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    Trump explodes at ‘crazy’ Democrats for ‘destroying our country’ and ‘refusing’ to protect Americans… as the Squad goes berserk and dozens storm out: Live updates

    By RACHEL BOWMAN, US SENIOR NEWS REPORTER and KATELYN CARALLE, SENIOR U.S. POLITICAL REPORTER and VICTORIA CHURCHILL, US POLITICAL REPORTER and PHILLIP NIETO, US POLITICAL REPORTER

    Updated:

    President Donald Trumpaddressed the nation during his State of the Union speech from the US Capitolbuilding tonight.

    Immediately after entering the House Chamber on Tuesday night, Democratic congressman Al Greenheld up a sign as the president walked by saying: ‘Black People aren’t apes.’ He was shortly escorted out of the room afterMajority Leader Steven Scalise ripped the sign from his hands.

    He later exploded at Democratic congressman for refusing to stand up in support of protecting American citizens from illegal alien criminal activity.’Stand up if you agree with this statement: The first duty of the American government is to protect American citizens – not illegal aliens,’ he said, as several Dems sat firmly in their seats.

    During his speech, Trump also addressed his policies to supercharge the US economyas well as the rewiring of global trade and tax cuts.

    The president broke his previous record for longest State of the Union speech, clocking in at 1 hour and 50 minutes. Earlier today, Trump warned that his speech would be lengthyas he arguedthat the country is strong, prosperous and respected as it enters its 250th year.

    Follow along for the latest updates.

    Trump blasts Democrats over immigration

    Donald Trump called on Democrats to stand up in support of protecting American citizens.

    ‘Stand up if you agree with this statement: The first duty of the American government is to protect American citizens – not illegal aliens,’ he said.

    Several Democrats, including Arizona Senator Mark Kelly, refused to stand.

    Trump then told the Democrats they should be ashamed of themselves.

    ‘You should be ashamed of yourself, not standing up,’ he said.

    U.S. President Donald Trump delivers the State of the Union address in the House Chamber of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., U.S., February 24, 2026.  REUTERS/KEVIN LAMARQUE

    Trumps make-or-break State of the Union: Join the Daily Mail and 2WAY LIVE for the president’s historic speech

    The eyes of America – and much of the world – will be fixed on Donald Trump on Tuesday night as he strides to the Speakers rostrum to deliver his historic fifth State of the Union.

    It comes at a moment of explosive global tension. The standoff with Iran is edging toward boiling point.

    Cartel violence is tearing through Mexican tourist hotspots. And back home, the White House is sharpening its message with the high-stakes November midterms looming large.

    Spanberger claims ‘corruption is unprecedented’ under Trump

    Abigail Spanberger accused the Trump administration of ‘unprecedented’ corruption.

    ‘He’s enriching himself, his family, his friends. The scale of the corruption is unprecedented. There’s the cover-up of the Epstein files, the crypto scams, cozying up to foreign princes for airplanes and billionaires for ballrooms, putting his name and face on buildings all over our nation’s capital,’ she said.

    ‘This is not what our founders envisioned. Not by a long shot.’

    Democrat rebuttal argues Trump is ‘not working for Americans’

    Democrats respond to Donald Trump’s State of the Union saying he isn’t making Americans safer.

    Virginia Governor Abigail Spanberger repeatedly questioned during the Democratic rebuttal on Tuesday night: ‘Is the president working to keep Americans safe, both at home and abroad?’

    ‘We all know the answer is no,” she insisted.

    The rising Democrat star and former CIA agent slams Trump for giving immigrants agents authority to terrorize our communities.

    And she accused the president of cozying up to foreign leaders.

    WILLIAMSBURG, VIRGINIA - FEBRUARY 24: Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger reacts to U.S. President Donald Trump's State of the Union address on February 24, 2026 in Williamsburg, Virginia. Spanberger is serving in her first year as governor and is the first woman to hold the position in the Commonwealth of Virginia. (Photo by Mike Kropf/Getty Images)

    Spanberger blasts Trump’s immigration crackdown

    Virginia Governor Abigail Spanberger blasted Trump’s immigration crackdown.

    ‘Our president has sent poorly trained federal agents into our cities, where they have arrested and detained American citizens and people who aspire to be Americans,’ she said.

