President Donald Trump used his State of the Union address on Tuesday night to declare what he described as a historic national revival, portraying the United States as a country that has regained momentum under his leadership.
Despite opinion polls indicating that many Americans remain dissatisfied with both the direction of the country and his presidency, Trump showed no sign of adjusting course. With midterm elections approaching, the nearly two-hour speech functioned as both a defense of his record and a mobilization effort aimed at energizing his political base, while sharply criticizing Democrats.
The address featured a series of carefully staged moments designed for maximum impact. Early in the evening, Trump acknowledged members of the U.S. Olympic men’s hockey team seated in the gallery. As they raised their gold medals, lawmakers from both parties stood in applause, with Republicans chanting “USA.”
He later highlighted individual acts of service and heroism, including a 100-year-old World War II veteran and a Coast Guard swimmer credited with rescuing 165 people during severe flooding in Texas. These recognitions reinforced the president’s broader theme of patriotism and national achievement.
Trump opened with familiar rhetoric, declaring that “our nation is back” and describing the United States as the “hottest” country in the world. He pointed to rising incomes, stock market gains, lower petrol prices, reduced undocumented border crossings and easing inflation as evidence that “our country is winning again.”
However, the president’s approval ratings remain around 40 percent, and recent national addresses emphasizing similar economic indicators have done little to significantly shift public opinion. The White House appears to be betting that the broader audience traditionally drawn by a State of the Union address could help reshape the narrative.
While Trump defended his record extensively, he introduced relatively few new policy proposals. Among the ideas mentioned were retirement savings accounts aimed at working-class Americans and an energy arrangement with artificial intelligence companies to prevent electricity costs from rising for consumers.
He reiterated support for previously proposed measures, including direct healthcare subsidies to help Americans pay insurance premiums, a requirement that voters prove citizenship and a ban on issuing commercial driver’s licences to undocumented migrants.
The president also vowed to press ahead with his tariff strategy, despite a recent Supreme Court ruling that invalidated several of the duties he had imposed. The justices who ruled against him were present in the chamber, and although Trump briefly shook hands with Chief Justice John Roberts, there was no visible warmth between them.
Trade policy generated a mixed response in the chamber, with some Republicans appearing uneasy about the economic implications and potential electoral fallout. Immigration, however, drew the strongest reactions of the night.
Trump’s remarks on what he called the threat posed by “illegal aliens” prompted sustained applause from Republicans and visible frustration from Democrats. The issue has long been central to his political appeal, though recent enforcement actions in Minneapolis — which resulted in the fatal shooting of two American citizens by federal agents — have complicated the administration’s standing. The president did not address those incidents in his speech.
Foreign policy received comparatively limited attention. Despite heightened tensions with Iran and an expanded U.S. military presence in the region, Trump emphasized a preference for diplomacy while insisting he would never allow Iran to obtain a nuclear weapon.
As the midterm elections draw closer, the president faces political headwinds. His address suggested a strategy rooted in economic optimism, national pride and cultural solidarity — themes that may also feature prominently during upcoming celebrations marking the nation’s 250th anniversary.
About the author
Le Togo renforce la gouvernance du secteur halieutique
Le Togo poursuit ses efforts pour moderniser son secteur halieutique avec l'ouverture, le 28 juillet 2026 à Lomé, d'un atelier national consacré à l'amélioration de la gouvernance de la pêche et de l'aquaculture. Pendant quatre jours, des représentants des administrations publiques, des professionnels du secteur et des partenaires techniques examinent les réformes nécessaires pour aligner la stratégie nationale sur le Cadre politique et de la stratégie de réforme de la pêche et de l'aquaculture (CPSR) de l'Union africaine. Organisée dans le cadre de la deuxième phase du projet FishGov2, avec le soutien financier de l'Union européenne (UE), cette rencontre vise à renforcer la gestion durable des ressources halieutiques et à accélérer le développement du secteur. Évaluer les politiques nationales Les participants analysent la conformité des politiques togolaises avec les orientations de l'Union africaine afin d'identifier les points forts, les insuffisances […]
Le Togo obtient un appui de la BAD pour l’industrie
