medal of Freedom -- the nation's highest civilian honor.