    ‘Every minute spent sowing fear is a minute not spent investigating murders, crimes against children, or the criminals defrauding seniors of their life savings.

    ‘Our president told us tonight that we are safer because these agents arrest mothers and detain children. Think about that.’

    ‘We did not hear the truth from our president,’ Spanberger says

    Virginia Governor Abigail Spanberger opened her Democratic response to the State of the Union by calling Trump a liar.

    ‘We did not hear the truth from our president,’ she said.

    Then she urged Americans to ask themselves three questions.

    ‘Is the president working to make life more affordable for you and your family? Is the president working to keep Americans safe, both at home and abroad? Is the president working for you?’ she said.

    Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger reacts on the day of President Donald Trump's State of the Union address, in Williamsburg, Virginia, U.S., February 24, 2026. Steve Helber/Pool via REUTERS

    New Virginia Governor delivers Democrat response to Trump’s State of the Union

    Virginia Governor Abigail Spanberger told Americans that Donald Trump lied to them during his State of the Union address.

    ‘We did not hear the truth from our president,’ she said in the Democratic response to Trump’s speech on Tuesday night.

    She delivered the speech from Williamsburg, Virginia.

    Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger listens to President Donald Trump's State of the Union address, Tuesday, Feb. 24, 2026, in Williamsburg, Va. Spanberger will deliver the Democratic response after the address. (AP Photo/Steve Helber, Pool)

    Trump reunites Maduro political prisoner with family

    Trump reunited a woman named Alejandra Gonzales, with her uncle, Enrique Mrquez, who opposed Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and was captured by his regime.

    ‘But after Enrique ran for office and opposed Maduro, he was kidnapped by Maduro security forces and thrown into the regimes infamous prison in Caracas,’ Trump said.

    ‘Alejandra, I’m pleased to inform you that not only has your uncle been released, but he’s here tonight, we brought him over to celebrate his freedom with you in person.

    ‘Enrique, please come down.’

    Venezuelan former presidential candidate Enrique Marquez is embraced by a family member during U.S. President Donald Trump's State of the Union address to a joint session of Congress at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., U.S., February 24, 2026.  REUTERS/Evelyn Hockstein

    Trump mentions killing of Mexican drug lord

    Trump referenced the killing of Jalisco New Generation Cartel leader Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, also known as ‘El Mencho.’

    ‘Weve also taken down one of the most sinister cartel kingpins of all. You saw that yesterday,’ Trump said.

    Breaking:Trump breaks record for longest State of the Union speech

    Donald Trump has officially broken the record for the longest State of the Union address.

    The president has spoken for over 1 hour and 30 minutes, and his speech is still going.

    He officially broke Bill Clinton’s record set in 2000. Clinton’s speech lasted 1 hour, 28 minutes, and 49 seconds.

    Trump warns Americans that Iran is ‘pursuing sinister ambitions’

    Donald Trump warned that Iran is right now ‘pursuing their sinister ambitions.’

    It comes as the US moved military assets this month into position to strike Iran after the latest round of nuclear peace talks devolved.

    ‘My preference is to solve this problem through diplomacy,’ Trump said, but insisted: ‘I will never allow the world’s number one sponsor of terror, which they are by far, to have a nuclear weapon.’

    He said that Iran is already in a spot where their missiles can reach US bases in Europe, ‘and they are working to build missiles that will soon reach the United States of America after Midnight Hammer, he said.

    Trump said he’s still waiting for the ‘secret words’ from Iran assuring they will stand down from obtaining nuclear weapons.

    WASHINGTON, DC - FEBRUARY 24: The Joint Chiefs of Staff attend the State of the Union address during a Joint Session of Congress at the U.S. Capitol on February 24, 2026, in Washington, DC. Trump delivered his address days after the Supreme Court struck down the administration's tariff strategy and amid a U.S. military buildup in the Persian Gulf threatening Iran. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

    Trump praises Marco Rubio

    Donald Trump praised Secretary of State Marco Rubio during his speech.

    ‘People like you,’ Trump said of Rubio.

    ‘Some of the Democrats are now saying, “I cant believe we approved that guy,” and he said, “Its an honor that they feel that way,” right? Marco, you have done a great job.’