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Trump Seeks State of the Union Reset as Popularity Sinks
Reeling from Supreme Court setback and falling approval, president aims to reclaim narrative ahead of midterms
Published on Feb. 24, 2026
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President Trump will deliver his State of the Union address on Tuesday at a pivotal moment in his presidency. While he is expected to tout economic achievements, his popularity is the lowest since retaking office, with Americans widely disapproving of him on issues like the economy and immigration. With the government in a partial shutdown and the Supreme Court delivering a blow to his tariff policies, Republicans now face the prospect of losing the House in the upcoming midterm elections.
Why it matters
Trump's State of the Union address comes at a critical juncture, as he seeks to regain momentum and public support amid sagging poll numbers, a Supreme Court defeat, and the looming threat of Democrats taking control of the House in the midterms. The speech represents an opportunity for Trump to reset the narrative and rally his base, but he faces an uphill battle in convincing a skeptical public.
The details
Trump is expected to highlight economic wins like job growth, declining gas prices, and a rising stock market. He also plans to tout his success at the border, where illegal immigration has declined, as well as investments in the military. However, many Americans feel the economy is not working for them, and there has been widespread outrage over the Trump administration's deportation tactics. The president has also faced a major setback from the Supreme Court, which struck down his sweeping tariff scheme, prompting a furious response from Trump.
- Trump will deliver the State of the Union address on Tuesday, February 25, 2026.
- The Supreme Court ruled against Trump's tariff policies last week.
The players
Donald Trump
The 46th President of the United States, who is seeking to regain momentum and public support amid sagging poll numbers, a Supreme Court defeat, and the looming threat of Democrats taking control of the House in the midterms.
Neil M. Gorsuch
A Supreme Court justice nominated by Trump during his first term.
Amy Coney Barrett
A Supreme Court justice nominated by Trump during his first term.
Hakeem Jeffries
The Democratic minority leader in the House of Representatives, who has encouraged members to either sit silently through Trump's speech or boycott it altogether.
Abigail Spanberger
The new Democratic governor of Virginia, who has been chosen to deliver the party's official response to Trump's State of the Union address.
What they’re saying
“I'm not at 40 percent. I'm much higher than that.”
— Donald Trump (The New York Times)
“If you are Minority Leader Jeffries, you are thinking, 'Let's not mess this up, because we have a golden opportunity to retake the House.'”
— Todd Belt, Professor, George Washington University Graduate School of Political Management (The New York Times)
What’s next
The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.
The takeaway
This case highlights growing concerns in the community about repeat offenders released on bail, raising questions about bail reform, public safety on SF streets, and if any special laws to govern autonomous vehicles in residential and commercial areas.
