On February 24, President Donald Trump delivered an extended State of the Union address before Congress and a nationwide television audience. The speech, held in the House of Representatives chamber at the U.S. Capitol, lasted one hour and 47 minutes—making it one of the longest of his presidency. Ahead of the address, Trump had remarked that it would be lengthy due to the number of topics he planned to cover. As is customary with State of the Union speeches, he outlined his administration’s priorities, reflected on the past year, and presented his vision for the country moving forward.
One of the most emotional moments came when Trump paid tribute to conservative activist Charlie Kirk, founder of Turning Point USA. During the address, the president spoke about faith and unity, describing Kirk as a friend and acknowledging his influence. He also recognized Kirk’s widow, Erika Kirk, who was present in the chamber. As the audience stood in applause, cameras captured Erika appearing to mouth the words “I miss you,” a moment that resonated with viewers watching at home. Many on social media expressed sympathy, noting the visible emotion on her face as she listened to the tribute.
Charlie Kirk was fatally shot on September 10 while speaking publicly at an event at Utah Valley University. Authorities launched an extensive investigation following the incident. Within two days, law enforcement officials confirmed the arrest of a suspect in connection with the case. The individual was later charged with multiple offenses, including aggravated murder and other related charges. The case remains part of ongoing legal proceedings. During his speech, President Trump called for unity and reiterated his opposition to political violence, emphasizing the importance of rejecting such acts regardless of political differences.
Beyond the tribute, several statements made during the address were later reviewed by independent fact-checking organizations. Claims regarding levels of foreign investment, tariff payments, and the scale of proposed tax cuts drew particular attention. According to publicly available data and nonpartisan research groups, some figures cited differed from previously reported totals. As with many major political speeches, the address sparked discussion across the political spectrum, highlighting both support and criticism. The evening ultimately reflected the high-profile and often debated nature of the State of the Union, an annual event that continues to shape national conversation.