Le Togo fait partie des cinq pays africains sélectionnés pour bénéficier d'un financement de 3,48 millions de dollars approuvé par le Fonds africain de développement (FAD), le guichet concessionnel du Groupe de la Banque africaine de développement (BAD). Ce financement profitera également au Cameroun, au Tchad, aux Comores et à Madagascar. Il vise à renforcer les politiques industrielles et commerciales de ces pays tout en accélérant la mise en œuvre de la Zone de libre-échange continentale africaine (ZLECAf). Le projet prévoit notamment la réalisation d'études sur l'Initiative pour le développement industriel accéléré de l'Afrique (AIDA). Il permettra aussi de renforcer les capacités des administrations publiques afin de concevoir des politiques basées sur des données fiables, tout en intégrant les enjeux liés au climat, à l'égalité des genres et au développement des petites et moyennes entreprises (PME). Selon la Banque africaine […]
Lomé accueille le Forum sur la protection des données
Lomé accueille depuis le 28 juillet 2026 la deuxième édition du Forum international sur la protection des données à caractère personnel, un rendez-vous qui réunit des experts, des régulateurs et des professionnels du numérique autour des défis liés à la protection des données dans un environnement numérique en pleine évolution. L'événement, qui s'achève le 29 juillet, rassemble des spécialistes de la cybersécurité, de la gouvernance des données et de la transformation numérique, ainsi que des représentants des secteurs public et privé venus du Togo et de plusieurs pays de la sous-région. Placée sous le thème « Sécuriser le capital confiance, maîtriser les risques », cette édition met l'accent sur les stratégies permettant de renforcer la confiance numérique tout en protégeant les informations personnelles des citoyens et des organisations. Les discussions portent notamment sur les évolutions des réglementations, les défis liés […]
Palakiyem Assih prend la tête du conseil de CDA
Le Togolais Palakiyem Assih a été nommé président du Conseil d'administration de Cyber Defense Africa (CDA), a annoncé l'entreprise le 28 juillet 2026. Cette nomination marque une nouvelle étape dans la carrière de ce spécialiste de la cybersécurité, impliqué dans le développement de l'entreprise depuis sa création en 2019. Avant d'accéder à cette fonction, Palakiyem Assih occupait le poste de directeur technique (Chief Technology Officer - CTO) de Cyber Defense Africa. Il dirigeait également le CERT.tg, le centre national chargé de la réponse aux incidents de cybersécurité au Togo. Au fil des années, il a joué un rôle important dans le renforcement des capacités du pays en matière de cybersécurité et dans le développement des activités techniques de l'entreprise. Le cofondateur et directeur général de Cyber Defense Africa, Simon Melchior, a salué cette nomination, estimant qu'elle récompense l'engagement, le professionnalisme […]
Togo : les projets Banque mondiale sous évaluation
Le gouvernement togolais souhaite améliorer la performance des projets réalisés avec le soutien de la Banque mondiale afin d'assurer un meilleur impact sur les populations. Le mardi 28 juillet 2026 à Lomé, les coordinateurs des projets du portefeuille Togo–Banque mondiale ont participé à une réunion d'évaluation présidée par la ministre, Secrétaire générale de la Présidence du Conseil, Sandra Johnson. Cette rencontre s'inscrit dans le cadre de la mise en œuvre de la feuille de route gouvernementale 2026-2031. L'objectif principal de cette revue était de comparer l'état d'avancement des projets et les niveaux de décaissement avec les résultats obtenus sur le terrain. Les autorités veulent désormais s'assurer que les investissements financés profitent réellement aux bénéficiaires et améliorent leurs conditions de vie. Premier partenaire technique et financier du Togo, la Banque mondiale intervient dans plusieurs secteurs clés, notamment les infrastructures, l'éducation, la […]
Sonam Wangchuk Extends Hunger Strike in India
Indian activist Sonam Wangchuk has entered the 26th day of his hunger strike, saying he has lost 11 kilograms but remains determined to continue until the government guarantees the safety of student protesters. Wangchuk, widely known as "Sonam Sir," has become the face of a nationwide movement led by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), which is demanding major education reforms and the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over repeated examination paper leaks. The activist was removed from the protest site at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi on Saturday and admitted to Medanta Hospital in Gurugram, where he remains under medical care while continuing his fast. Hospital officials said Wangchuk is being treated by a multidisciplinary team and remains stable. They added that all medical care is being provided with his informed consent. Protests Continue Despite Police Crackdown Thousands of […]
Related
Hamas agrees to disarm under Trump plan, but no word from Israel
The Palestinian Islamist movement says it accepts a ceasefire roadmap that includes handing over its weapons to a Palestinian governing committee and a staged Israeli pullout from Gaza, while Israel remains unconvinced the proposal meets its security demands. Hamas announced on Friday that it had agreed to a deal unveiled by President Trump, under which its weapons would be placed under the control of the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza (NCAG), a Palestinian body backed by Trump’s Board of Peace. The agreement is tied to a gradual withdrawal of Israeli forces and the deployment of an International Stabilization Force alongside a new Palestinian police force to secure the territory. A senior Israeli political source told AFP that the draft did not “satisfactorily” address Israel’s demand for full demilitarisation of Gaza, insisting on the “complete disarmament of Hamas, including […]
