Trump to deliver State of the Union address as voters sour on his economy

• 57% of respondents in a recent poll said they most wanted Trump to address the economy in his speech, while only 13% prioritized immigration
• Trump's economic approval is underwater with 57% of voters disapproving of his handling of the economy, and Democrats hold a 4.8-point lead in generic congressional ballot polling
• Democratic Gov. Abigail Spanberger of Virginia will deliver the official rebuttal, focusing on rising costs and concerns about executive overreach on immigration enforcement

Summary: Trump State of the Union Amid Economic Concerns

Key Event: President Donald Trump delivered his State of the Union address Tuesday night facing declining public approval on economic issues, with the economy expected to dominate his remarks.

Polling Data:

• 57% of respondents want Trump to focus on the economy in his address
• 57% of voters disapprove of his economic handling (recent poll)
• Trump is underwater by 13 points in approval ratings
• Democrats hold a 4.8-point lead in generic congressional ballot ahead of 2026 midterms
• Immigration ranked distant second at only 13% priority

Major Challenges:

• High prices for everyday goods remain the administration's biggest problem
• Supreme Court recently overturned Trump's authority to issue broad tariffs—a cornerstone of his economic platform
• Midterm elections loom less than nine months away, threatening Republican control of Washington

Trump's Economic Defense:

• Touted prescription drug price reductions and launch of online drug site
• Claims grocery prices, airfares, hotels, car payments, and rent have declined
• Republicans promoting tax cuts from party-line "one big beautiful bill"
• Administration shifting affordability blame to Democrats

Political Response:

• Democratic Gov. Abigail Spanberger of Virginia will deliver official rebuttal, focusing on costs and immigration enforcement concerns
• Progressive Democrats, including Sens. Murphy and Markey, boycotting speech for alternative "People's State of the Union" event
• House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries urged members to show "silent defiance" if attending

Market Implications: Economic messaging and policy direction remain critical as voter sentiment shifts, potentially impacting legislative priorities and market stability ahead of midterms.