By Tian Jingxin, Vision Times
On the evening of Feb. 24, U.S. President Donald Trump delivered the first State of the Union address of his second term before a packed House chamber. Lawmakers, Supreme Court justices, and invited guests listened as Trump declared what he called a historic “Century Reversal” in a dramatic turnaround from what he described as the “many failures” of the previous administration.
Over 108 minutes, Trump framed his presidency as a mission to restore economic strength, border security, and American sovereignty. Flanked by Vice President JD Vance and House Speaker Mike Johnson, he asserted that in just one year, his administration had reversed a “catastrophic situation.”
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“One year ago, I inherited a mess — an economy stalled, inflation raging, borders wide open, recruitment collapsing, crime surging, and wars breaking out across the globe,” Trump said, adding, “But tonight, just one year later, I can proudly say we have achieved an unprecedented turnaround.”
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He labeled the shift a “Century Reversal,” declaring that the U.S. economy is now “booming at a rate never seen before.” Republican lawmakers responded with chants of “USA! USA!” as Trump touted what he described as restored national confidence: “Our borders are secure… our enemies are nervous… and America is respected again.”
Central to Trump’s speech was inflation, long a political flashpoint. “Inflation is plummeting,” he said. “In the past 12 months, my administration has brought core inflation down to its lowest level in over five years.” Recent Bureau of Labor Statistics data shows the Consumer Price Index (CPI) rose 2.4 percent year-over-year in January 2026, down from 2.7 percent in December. Core CPI, excluding food and energy, increased 2.5 percent, the lowest reading since April 2021.
Trump highlighted falling egg prices, once symbolic of runaway inflation, and pointed to lower gasoline prices as evidence that his “Drill, baby, drill” energy policy is delivering results. AAA data shows gas prices have dropped significantly from peaks seen two years ago.
On tax cuts and refunds
A centerpiece of the address was the administration’s signature tax legislation, the “Big and Beautiful Act.” The law eliminates federal taxes on tips, overtime pay, and Social Security income.
Trump introduced Pennsylvania mother Megan Hemhouser, who homeschools her children by day and works evenings in a restaurant. Under the new law, she and her husband (a heavy equipment operator) received a $5,000 refund. “That money didn’t go to Washington bureaucrats,” Trump said. “It stayed with this hardworking family.”
Looking ahead, Trump promoted a new initiative known as “Trump Accounts,” formally designated 530A accounts. Under the program, the Treasury Department deposits $1,000 into tax-advantaged investment accounts for children born between 2025 and 2028.
Funds are invested in stock index portfolios and generally locked until age 18, when accounts convert into retirement-style vehicles. “If they make modest additional contributions, these accounts could grow to $100,000 or more by the time they turn 18,” Trump said. Treasury data shows approximately 3 million children have enrolled so far.
Government fraud task force
Trump announced the creation of a federal task force to combat fraud and misuse of taxpayer funds, led by Vice President Vance. “We’re not just creating wealth, we’re protecting taxpayer dollars,” Trump said, referencing investigations into alleged pandemic-era unemployment fraud. He instructed the Labor Department and Justice Department to pursue recovery of “$30 billion lost in California.”
Trump also spotlighted the launch of TrumpRx.gov, a federal platform aimed at lowering prescription drug costs. He cited the case of Catherine Rayner from Virginia, who reportedly reduced fertility treatment medication costs from $4,000 to $500 using the platform.
Turning to the Affordable Care Act, which he referred to as the “Unaffordable Care Act,” Trump argued the law benefits insurers more than patients. He proposed redirecting federal subsidies into personal Health Savings Accounts, saying, “I want to stop paying the insurance companies and give that money directly to the people.”
On foreign and gender policy
Reaffirming his administration’s stance on gender policy, Trump declared: “In my administration, we recognize only two genders, and we will never allow men to compete in women’s sports.” He pledged to cut federal funding from schools teaching what he described as “anti-American history” or “radical gender theory.”
The address also included tributes to the U.S. men’s Olympic hockey team and a live presentation of the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
On foreign policy, Trump adopted a sharply competitive tone toward China, describing the relationship as a “survival competition” and pledging U.S. dominance in technology, space, and defense. “We support those who are loyal to America, and we disdain those who play both sides,” he said.
He concluded with ambitious visions, including landing Americans on Mars in partnership with Elon Musk and building ten new “Freedom Cities” on federal land. “We are building a future that belongs to the people, not to bureaucrats or big corporations,” Trump said in closing. “God bless America.”
