Well, I didn’t know what I was going to say today in advance of the speech — news usually comes out of the speech itself, and then we dissect and respond to it.
But this garbage from the Associated Press is junk, and it falls to me to correct their misguided lies.
The AP article in question purports to preview President Trump’s 2026 State of the Union Address by sketching a caricature of the nation as “transformed,” of Congress as sidelined, and of the administration as lawless and out of touch. That narrative isn’t journalism — it’s a political opinion column masquerading as news. And it deserves a point-by-point rebuttal.
Let’s start with the most fundamental misrepresentation: the notion that America has somehow been “sidelined” by Trump’s policies and that Congress has been left powerless. That framing ignores both constitutional reality and Trump’s record.
It is true that Trump governs differently than his predecessors — but that’s because he sees the nation’s interests as separate from the interests of the establishment. Rather than bowing to career politicians, he uses every tool the Constitution and law provide to defend the American people and American sovereignty.
Yes, the AP claims the nation is “profoundly altered” and suggests Trump reshaped domestic and foreign policy via executive action. But that’s simply a neutral description boiled up to sound ominous. Presidents always set agendas and execute policy; that is their job. Consider that Trump’s sweeping reforms — from mass deportations to tax cuts — reflect promises he made to voters. When you campaign on issues and then follow through, good journalism describes that as leadership — not lawlessness.
The AP also insinuates that Trump’s policies “erode checks and balances.” But let’s be clear: the constitutional system itself has not broken. The legislative branch still passes laws, the judiciary still adjudicates disputes, and the executive still enforces policy. Trump’s critics object when he uses tools as written by Congress — like trade statutes and national security authorities — but exploiting existing law is not an abuse of power. It’s governance.
One glaring example where the AP’s framing falls apart is on tariffs. The article neglects to mention that when the Supreme Court struck down certain tariff authority, the administration didn’t retreat. Instead, Trump announced plans to impose a 15 percent global tariff under alternative legal authorities, reaffirming his commitment to protecting American workers and industries. That’s not chaos — that’s strategic adaptation, and it flies squarely in the face of the AP narrative.
Notice what the AP didn’t emphasize: the president’s economic accomplishments. Contrary to the AP’s tone, Trump will be using the State of the Union to highlight concrete progress. Reporting elsewhere shows he plans to emphasize tax cuts, efforts to lower prescription drug prices, legislation to shift subsidies from insurers to consumers, and border security gains — all achievements with real, measurable impact on American lives.
Instead of acknowledging that, the AP feeds a narrative that Trump is unpopular or failing. Yes, polls show Trump’s approval hovers below 50 percent in some surveys — but that’s the nature of contemporary politics. Presidential approval across history often reflects partisan polarization. The same polls also show that many Americans approve of specific Trump policies when asked directly — especially on border security, defense, and economic measures. The AP article buried that reality while playing up opposition, rather than offering a full accounting of public opinion.
And let’s talk about tone. News organizations are supposed to describe what is, not what they hope is. The AP opens with the notion that “the nation is transformed and Congress sidelined.” But that misses the big picture: Trump is gearing up for a campaign speech that will tout American achievements and argue for continued strength, not chaos. Yet the AP treats this as if it’s uncommon or alarming. That’s bias, not balance.
Another misleading insinuation buried deep in AP’s style of reporting is that Trump’s approach to immigration, tariffs, and foreign policy has been widely condemned — implying failure. But in reality, the president’s hardline policies are exactly what tens of millions of voters demanded at the ballot box in 2024. From strengthening borders to revising trade deals, Trump’s policies reflect broad strategic goals to put America first — goals that remain popular among large segments of the American electorate.
And on foreign policy, the AP neglects context. The world is unsettled. Russia, China, Iran, and others are unresolved strategic questions. Trump’s measured rhetoric may not align with establishment groupthink, but showing resolve, strength, and America’s interests first is not reckless — it’s realistic. The AP’s framing suggests weakness, when strength is the actual objective.
Perhaps most importantly, the AP article omits the substance of the speech itself and instead focuses on secondary narratives about boycotts, alternative rallies, and Democratic responses. That’s like reviewing a book based on its cover. Actual speeches, reported live elsewhere, show a president outlining plans to uplift Americans, defend sovereignty, and create a prosperous future. In past joint addresses, Trump has focused on tax reform, energy independence, national defense, and criminal justice reform — real policy areas that matter to everyday Americans.
If journalism’s role is to inform, then the Associated Press failed its readers by amplifying political criticism and downplaying tangible policy issues. News consumers deserve facts, not cheap frames.
At the end of the day, America is not in decline because one outlet chooses to spin a narrative. The union — in its people, businesses, and unshakable ideals — remains strong. And when Trump takes the podium, Americans should listen for substance, not the straw men built by activists in newsroom desks.
Real reporting would tell Americans: borders are being secured, the economy is gaining strength, trade is being rebalanced, and America’s interests are being defended. That’s not spin — that’s the record.
The Associated Press can paint this however it wants. But the truth is larger than its headline.
And America’s story will not be told by pessimists. It will be written by those who see strength where others see chaos — by those who look at facts, not narratives.