5 Highlights From Trump’s 2026 State of the Union
What's the endgame here?
President Donald Trump highlighted the successful raid in Venezuela, the U.S. triumph at the Olympics, and new plans for tariffs and affordability in his first official State of the Union address of his second term.
Here are five highlights from his speech on Tuesday night.
1. Honoring a Hero of Raid to Capture Maduro
Trump put a spotlight on Chinook helicopter pilot Chief Warrant Officer Eric Slover, who was injured in the raid to capture Venezuelan President Nicholas Maduro.
Slover was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor for his role in the operation.
While piloting the helicopter, Slover was hit in the leg and hip by enemy machine gun fire but continued to carry out the mission.
“He absorbed four agonizing shots, shredding his leg into numerous pieces,” Trump said. “And yet, despite the fact that the use of his legs was vital to a successful helicopter flight, flying a helicopter to deliver the many commandos who would capture and detain Maduro was the only thing Eric was thinking about.”
“Even as he was gushing blood which was flowing down the aisle, the helicopter landed at a steep angle,” Trump said.
Trump also reunited a former Venezuelan prisoner of war with his niece for the first time.
“I’m pleased to inform you that not only has your uncle been released, but he is here tonight,” Trump said. “We brought him over to celebrate his freedom with you in person.”
2. Calling for the SAVE America Act
“We have to stop it, John,” Trump said to Republican Senate Majority Leader John Thune about illegal immigrants voting in America.
Trump called on the Senate to pass the SAVE America Act, which requires proof of citizenship to register to vote and a photo ID to vote in federal elections.
“Why would anybody not want a voter ID?” Trump asked. “One reason is because they want to cheat.”
“They want to cheat,” he said. “They have cheated, and their policy is so bad that the only way they can get elected is to cheat, and we’re going to stop it.”
Trump called out Democrats for refusing to put American citizens ahead of illegal aliens.
“If you agree with this statement, please stand up,” Trump said. “The first duty of the American government is to protect American citizens and not illegal aliens.”
Many Democrats did not stand.
3. Hockey Player Gets Medal of Freedom
Trump announced that Connor Hellebuyck, the U.S. men’s hockey team’s goaltender, will receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
After the U.S. beat Canada in the 2026 Winter Olympics finals on Sunday, Trump welcomed the team to his first State of the Union address.
Trump described the medal as “the highest civilian honor.”
President Trump announces he will be awarding Connor Hellebuyck, the U.S. Men's Hockey Team goalkeeper, the Presidential Medal of Freedom
— The Daily Signal (@DailySignal) February 25, 2026
The hockey team received a standing ovation from the crowd as they entered the chamber, with the exception of some Democrats who refused to stand.
4. New Retirement Plans
Trump announced a new initiative to create retirement savings plans for workers who don’t have one provided by their employer.
“Since I took office, …
What's the endgame here?
President Donald Trump highlighted the successful raid in Venezuela, the U.S. triumph at the Olympics, and new plans for tariffs and affordability in his first official State of the Union address of his second term.
Here are five highlights from his speech on Tuesday night.
1. Honoring a Hero of Raid to Capture Maduro
Trump put a spotlight on Chinook helicopter pilot Chief Warrant Officer Eric Slover, who was injured in the raid to capture Venezuelan President Nicholas Maduro.
Slover was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor for his role in the operation.
While piloting the helicopter, Slover was hit in the leg and hip by enemy machine gun fire but continued to carry out the mission.
“He absorbed four agonizing shots, shredding his leg into numerous pieces,” Trump said. “And yet, despite the fact that the use of his legs was vital to a successful helicopter flight, flying a helicopter to deliver the many commandos who would capture and detain Maduro was the only thing Eric was thinking about.”
“Even as he was gushing blood which was flowing down the aisle, the helicopter landed at a steep angle,” Trump said.
Trump also reunited a former Venezuelan prisoner of war with his niece for the first time.
“I’m pleased to inform you that not only has your uncle been released, but he is here tonight,” Trump said. “We brought him over to celebrate his freedom with you in person.”
2. Calling for the SAVE America Act
“We have to stop it, John,” Trump said to Republican Senate Majority Leader John Thune about illegal immigrants voting in America.
