Trump highlights new relationship with Venezuela after Maduro capture - ABC7 Chicago

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.

ByRegina Garcia Cano

4:17 AM GMT

Trump highlights new relationship with Venezuela after Maduro capture

Following last month's capture of then-President Nicolás Maduro by elite U.S. military forces, Trump said Tuesday, his administration is working with acting President Delcy Rodriguez to "unleash extraordinary economic gains for both of our countries and to bring new hope to those who have suffered so terribly."

Among those who have suffered for years in Venezuela are thousands of people who have been detained for months or years for political reasons. Venezuela's ruling party denied holding people for their political beliefs, but it began releasing hundreds of them following Maduro's capture.

They included former presidential candidate Enrique Márquez, whom Trump's administration invited to the State of the Union address to surprise a relative who was sitting in the gallery.

4:13 AM GMT

Democrat holds up photos of Renee Good, Alex Pretti

Democratic Rep. Norma Torres of California was seen holding photos of Renee Good and Alex Pretti, the two Minneapolis residents who were shot by federal law enforcement in separate incidents during last month's immigration enforcement in the state.

Rep. Norma Torres (D- CA) holds up a photo of Minnesota shooting victim Renee Good during President Donald Trump's State of the Union address on Feb. 24, 2026, in Washington, DC.

Rep. Norma Torres (D- CA) holds up a photo of Minnesota shooting victim Alex Pretti during President Donald Trump's State of the Union address on Feb. 24, 2026, in Washington, DC.

Trump has not brought up the shootings, which are both under investigation and not yielded any charges, during the speech as of 10:47 p.m.

ByKonstantin Toropin

4:05 AM GMT

Army pilot wounded in Maduro raid awarded Congressional Medal of Honor

President Donald Trump presented a helicopter pilot who was wounded in the raid that captured Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro with the Congressional Medal of Honor.

U.S. Army Chief Warrant Officer Eric Slover receives a Medal of Honor during President Donald Trump's State of the Union address in Washington, Tuesday, Feb. 24, 2026.

Trump said that Army Warrant Officer 5 Eric Slover was the pilot of the lead CH-47 Chinook helicopter during the raid.

"Eric steered the Chinook under the cover of night and descended swiftly upon Maduro's heavily protected military fortress," Trump said.

"Eric was hit very badly in the leg and hip, one bullet after another. He absorbed four agonizing shots, shredding his leg into numerous pieces," Trump added before explaining that Slover still piloted his helicopter back to safety before telling his copilot that he was about to pass out from his wounds.

Trump also said that ten other servicemembers will also be receiving medals at a private ceremony that will soon be held at the White House.

4:02 AM GMT

Trump honors National Guard members with the purple heart

Trump awarded two Purple Heart medals to members of the National Guard who were attacked in Washington, D.C., in November.

West Virginia National Guard Staff Sgt. Andrew Wolfe is awarded a Purple Heart during President Donald Trump's State of the Union address in Washington, Tuesday, Feb. 24, 2026.

In awarding the medals to Staff Sgt. Andrew Wolfe and to the family of late Army Specialist Sarah Beckstrom, who was killed in the attack, Trump praised their bravery.

"After a four-month deployment, she voluntarily extended her service, and her rank was going to be lifted. She was doing so well. They were so proud of her," Trump said of Beckstrom.