In the aftermath of President Donald Trump’s nearly two-hour State of the Union address, Republican and Democrat members of Congress went running to the media to start the messaging war. Speaker of the House Mike Johnson, R-La., told The Daily Signal that Trump’s speech Tuesday was “one of the best State of the Union speeches ever.” “It was really well done,” Johnson added. “Great content, great delivery.” Speaker Johnson talks to press leaving the State of the Union tonight in Statuary Hall: “It’s shameful what the Democrats did tonight, the display, it should be beneath any member of Congress. I think it’s something they’ll regret.” @DailySignal @SpeakerJohnson pic.twitter.com/fwECEisKUD— Virginia Grace McKinnon (@virginiagmck) February 25, 2026 Rep. Mark Harris, R-N.C., told The Daily Signal that the speech was “powerful” and “professional.” “It was powerful, professional, and touched on all the points that I think I was looking to hear,” Harris stated. “He described the situation that he inherited, all the way to all of the things he has done in his first year.” The president’s nearly two-hour address covered his administration’s successes on immigration, the economy, and foreign policy. But the president also called on Congress to act on several key issues, such as health care, tech policy, and election integrity. Sen. Bill Cassidy, R-La., told The Daily Signal that “we need lower health care costs. The fact that the president is focused on it gives it hope we can accomplish it.” Rep. Byron Donalds, R-Fla., said that the president “was absolutely right” in mentioning his plans for things like artificial intelligence and data centers. “If we can’t figure out how to build data centers and not increase electricity costs, then all the other problems we got are going to be much harder, so I think the president was absolutely right,” Donalds stated. Democrats, on the other hand, claimed Trump’s speech was performative and sought to divide the country. Rep. Mark Takano, D-Calif., told The Daily Signal the speech was “typical, terrible, horrible, divisive, racist,” and “immigrant vilifying.” During the speech, Democrats defied Trump’s address by shouting at the president, sitting down during standing ovations, and refusing to commemorate American athletes, victims of violent crime, and war heroes. At one point, Democrats refused to stand in agreement with the president on the American government being for the benefit of American citizens, rather than illegal aliens. “We are in pretty tough shape,” Sen. Chris Coons, D-Del., told The Daily Signal. “I was hoping for a unifying speech. The recognition of the Olympic gold medal team was positive, the recognition of our decorated veterans was positive. Other than that, there was a lot of disagreement.” Johnson and Donalds condemned the Democrat disruptors and did not rule out administering consequences to them. “It’s shameful what the Democrats did tonight, that should be beneath, under any member of Congress,” Johnson stated. In response to whether they will be punished for their defiance, Johnson said, “We’ll find out.” HOW DO YOU NOT STAND??President Trump shamed Democrats for refusing to stand for Anna Zarutska, the mother of the poor Ukrainian refugee who was killed by an illegal alien. "How do you not stand? How do you not stand?" pic.twitter.com/gGaVT4Fo7s— Tyler O'Neil (@Tyler2ONeil) February 25, 2026 “Democrats crazily have decided to take the 20% side of 80-20 issues,” Donalds said on the SAVE America Act and Republicans’ election integrity push. “The SAVE America Act, actually requiring voter ID so you prove you are who you say you are before you cast your ballot, everyone supports it except Democrats on Capitol Hill,” Donalds said. “Insanity.” “The Democrats have decided they want to be on the wrong side of history,” Donalds concluded. The post ‘One of the Best’: Congress Reacts to Trump’s Agenda-Setting State of the Union appeared first on The Daily Signal.

