Trump’s State of the Union marred by protest, Congressman escorted out as President defends economy and border record

During a sharply partisan State of the Union-style address to a joint session of Congress, President Donald Trump is delivering a sweeping defence of his administration’s economic and immigration record. The annual address, one of the most closely watched events in the US political calendar, is traditionally an opportunity for presidents to outline policy achievements and legislative priorities before lawmakers, the Supreme Court and invited guests. This year’s speech, however, was marked early by disruption.

Al Green escorted out after protest

Democratic Congressman Al Green of Texas was escorted out of the House chamber after holding up a sign reading “Black people aren’t apes,” a reference to a controversial social media post shared by Trump that depicted former President Barack Obama as an ape.

Green, a long-time Trump critic who previously introduced articles of impeachment against him, was removed for disrupting the proceeding. Green was also removed for disrupting Trump's speech last year.


While Republicans applauded Trump’s remarks, many Democrats remained seated or visibly refrained from participating.

Trump claims inflation at five-year low

Turning to the economy, Trump asserted that his administration had reduced core inflation to its “lowest level in more than five years.” He also repeated his claim that his predecessor, Joe Biden, oversaw the “worst inflation in the history of our country.”

Official US Bureau of Labor Statistics data shows inflation peaked at 9.1% in June 2022, the highest in about four decades, but not the highest in US history. Inflation exceeded 13% in 1979 and approached 15% in 1980. Core inflation has eased in recent years amid tighter monetary policy by the Federal Reserve.

Trump further claimed the stock market had reached 53 record highs since the election and that his administration attracted over $18 trillion in investment.

Border security and fentanyl

On immigration, Trump declared the US border the “strongest and most secure in American history,” adding that fentanyl flows had fallen 56% in a year.