U.S. President Donald Trump delivered a historic State of the Union address that has already entered the record books as the longest in American history, lasting one hour and 47 minutes.
Speaking before a joint session of Congress at the United States Capitol, Trump touched on a wide range of issues—from the economy and trade to foreign policy and national security—while navigating a politically charged atmosphere marked by both tension and rare moments of unity.
Here are five standout moments from the landmark address:
Supreme Court showdown
A notable moment of tension emerged early in the evening as Trump acknowledged members of the Supreme Court of the United States in attendance—just days after a ruling that struck down his administration’s global tariff policy.
Addressing the decision during his speech, Trump described the ruling as “very unfortunate” and signaled plans to pursue legal alternatives to maintain the tariffs, underscoring ongoing friction between the executive and judicial branches.
Olympic unity lifts the chamber
Amid deep political divisions, one of the few bipartisan moments came when members of Team USA’s gold medal-winning men’s Olympic hockey team were introduced.
Lawmakers from both parties rose to their feet, chanting “USA! USA!” in a rare show of unity, celebrating the team’s historic achievement—America’s first Olympic gold in men’s ice hockey in over four decades.
Democratic protest and walkouts
The address also highlighted sharp partisan divides. Several Democratic lawmakers boycotted the event entirely, while many who attended remained seated throughout most of the speech.
Some lawmakers wore symbolic white outfits in tribute to the women’s suffrage movement, while others displayed pins referencing accountability in the Jeffrey Epstein case.
In a dramatic moment, Congressman Al Green was escorted out after holding up a protest sign during the session.
Heckling sparks heated exchange
Tensions escalated further when Representative Ilhan Omar interrupted the president mid-speech, shouting criticism over recent federal actions in Minneapolis.
Trump fired back, accusing Democrats of undermining national unity, as the chamber grew increasingly charged. Omar later exited the session before the address concluded, marking one of the most contentious moments of the night.
A new record in presidential speeches
The speech ultimately made history for its length, surpassing the previous record set by former President Bill Clinton in 2000.
At nearly two hours, Trump’s address not only broke records but also reflected the intensity and breadth of issues shaping his second term—delivered against a backdrop of political division, institutional tension, and moments of national pride.