Before President Trump had even existed the House chamber following his 2026 State of the Union address on Tuesday night, CBS News was already poohpoohing it by whining about Trump making Democrats look bad by oversimplifying complex issues like protecting criminal illegal immigrants over American citizens. They also continued the debunked lie that Democratic Virginia Governor Abigail Spanberger was “very much a moderate.” CBS chief Washington correspondent Major Garrett cautiously explained that Trump’s verbal battles with Democrats the whole night was indeed intended. He noted that Republicans wanted Americans to see the left as “crazy,” and Garrett had to defend himself using that term: Well look, before the speech many Republicans said one of the priorities for the President was to make sure Americans after the speech had a sense of the opposition party was off the rails, was crazy. Their terminology, not mine. Many of the contrast the President articulated tonight were to drive that message forward. That not only do I disagree with the opposition party sitting before me in Congress but I disagree with them so strongly, and they with me so much, that they can't even applaud basic common sense things. Garrett went on to decry Trump’s moment of getting the Democrats to visibly refuse to support Americans and put illegal immigrants over them. He called it a “dark art” that “oversimplifies the issue dramatically”: And that line that you mentioned that he added to the speck, whether it was ad-libbed or not, the first obligation American citizens versus illegal aliens was meant to create a visual moment of perpetual contrast. It oversimplifies the issued dramatically. But if anyone has learned how to master that art, some call it a dark art, in American presidential politics, it's Donald Trump that was on full display to tonight.   CBS News's Major Garrett says Trump' State of the Union address showed off his use of the "dark art" of oversimplifying issues like illegal immigrant crime and protecting American citizens: "Well look, before the speech many Republicans said one of the priorities for the… pic.twitter.com/XMMRmglBod — Nicholas Fondacaro (@NickFondacaro) February 25, 2026   Contrast that with CBS New’s praise for President Biden’s address in 2024, when chief White House correspondent Nancy Cordes proclaimed: “This seemed to me to be a speech designed first and foremost to show that Joe Biden has the stamina and the fire in the belly to go another four years.” It turned out that that fire in the belly was just bad gas. With moments to spare just before Spanberger began to speak, Face the Nation moderator Margaret Brennan falsely claimed the Democrat was governing from the middle: Well, Abigail Spanberger as a congresswoman and now as governor has been very much moderate; campaigning strongly on energy prices, affordability in the special election in this period of time, this off-year election where she came to office, very much a focus here. You see her taking the podium. But that was miles away from the truth.   Margaret Brennan insanely claims that Abigail Spanberger has so-far governed Virginia as "very much a moderate." While Virginia Democrats and Spanberger jack up the cost of living in the state , Brennan insists the the latter is still all about "energy prices, affordability." pic.twitter.com/MH3NFfh6j8 — Nicholas Fondacaro (@NickFondacaro) February 25, 2026   As Nick Minock of the local ABC affiliate, 7NewsDC had been reporting for weeks, Spanberger and state Democrats were proposing some truly insane bills that were set to drive the cost of living through the roof via taxes. Including things like a “Delivery tax, which would hit Amazon, Uber Eats, FedEx, and UPS orders in Northern Virginia,” “Vehicle repair tax,” “Home repair tax,” and a “dog walking tax” just to name a few.   Virginia Democratic lawmakers are proposing a tsunami of tax increases, despite telling voters they’d make life more affordable for you. pic.twitter.com/8dgA2AeeAq — Nick Minock (@NickMinock) January 28, 2026   The transcript is below. Click "expand" to read: CBS News: State of the Union Address 2026 February 24, 2026 11:02:37 a.m. Eastern (…) TONY DOKOUPIL: Cause we have Major here at the table, I want to bring the conversation back here to our group watching long. Major, you've seen a lot of these I think more than any of us. What stood out to you? MAJOR GARRETT: Well look, before the speech many Republicans said one of the priorities for the President was to make sure Americans after the speech had a sense of the opposition party was off the rails, was crazy. Their terminology, not mine. Many of the contrast the President articulated tonight were to drive that message forward. That not only do I disagree with the opposition party sitting before me in Congress but I disagree with them so strongly, and they with me so much, that they can't even applaud basic common sense things. And that line that you mentioned that he added to the speck, whether it was ad-libbed or not, the first obligation American citizens versus illegal aliens was meant to create a visual moment of perpetual contrast. It over simplifies the issued dramatically. But if anyone has learned how to master that art, some call it a dark art, in American presidential politics, it's Donald Trump that was on full display to tonight. (…) 11:08:28 a.m. Eastern DOKOUPIL: Delivering the Democratic response to President Trump's address is Virginia Governor Abigail Spanberger, 46 years old, elected this past November, becoming the commonwealth's first female governor. Spanberger served three terms in the House of a Representatives, and is a former CIA officer. With me at the table here is Face the Nation moderator Margaret Brennan. Margaret, what do we expect. MARGARET BRENNAN: Well, Abigail Spanberger as a congresswoman and now as governor has been very much moderate; campaigning strongly on energy prices, affordability in the special election in this period of time, this off-year election where she came to office, very much a focus here. You see her taking the podium. DOKOUPIL: Famously difficult job. Let’s listen in.

