Trump's 2026 State of the Union: 'The State of Our Union Is Strong,' Trump Accounts and a War on Fraud (February 24, 2026)

Donald Trump began his 2026 State of the Union address at 9:12 p.m. on Feb. 24 [1] and spoke for about an hour and 48 minutes, breaking Bill Clinton’s 2000 mark for the longest State of the Union in modern tracking, Fox News reported [2]. “But tonight, after just 1 year, I can say with dignity and pride that we have achieved a transformation like no one has ever seen before and a turnaround for the ages,” he declared [1]. He touted the economy and the border, promoted new savings accounts for children, called on Congress to ban stock trading by its members and announced a “war on fraud” to be led by Vice President JD Vance. Quotes are from the official transcript published by the American Presidency Project [1].

Key Moments

”The state of our Union is strong”

Trump described the country he inherited as “a nation in crisis, with a stagnant economy, inflation at record levels, a wide-open border,” and the country now as one where “our border is secure, our spirit is restored, inflation is plummeting, incomes are rising fast.” He said the stock market had “set 53 alltime record highs since the election” and that “the typical 401(k) balance is up by at least $30,000.” His verdict: “Members of Congress, the state of our Union is strong.” He also looked ahead to July 4 and “the 250th anniversary of our glorious American independence” [1].

Inflation had cooled in his first year back. Bureau of Labor Statistics data show the 12-month rate fell to 2.4% in January 2026, the latest reading at the time of the speech, from 3.0% in January 2025 [3].

Al Green, again

Early in the speech, the official transcript notes, Rep. Al Green of Texas “was escorted from the House Chamber” [1]. A year earlier, the House had censured Green for disrupting Trump’s 2025 address to Congress [12], as HYGO News reported in its page on that speech.

Tariffs after “an unfortunate ruling”

On Feb. 20, the Supreme Court ruled 6-3 in Learning Resources, Inc. v. Trump that the International Emergency Economic Powers Act does not authorize the president to impose tariffs. Justices Clarence Thomas, Samuel Alito and Brett Kavanaugh dissented [4]. The same day, Trump imposed a temporary 10% import surcharge under Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974, effective Feb. 24, for 150 days. The law allows a surcharge of up to 15% [5].

In the speech, Trump called the decision “an unfortunate ruling” and said most countries wanted to keep their trade deals anyway. “I believe the tariffs, paid for by foreign countries will, like in the past, substantially replace the modern-day system of income tax,” he said [1].

Trump Accounts and a retirement match

He promoted the “Trump Accounts” created by his 2025 tax law, tax-advantaged investment accounts for children, and credited Michael and Susan Dell for a $6.25 billion gift [1][6]. Under the program, the Treasury makes a one-time $1,000 contribution for U.S. citizens born from 2025 through 2028, and the Dells’ gift adds $250 for the first 25 million children age 10 and under living in ZIP codes with median incomes below $150,000, according to the White House. Contributions open July 4, 2026 [6].

He also announced that “next year, my administration will give these often-forgotten American workers … access to the same type of retirement plan offered to every Federal worker,” with a government match of “up to $1,000 each year” [1].

”Did Nancy Pelosi stand up?”

Calling for a ban on stock trading by members of Congress, Trump urged lawmakers to “pass the Stop Insider Trading Act without delay.” When much of the chamber rose, he asked: “Did Nancy Pelosi stand up, if she’s here?” [1]

Minnesota and “the war on fraud”

Trump then turned to Minnesota, “where members of the Somali community have pillaged an estimated $19 billion from the American taxpayer,” adding, “in actuality, the number is much higher than that.” He announced “the war on fraud to be led by our great Vice President, J.D. Vance,” and said that recovering enough fraud would produce “a balanced budget overnight.” He went on: “The Somali pirates who ransacked Minnesota remind us that there are large parts of the world where bribery, corruption, and lawlessness are the norm,” and he blamed “importing these cultures through unrestricted immigration and open borders” [1].

The crackdown was already underway. As of Jan. 2, 2026, the White House said, the Justice Department had charged 98 defendants in Minnesota fraud-related cases, 85 of them of Somali descent, and 64 had been convicted. Investigators had issued more than 1,750 subpoenas and executed more than 130 search warrants, and the Small Business Administration had suspended 6,900 Minnesota borrowers over about $400 million in suspected fraud [7].

Homeland security and “the ninth war”

“As we speak, Democrats in this Chamber have cut off all funding for the Department of Homeland Security,” Trump said. “Tonight I’m demanding the full and immediate restoration of all funding for the border security, homeland security of the United States” [1]. He also listed the conflicts he said he had settled, including “Israel and Iran,” and said he was working to end “the ninth war,” between Russia and Ukraine [1].

By the Numbers

About 1 hour, 48 minutes: the length of the speech, a modern record for a State of the Union, according to Fox News [2].
2.4%: the 12-month inflation rate in January 2026, down from 3.0% a year earlier [3].
$6.25 billion: the Dells’ gift to Trump Accounts [6].
$1,000: the Treasury’s one-time contribution for each eligible child born from 2025 through 2028 [6].
98: defendants charged in Minnesota fraud-related cases as of Jan. 2, 2026, with 64 convicted [7].
$259.5 million: federal Medicaid funding the administration held back from Minnesota the next day [8].
6-3: the Supreme Court’s vote in the tariff case [4].

What Happened Next

The war on fraud began the next day. On Feb. 25, Vance announced that the administration would “temporarily halt” some Medicaid funding to Minnesota, the AP reported. Dr. Mehmet Oz, administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, said the federal government would hold off on paying $259.5 million. “We will give them the money, but we’re going to hold it and only release it after they propose and act on a comprehensive corrective action plan to solve the problem,” Oz said [8].

Operation Epic Fury. On Feb. 28, four days after the speech, Trump announced that “the United States military began major combat operations in Iran.” “Our objective is to defend the American people by eliminating imminent threats from the Iranian regime,” he said [9]. The White House named the campaign Operation Epic Fury [10].

Homeland Security funded. On April 30, Trump signed H.R. 7147, the Homeland Security and Further Additional Continuing Appropriations Act, 2026, restoring funding for the department [11].