CNN’s first reactions to Trump’s State of the Union 2026

The CNN panel discusses President Donald Trump's 2026 State of the Union address, which was the longest on record (0:00).

Here's a breakdown of the key points:

Speech Content and Style (0:23-1:25): Trump delivered a partisan speech with populist economic proposals, blending sharp attacks on Democrats with inspiring stories of Americans. He also used the opportunity to award two Congressional Medals of Honor.

Economic Focus (1:28-2:52): The President emphasized his view of a strong economy, making populist proposals to address energy and housing costs, aiming to provide talking points for Republicans facing re-election.

Congressional Reactions (2:53-4:13): Democrats largely withheld applause, irritating Trump. While some stood for banning insider trading, overall partisan divides were evident.

President Under Pressure (4:14-5:24): Amidst low approval ratings and facing potential power loss, Trump's speech was seen as an offensive strategy, using culturally inflammatory topics to put Democrats on the spot and project strength.

Controversial Incident (5:25-5:55): Rep. Al Green was ejected for holding a sign protesting a video tweeted by Trump that depicted Barack and Michelle Obama as apes.

Impact on Republicans (5:56-7:09): John King noted Trump's approval ratings were down, but the speech aimed to re-energize the Republican base with a solid message on the economy, immigration, and foreign policy, which was crucial for the midterm elections.

Speech Effectiveness (7:10-8:10): While Trump maintained control and skillfully used the gallery to create moments of empathy, some panelists doubted the speech would persuade undecided voters, especially regarding the economy.

Democratic Response (8:11-9:10): The upcoming Democratic response from Governor Abigail Spanberger was mentioned. The panel concluded that Trump's speech stylistically highlighted a disconnect between his vision and the country's reality, using "game show-type moments" and awards to create a sense of togetherness and balance his message.