Puck Off, Symone! MS NOW's Sanders Says USA Hockey Players Were Trump’s SOTU Political Props

Chief Warrant Officer Eric Slover already proved his mettle in the skies over Afghanistan, receiving the Distinguished Flying Cross for actions during a rescue mission that turned into an intense firefight. In January 2026, his proven abilities were required once again, this time over Caracas, as part of Operation Absolute Resolve, the daring raid to capture dictator Nicolás Maduro.Also Read: How the US deleted Venezuela’s air defenses so quickly Slover, then with the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment, planned the mission and was at the controls of the lead aircraft, an MH-47 Chinook. He was tasked with inserting a Delta Force assault team into the heavily fortified compound where Maduro was believed to be hiding. There was no margin for error, and no room for hesitation.As his helicopter approached the target area, Venezuelan defense systems opened fire, and Slover was struck three times in the leg. The Chinook was also hit, but still flyable.So he kept flying. “The success of the entire mission and the lives of his fellow warriors hinged on Eric’s ability to take searing pain,” President Donald Trump said during his 2026 State of the Union address. He then surprised Slover and his wife, Amy, with the nation’s highest military honor before a joint session of Congress. The chamber erupted in applause. Slover maintained control of the aircraft despite his wounds, executed the insertion, and ensured his crew successfully executed their objectives. He then piloted the aircraft back to the USS Iwo Jima. Within three hours, another team of helicopters would exfiltrate the assault team.Slover is still recovering from his wounds and was standing with the assistance of a walker when he received the award. A total of seven Americans were wounded in the operation.His actions were critical to the success of the raid that would ultimately end in Maduro’s capture and incarceration. Trump said other members of the military involved in the mission will be honored at a separate White House ceremony at a later date. Don’t Miss the Best of We Are The Mighty • An autopsy of Venezuela’s $2 billion Russian S-300VM missile system• An insider to the Venezuela raid may have scored big on Polymarket• Everything there is to know about Venezuela’s oil Medal of Honor Medal of Honor An Army pilot shot three times during the Maduro Raid just received the Medal of Honor By Blake Stilwell Medal of Honor The first Medals of Honor received for a foreign conflict happened in Korea By Blake Stilwell Medal of Honor A World War II POW who defied Nazis to protect Jewish soldiers will receive the Medal of Honor By Blake Stilwell Medal of Honor He fought seven MiGs and kept it secret—70 years later, he’s getting the Medal of Honor By Miguel Ortiz Medal of Honor ‘The Iron Major:’ James Capers Jr.’s long road to the Medal of Honor By Daniel Tobias Flint The post An Army pilot shot three times during the Maduro Raid just received the Medal of Honor appeared first on We Are The Mighty.