Thousands cross from Morocco into Spain in new migrant crisis
Thousands of migrants have crossed overnight from Morocco into Spain’s North African enclave of Ceuta, overwhelming local authorities and prompting Madrid to deploy troops to the border. A police source said on July 31 that it was impossible to give an exact total, but in recent days around 40,000 migrants have entered the territory, which has a population of about 80,000. At least 18 people have died while attempting the dangerous crossing, many drowning as they swam around the Tarajal beach breakwater or tried to breach coastal barriers. The sudden mass influx has triggered what security forces describe as “absolute chaos,” with men, women and children arriving by land and sea, discarding flotation rings and clothes as they stream into Ceuta. Local authorities have declared an emergency, warning that reception facilities are overwhelmed and that thousands of migrants, including unaccompanied […]
Thousands cross from Morocco into Spain in new migrant crisis
Thousands of migrants have crossed overnight from Morocco into Spain’s North African enclave of Ceuta, overwhelming local authorities and prompting Madrid to deploy troops to the border. A police source said on July 31 that it was impossible to give an exact total, but in recent days around 40,000 migrants have entered the territory, which has a population of about 80,000. At least 18 people have died while attempting the dangerous crossing, many drowning as they swam around the Tarajal beach breakwater or tried to breach coastal barriers.france24+2 The sudden mass influx has triggered what security forces describe as “absolute chaos,” with men, women and children arriving by land and sea, discarding flotation rings and clothes as they stream into Ceuta. Local authorities have declared an emergency, warning that reception facilities are overwhelmed and that thousands of migrants, including unaccompanied […]
Iran’s Guards say three members killed in US attack on northwest
Iran’s Revolutionary Guards (IRGC) have announced that three members of the force were killed in a United States attack on Zanjan, a northwestern province of Iran. In a statement issued by the Ansar al‑Mahdi IRGC provincial branch, the Guards said the men “attained martyrdom” in what they called “a brutal attack carried out by the terrorist regime of the criminal United States on 30 July 2026.” Iranian media, citing the statement, reported that the strike targeted a location in Zanjan province, but did not immediately give further operational details Earlier, US Central Command (CENTCOM) said American forces had completed a “heavy wave” of strikes against Iran in response to what it described as attempted missile attacks targeting US forces in the Middle East. Iranian outlets have linked the Zanjan strike to that broader operation, which they say also hit other […]
Trump immigration crackdown: US arrests visa overstayers at airports
The United States has begun arresting foreign nationals with expired visas at airports across the country, marking an expansion of President Donald Trump’s immigration enforcement campaign. Reports based on internal US Department of Homeland Security documents and interviews with immigration lawyers say Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers have recently detained travellers at check‑in counters, security zones, boarding gates and arrival terminals in more than a dozen airports. Those targeted include spouses of US citizens, skilled foreign workers awaiting visa extensions, former exchange visitors and other migrants with pending immigration applications. The arrests represent a significant expansion of an existing collaboration between the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and ICE, which previously focused mainly on individuals with outstanding deportation orders. Lawyers say the programme now covers people whose visas have expired even if they have ongoing, lawful applications to remain in […]
Infantino slams World Cup critics for spreading hate
In an open letter and a long Instagram post shared after the tournament, Infantino said detractors were “consumed by hate and criticism” and had ignored the joy and togetherness experienced by supporters around the world. He described the World Cup, hosted across the United States, Canada and Mexico, as “the greatest show on earth” and “the most outstanding” edition in history. “To those behind their pens and papers, behind their screens spreading hate and false rumours, I want to say that while you are sitting behind, we at FIFA are on the front lines organising, working hard, and delivering the best show in the world,” Infantino wrote. He accused some commentators of “planting seeds of hate” instead of acknowledging what he called a tournament of unity, safety and inclusion. Infantino urged critics to “find love and peace,” suggesting they should […]