Trump expected to pledge 'peace wherever I can' as showdown with Iran looms

State of the Union updates: Trump spars with Dems, touts economy and immigration

ByAlexandra Hutzler, Ivan Pereira, and Meredith Deliso

Last updated: Wednesday, February 25, 2026 5:16AM GMT

President Donald Trump declared during Tuesday's marathon State of the Union that "we're winning so much," saying he'd sparked a jobs and manufacturing boom at home while imposing a new world order abroad - hoping that offering a long list of his accomplishments can counter approval ratings that have been falling.

For the president, the high-profile speech was a chance to make the case directly to millions of Americans ahead of November's midterm elections where control of Congress is at stake.

Fact check of President Trump's State of the Union address

Just over a year into his second term, President Donald Trump is delivering the State of the Union address, making his case for sweeping policy changes and executive actions that have come to define America's current moment.

ABC News is live fact-checking some of the president's statements that may be exaggerated, need more context or are false.

Go here for a look at the full fact check from ABC News.

President Donald Trump delivers the State of the Union address to a joint session of Congress in the House chamber at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, Tuesday, Feb. 24, 2026.

1:58 AM GMT

Trump expected to pledge 'peace wherever I can' as showdown with Iran looms

Trump is expected to tout himself as a peacemaker in his speech, according to excerpts released by the White House.

"As president, I will make peace wherever I can -- but I will never hesitate to confront threats to America wherever we must," Trump will say.

Iran looms large over Trump's address tonight. U.S. military assets have been surging to the Middle East for weeks, as Trump seeks to strike a nuclear deal with Tehran.

2:00 AM GMT

Supreme Court justices enter the chamber to applause

Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts and Justices Brett Kavanaugh, Elena Kagan and Amy Coney Barrett entered the chamber with an applause from the attendees.

Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts and Supreme Court Justice Elena Kagan arrive for the State of the Union address in Washington, D.C., on Feb. 24, 2026.

1:57 AM GMT

Trump expected to demand 'full and immediate restoration' of DHS funds

Hours after the Senate failed to advance a procedural motion to fund the Department of Homeland Security, Trump is expected to demand the "full and immediate restoration of all funding for the Border Security and Homeland Security of the United States," according to an excerpt of his prepared speech.

"As we speak, Democrats in this chamber have cut off all funding for the Department of Homeland Security. They have closed the agency responsible for protecting Americans from terrorists and murderers," the excerpt of his remarks stated.

1:56 AM GMT

Trump expected to tout prescription drug, home buying policies

The president is expected to tout two economic policies he enacted during his first term, according to excerpts of the speech released by the White House.

President Donald Trump speaks during the 'Angel Families Remembrance Ceremony' at the White House in Washington, February 23, 2026.

Trump will talk about "ending the wildly inflated cost of prescription drugs," and will ask Congress to codify his executive order that banned investment firms from buying up single family homes.

"Now I am asking Congress to make that ban permanent, because homes are for people, not corporations," the excerpts read.