State of the Union 2026: Top moments from Trump's speech

President Donald Trump has provided his annual update on America as part of his annual State of the Union address.

In what became the longest-ever address of its kind, Trump offered victorious - and sometimes combative - remarks, praising the work of fellow Republicans and outlining his future agenda.

The annual address by the president is made to members of the US Congress, his cabinet, members of the Supreme Court - along with the president's family and other guests.

The speech came at a particularly pivotal time for the president, with tensions flaring in Iran, his global tariffs being thrown out by the nation's highest court and continued worries over affordability in the US - an issue that could help him lose full control of the US Congress in midterm elections later this year.

Here are five key takeaways from his evening in the spotlight, speaking to a sharply divided Congress and an audience of tens of millions of Americans.

1. All eyes on the (half-missing) Supreme Court

It was the first time Trump - at least publicly - came into contact with members of the Supreme Court since he railed against them over their decision to throw out his global tariffs.

Typically, the full court is in attendance for a president's state of the union address but on Tuesday, only four of the nine were present: Chief Justice John Roberts and justice Amy Coney Barrett, Elena Kagan and Brett Kavanaugh.

When Trump entered the room, he shook the hands of various lawmakers and then reached the justices in the front row. As is customary, Trump shook the hand of Roberts as he moved to the podium, but the pair shared a stoic look - a possible sign of the lingering tension since the president lambasted the six justices, Roberts included, who ruled against the levies.

Later, when Trump referenced that ruling and his tariffs policy directly in his remarks, he again chastised the justices, though not as harshly as he had previously. The camera in the room pointed in the direction of justice Amy Coney Barrett - who was nominated by Trump during his first term and also ruled against his tariffs.

She remained emotionless as Trump called the ruling "disappointing" and "unfortunate", staring in the direction of the justices sitting just feet away from him in the front row of the chamber.

Trump continued, saying he would turn to other laws to push his tariff policy ahead - including the new 15% tariff that he announced would replace those struck down by the high court.

That new tariff was imposed by a proclamation signed by Trump under a never-used law known as Section 122, which gives the power to put in place tariffs up to 15% for 150 days, at which point Congress must step in.

On Tuesday, Trump said "congressional action will not be necessary" later, saying that the tariffs will replace the income tax, and indicating what some have expressed concern over - he may not follow the law.

2. Democrat removed from the room - again

It's become almost routine for the president's annual address to lead to protests from the opposing party.

Dozens of Democrats, including some in leadership, sat out from Trump's speech and instead turned to a handful of rallies in Washington in opposition of the president and his agenda.

Inside the chamber, the lack of Democrats on one side of the aisle was visibly clear with rows of empty seats seen from many camera angles.

Some of the remaining Democrats in the room also lodged their own protests.

Congressman Al Greene, of Texas, was escorted out of the chamber - for a second year in a row. As Trump entered the chamber, Green held up a white sign emblazoned with black lettering reading, "black people aren't apes!"

The sign appeared to be referencing a racist video posted and subsequently deleted by Trump on social media, showing former President Barack Obama and former First Lady Michelle Obama as apes.

The sign and the lawmaker's shouting led to him being escorted from the chamber by several officials. During Trump's address last year, Greene also was escorted out after shouting.

Congresswoman Ilhan Omar, a Democrat from Minnesota, also repeatedly was heard shouted at the president as he referenced immigration and alleged fraud in Minnesota's Somali-American communities.

"That's a lie, you're a liar," Omar shouted as Trump spoke over her.

3. Politics and patriotism?

In a movie-like entrance, the US men's hockey team descended into the House chamber, from an overhang where members of the press were seated above Trump.

Those in the audience erupted in applause and chants of U-S-A.

The team's appearance was teased this week in the wake of the gold-medal overtime victory against Canada on Sunday in the Winter Olympics.

Trump applauded the team's victory as they looked on the chamber, gold medals in hand and announced that Connor Hellebuyck, goalie of the team, would receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian honour.

Patriotism was a central theme of Trump's speech, noting celebrations later this summer planned for the country's 250th anniversary. But he also used those issues as a way to showcase divisions in the country.

At one point, he asked those in the audience - which was largely members of Congress - to stand if they agreed with this sentence: "The first duty of the American government is to protect American citizens, not illegal aliens".

Cameras panned around the room and showed Republicans on their feet cheering, while the other half of the room was seated motionless.

Trump noted several times that Democrats were not cheering or standing as he listed off his administration's actions and policy wins.

"These people are crazy. I'm telling you. They're crazy," he said about Democrats at one point.