President Donald Trump delivered a record-breaking 108-minute State of the Union address, aggressively defending his global tariff policies while boasting of unprecedented domestic and international successes.

In a sweeping and historically prolonged address, Donald Trump commandeered the United States Capitol. For nearly two hours, he delivered a defiant defense of his administration's highly unconventional policies.

Despite languishing at a dismal 36 percent approval rating, Trump's speech aggressively targeted the Supreme Court, touted sweeping new global tariffs, and claimed single-handed conflict resolutions globally. For East African observers, his isolationist trade rhetoric and stringent foreign policy pronouncements signal a turbulent, unpredictable economic landscape for emerging markets heavily reliant on international trade frameworks.

A Record-Breaking Marathon Speech

Speaking early Wednesday morning East Africa Time (EAT), President Trump broke the historical record for the longest State of the Union address since the American Presidency Project began recording in 1964. Clocking in at an exhausting 108 minutes, the speech was a marathon of political boasting, partisan attacks, and grandiose claims of national resurgence. He surpassed his own previous records, utilizing the massive televised platform to bypass traditional media channels and speak directly to his deeply entrenched political base. The optics were meticulously managed; however, the deeply polarized nature of the chamber was evident, with Democratic lawmakers visibly refusing to applaud and some even being ejected for displaying protest signs.

• The address lasted a historic, record-breaking 108 minutes.
• President Trump announced new 15 percent global tariffs under the Trade Act.
• Approval ratings among Republicans dropped significantly from 64% to 49%.
• Sweeping claims made regarding single-handedly preventing a nuclear war.

The overarching theme of the night was an unrelenting claim of total victory. "Tonight, after just one year, we can say with dignity and pride that we have achieved a transformation like no one has ever seen before," Trump declared. He painted a picture of a nation resurrected from the ruins left by his predecessor, ignoring widespread domestic protests and the chaotic implementation of his aggressive immigration and economic policies.

Trade Wars and Economic Isolationism

A significant portion of the address was dedicated to trade economics, a subject of intense global scrutiny. Trump openly bemoaned the recent Supreme Court ruling that curtailed his presidential authority to implement sweeping global tariffs under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act. With the four attending justices sitting directly in his eyeline, he audaciously branded their legal decision as "unfortunate" and "disappointing." Undeterred by the judicial rebuke, he proudly announced the immediate implementation of new 15 percent global tariffs under Section 122 of the Trade Act. He falsely claimed these duties would not require congressional oversight, despite the law clearly mandating a review after 150 days.

Furthermore, independent fact-checkers quickly dismantled several of his domestic economic claims. While he vowed to "always protect" Medicaid, his administration's sweeping tax legislation is projected to slash federal Medicaid spending by a staggering $793bn (approx. KES 103 trillion), potentially leaving millions uninsured. His boast regarding the drastic reduction of prescription drug prices was similarly challenged, as his new initiatives cover only a highly limited fraction of essential medications.

Global Security and Exaggerated Claims

On the international front, Trump made astonishingly grandiose claims regarding his diplomatic prowess. He repeated a highly disputed assertion that he single-handedly prevented a catastrophic nuclear war between India and Pakistan, claiming the Pakistani Prime Minister credited him with saving 35 million lives. This assertion has been consistently and vehemently denied by Indian authorities, who reject any third-party intervention in their bilateral affairs. Trump further listed a litany of complex global conflicts—from the Congo and Rwanda to the Middle East—suggesting his administration had magically resolved deep-seated historical tensions. These sweeping declarations were met with profound skepticism by international relations experts monitoring the address.

"We are proudly restoring safety for Americans at home, and we are also restoring security for Americans abroad; our country has never been stronger," the President proclaimed.