Trump called on the Senate to pass the SAVE America Act, which requires proof of citizenship to register to vote and a photo ID to vote in federal elections.
“Why would anybody not want a voter ID?” Trump asked. “One reason is because they want to cheat.”
“They want to cheat,” he said. “They have cheated, and their policy is so bad that the only way they can get elected is to cheat, and we’re going to stop it.”
Trump called out Democrats for refusing to put American citizens ahead of illegal aliens.
“If you agree with this statement, please stand up,” Trump said. “The first duty of the American government is to protect American citizens and not illegal aliens.”
Many Democrats did not stand.
3. Hockey Player Gets Medal of Freedom
Trump announced that Connor Hellebuyck, the U.S. men’s hockey team’s goaltender, will receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
After the U.S. beat Canada in the 2026 Winter Olympics finals on Sunday, Trump welcomed the team to his first State of the Union address.
Trump described the medal as “the highest civilian honor.”
President Trump announces he will be awarding Connor Hellebuyck, the U.S. Men's Hockey Team goalkeeper, the Presidential Medal of Freedom
— The Daily Signal (@DailySignal) February 25, 2026
The hockey team received a standing ovation from the crowd as they entered the chamber, with the exception of some Democrats who refused to stand.
4. New Retirement Plans
Trump announced a new initiative to create retirement savings plans for workers who don’t have one provided by their employer.
“Since I took office, …
5 Highlights From Trump’s 2026 State of the Union
What's the endgame here?
President Donald Trump highlighted the successful raid in Venezuela, the U.S. triumph at the Olympics, and new plans for tariffs and affordability in his first official State of the Union address of his second term.
Here are five highlights from his speech on Tuesday night.
1. Honoring a Hero of Raid to Capture Maduro
Trump put a spotlight on Chinook helicopter pilot Chief Warrant Officer Eric Slover, who was injured in the raid to capture Venezuelan President Nicholas Maduro.
Slover was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor for his role in the operation.
While piloting the helicopter, Slover was hit in the leg and hip by enemy machine gun fire but continued to carry out the mission.
“He absorbed four agonizing shots, shredding his leg into numerous pieces,” Trump said. “And yet, despite the fact that the use of his legs was vital to a successful helicopter flight, flying a helicopter to deliver the many commandos who would capture and detain Maduro was the only thing Eric was thinking about.”
“Even as he was gushing blood which was flowing down the aisle, the helicopter landed at a steep angle,” Trump said.
Trump also reunited a former Venezuelan prisoner of war with his niece for the first time.
“I’m pleased to inform you that not only has your uncle been released, but he is here tonight,” Trump said. “We brought him over to celebrate his freedom with you in person.”
2. Calling for the SAVE America Act
“We have to stop it, John,” Trump said to Republican Senate Majority Leader John Thune about illegal immigrants voting in America.
Trump called on the Senate to pass the SAVE America Act, which requires proof of citizenship to register to vote and a photo ID to vote in federal elections.
“Why would anybody not want a voter ID?” Trump asked. “One reason is because they want to cheat.”
“They want to cheat,” he said. “They have cheated, and their policy is so bad that the only way they can get elected is to cheat, and we’re going to stop it.”
Trump called out Democrats for refusing to put American citizens ahead of illegal aliens.
“If you agree with this statement, please stand up,” Trump said. “The first duty of the American government is to protect American citizens and not illegal aliens.”
Many Democrats did not stand.
3. Hockey Player Gets Medal of Freedom
Trump announced that Connor Hellebuyck, the U.S. men’s hockey team’s goaltender, will receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
After the U.S. beat Canada in the 2026 Winter Olympics finals on Sunday, Trump welcomed the team to his first State of the Union address.
Trump described the medal as “the highest civilian honor.”
President Trump announces he will be awarding Connor Hellebuyck, the U.S. Men's Hockey Team goalkeeper, the Presidential Medal of Freedom
— The Daily Signal (@DailySignal) February 25, 2026
The hockey team received a standing ovation from the crowd as they entered the chamber, with the exception of some Democrats who refused to stand.
4. New Retirement Plans
Trump announced a new initiative to create retirement savings plans for workers who don’t have one provided by their employer.
“Since I took office, …
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