On Feb. 24, President Trump delivered the longest State of the Union address in U.S. history. Between perpetual standing ovations and “USA” chants from Republican members of Congress, Trump spoke of a “Golden Age” America, while blaming any problems on the Democratic minority or rare “unfortunate” Supreme Court rulings. Trump’s State of the Union was curated to deceive the public into believing in his “hottest” version of our union while obfuscating the reality. He couldn’t care less about the needs of the average St. Louisan, Missourian, or American, struggling to pay for groceries, healthcare, and a home. As the executive board of WashU Democrats, we believe that Americans must be attuned to their lived experiences and work to improve our union through collective action, especially in the St. Louis community. 

Despite the historic length of the address, Trump gave no clear call to action to the American people. He painted a gory, vicious world while handing out awards to civilians and veterans. He used recipients as spectacles for the nation to gawk at in horror as he spoke of their injuries, losses, or damages and the evil behind their struggles, which was typically ascribed to the Left or other countries. This creation of fear primes the public to become stagnant and willing to trade liberty for protection. It’s a textbook move for authoritarian leadership: dissuade political participation and encourage the public to stand idly by while the government takes care of things. 

He sent this message when talking about the economy, speaking in “millions,” “billions,” and “trillions.” The average American cannot speak to these numbers; they only know what it’s like to provide for their family. Trump celebrated the supposed commitment of $18 trillion of investment “pouring in from all over the globe,” “plummeting” inflation, and incomes “rising fast,” but according to S.T.L.P.R., St. Louis families still face an ever-climbing Consumer Price Index and grocery prices. The implication of Trump’s claims is: if benefits have yet to reach individual families, they soon will. In reality, there is no end in sight for the economic hardships average Americans are facing. 

Trump failed to mention I.C.E. by name, only referring to the Department of Homeland Security. Despite the presence of Epstein survivor Haley Robson in the audience, the Epstein files also went unmentioned. Attorney General Pam Bondi and the dissolution of the judicial branch’s independence from the executive also remain unaddressed. These issues have been the bulk of the president’s bad press, and failure to speak to them points to the Republican Party’s lack of palatable messaging surrounding them. If the President of the United States is unable to mention hot-button issues in an almost two-hour speech with no pushback from the press, Republican midterm candidates will likewise be unable to answer to voters on these topics, demonstrating the party’s disconnect from the average American. 

Another concerning discrepancy in the address was the difference between Trump’s view of foreign relations and reality. In his own words, “America is respected again, perhaps like never before,” but after over a year of erratic threats to colonize both Canada and Greenland, leaving the Paris Climate Accord, and bombing Iran, our allies are becoming increasingly estranged. While Trump is focused on creating global conflict, he is cutting federal programs that help the average American. In February, the City of St. Louis was informed by the Federal Emergency Management Agency, for example, that it would not cover the full relief program for damage sustained in the tornado of May 2025. This has made the process of home repair impossible for many families that have been awaiting home repair funds from the city for almost a year. 

The State of the Union was strong for one group: Trump and his elite allies. As they climb “up, way up,” the American people are left in the dirt, with diminishing economic mobility and restricted civil liberties. We have a president unwilling to answer for his actions. The purpose of the State of the Union was to suppress the dissent plaguing Trump’s political career, rather than invite Americans to witness an accurate account of our nation’s present state. 

Hope of improvement has mitigated some opposition from Trump voters, but people across the country have resisted his actions through communal efforts. In St. Louis, opposition has been especially strong in recent months through the anti-Trump protests, advocacy from Action St. Louis, and the St. Louis I.C.E. tipline. Supporting these local movements is a great way to truly improve our union. Another means of improvement lies in the upcoming midterm elections. Check out when primary elections are in your state, and make a plan to vote in the general election on Nov. 3, whether that is in-person in St. Louis or by mail. Although Trump is not on the ballot, Republican members of Congress enabling his administration are. 

WashU Democrats Executive Board 2026:

Trey T. Jackson | President

Natalie Beldner | Vice President 

Benjamin Lumi | Treasurer 

Hannah La Porte | Public Relations Chair

Sara Steinmetz | Political Director 

Kaitlyn Kratzer | Legislative Affairs Director

Alden St. John | Programming Director

Rachel Matel | First-Year Representative