US President Donald Trump hailed his first 13 months in office as “transformative,” but his address also highlighted uncomfortable realities, including vulnerabilities to lawsuits and congressional opposition. The speech underscored the challenges facing a president who relies on executive orders and unilateral actions.
Trump’s most substantial legislative victory was the “Big Beautiful Bill” passed by Congress last year, which codified several agenda items from his campaign. However, fact-checkers challenged his claims about historic tax cuts, and polls show that public perception of Trump’s economic policies has decreased since the bill’s passage.
The speech also touched on affordability, with Trump pitching legislation aimed at addressing high living costs. Despite relying heavily on executive actions, he acknowledged Congress’ importance for many policy initiatives. His statements highlighted a disconnect between his base and the broader public.
Tariffs remain a major question mark over Trump’s economic policies, with some experts questioning their legality and potential for further legal challenges. The speech also touched on DHS, where a standoff has become an increasingly political liability for Republicans.
Trump revisited his claims of widespread election fraud, calling for the passage of the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act, which would create higher documentation requirements when registering to vote. However, rights groups have expressed concerns that the bill could disenfranchise voters.
The annual State of the Union address revealed shifting priorities, with Trump choosing not to discuss foreign policy until over an hour into his speech and skipping mention of some areas like the Department of Government Efficiency.
Source: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/2/26/after-state-of-the-union-trumps-agenda-faces-new-political-reality