Trump to Tout Healthcare Affordability Wins in State of the Union

President to highlight stories of Americans benefiting from his policies as he lays out new agenda for 2026 midterms

Published on Feb. 24, 2026

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President Trump will use his State of the Union address on Tuesday to share the stories of Americans who have benefited from his policies, mark the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, and lay out his accomplishments from the past year. He will also announce new policies meant to tackle the affordability crisis, a critical issue for Republicans heading into the November midterm elections.

Why it matters

The speech comes at a critical time for the president, as Republicans defend narrow majorities in the House and Senate. Trump will use the large national audience to make the case that he and the GOP have the strongest policies to tackle the high cost of living, while blaming Democrats under former President Biden for causing the problems.

The details

Trump will brag about his 'Big Beautiful Bill' - including the just-launched 'Trump Accounts' seeded with $1,000 per newborn - plus new tax policies for people who earn tips and overtime, senior citizens and car buyers that are padding refunds this tax season. He will also tout his push for drug companies to lower costs by threatening them with tariffs, and highlight the new 'TrumpRX' site that has helped some consumers lower their medication costs.

  • Tuesday's State of the Union address will mark the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence.
  • The speech comes four years after Russia's invasion of Ukraine, with the possibility of a US attack on Iran ever-present.

The players

President Trump

The 45th President of the United States, who will deliver the State of the Union address.

Megan Hemhouser

A Pennsylvania mom and waitress who received a roughly $5,000 income bump from the elimination of federal taxes on tips and overtime earnings.

Catherine Rayner

A woman from Norfolk, Virginia who used the 'TrumpRX' site to lower her fertility medicine costs from $4,000 to $500.

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What they’re saying

“He's going to lay out a very ambitious agenda, I think, for the working people of this country to make America more affordable and prosperous and safe and make the American dream more attainable.”

— Karoline Leavitt, White House Press Secretary

“We have to tell our story better.”

— Senior Administration Official (The Washington Post)

What’s next

The success of the president's delivery could impact the November midterm elections, in which Republicans are defending narrow House and Senate majorities that if lost could sink Trump into two years of investigations and gridlock to close out his term of office.

The takeaway

Trump will use the State of the Union to make the case that his policies have helped make healthcare and other costs more affordable for Americans, a key issue for voters heading into the midterm elections. However, he will face challenges in navigating the potential backlash from the Supreme Court's recent rulings against some of his signature initiatives.