Multiple Democratic lawmakers ditched President Donald Trump’s State of the Union on Tuesday to attend a counterevent in Washington. The “State of the Swamp” event began at 7 p.m., two hours before Trump’s annual speech, and was headlined by actor Robert De Niro. The protest was held at the National Press Club, about a 15-minute drive from Capitol Hill, where Trump was speaking. Sen. Ron Wyden (D-OR) speaks during the State of the Swamp event on Tuesday, Feb. 24, 2026. (Asher Notheis/Washington Examiner) Attendees wore green clothes and inflatable frog costumes to tie into the event’s swamp theme. A couple of speakers even wore frog hats. Democrats partaking in this event included Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson, Rep. Seth Moulton (D-MA), Rep. Dan Goldman (D-NY), Rep. Jason Crow (D-CO), Sen. Ron Wyden (D-OR), a virtual appearance by 2024 presidential candidate Marianne Williamson, and a virtual appearance by activist Stacey Abrams, among others. “This year, we attest whether democracy still belongs to the people, and that’s why turnout has to be decisive and overwhelming, because when people show up and engage, authoritarians start to lose their grip on power,” Abrams said in a video. LIVE UPDATES: TRUMP DELIVERS 2026 STATE OF THE UNION ADDRESS Besides De Niro, other celebrities and political commentators who spoke at Tuesday’s event included Avengers actor Mark Ruffalo via video, former CNN anchor Jim Acosta, British American journalist Mehdi Hasan, and ex-ABC News reporter Terry Moran. Ruffalo protested Immigration and Customs Enforcement at the 2026 Golden Globes, and he also played a villainous Trump-esque character in the 2025 film Mickey 17. Defiance organized the event. Opposing ICE was another factor at Tuesday’s event, with Acosta saying “f*** ICE” as he spoke on his panel. Former Democratic Sen. Jon Tester also said Democrats need to “impeach this son of a b****” Trump if they retake the House of Representatives in November. Jim Acosta wears a frog hat as he takes the stage at the State of the Swamp event on Tuesday, Feb. 24, 2026. (Asher Notheis/Washington Examiner) Goldman called to “release the files,” drawing applause from the audience. The lawmaker was referring to files related to the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. In a separate area from the stage, attendees could take photos of reading mock files in “The Donald Trump and Jeffrey Epstein Memorial Reading Room,” with the photo booth’s background mimicking the blacked-out files and only showing the room’s title. Former Democratic Sen. Jon Tester dons a frog hat as he partakes in a panel discussion at the State of the Swamp event on Tuesday, Feb. 24, 2026. (Asher Notheis/Washington Examiner) A photo booth titled “The Donald Trump and Jeffrey Epstein Memorial Reading Room.” (Asher Notheis/Washington Examiner) STATE OF THE UNION GUEST LIST: WHO LAWMAKERS ARE BRINGING TO TRUMP’S SPEECH “State of the Swamp” is not the only counterprogramming to Trump’s speech. Numerous Democratic senators and representatives are skipping the speech to attend the People’s State of the Union at the National Mall. Trump invited Erika Kirk, the widow of Turning Point USA co-founder Charlie Kirk, as a special guest to his speech. The U.S. men’s Olympic hockey team, which won the gold medal against Canada on Sunday, also attended the State of the Union.

ANALYSIS Secretary of War Pete Hegseth earlier this month officially severed major ties between the Department of War and Harvard University, while initiating a sweeping review of all other Ivy League institutions. For the coming 2026-27 school year, the military will no longer send active-duty officers to Harvard for fellowships, certificate programs, or graduate-level Professional… Source

OPINION/ANALYSIS President Trump is cracking down on DEI in higher education. But are colleges actually getting rid of it, or just playing word games? In this video, College Fix editor Gabrielle Temaat breaks down shocking undercover footage from Accuracy in Media exposing administrators at major public universities admitting they’re still pushing DEI behind the scenes. Source

OPINION: Administrative scrutiny, regulatory hurdles fall more heavily on conservative students Viewpoint discrimination does not always announce itself loudly. Often, it reveals itself through selective enforcement, uneven scrutiny, and institutional tolerance for some forms of activism — but not others. Texas State University is guilty of this when it comes to enforcing policies with… Source

A California community college professor cannot be required to embed diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility practices in his classroom, a federal judge has ruled. The decision is the latest development in a nearly three-year-old lawsuit filed by Daymon Johnson, a history professor at Bakersfield College, part of the Kern Community College District. Johnson is also faculty lead of the… Source