Jason,
Ok, it hasn't ended yet but I can't watch anymore without saying something. I'll have more to say tomorrow, but for now…
Tonight, President Trump is (still) delivering his State of the Union. As expected, it's full of bravado, exaggeration, and distractions from the real pain millions are feeling.
Trump was the opposite of a leader. He sounds like a right-wing tyrant.
He's repeatedly singled out Democrats, blaming them for everything wrong in the country despite his party's total control of the government. He's said Democrats are crazy and accused them of destroying our country. He's gone on revolting tirades targeting immigrants and the LGBTQ+ community. It is truly disturbing to watch.
Here are my immediate reactions to what he's said:
- 1) He boasted about immigration enforcement and ICE.
Trump claimed that enforcement is restoring law and order… but ignored the terror and chaos these policies have caused in communities across the country. Federal immigration raids have escalated sharply, expanded into interior cities, and even resulted in the deaths of U.S. citizens. As he praises ICE and deportations, families are living in fear, communities are torn apart, and so many Americans are left to deal with the fallout of these actions. - 2) He claimed the economy is strong and everything is "affordable".
He talked up the economy — but that's not the lived reality for young people. Rent is sky high. Homeownership feels out of reach. Costs keep going up. And policies like Trump's tariffs have only made things worse. - 3) He doubled down on divisive, "us vs. them" rhetoric.
Rather than reach across the aisle or speak to the real fears people share — about safety, affordability, mental health, climate — he attacked Democrats, stoked division, and rallied his base. Unity was nowhere to be found. - 4) He claimed foreign policy victories… even when the world is less safe.
Tonight he touted "strong leadership" abroad — including recent actions in Venezuela and foreign policy posturing in Iran that edges the world closer to conflict. Meanwhile, real crises rage on: wars, instability, and lives being lost in Gaza even as the administration claims it's made progress on peace. - 5) He said America is "strong and free"… but talked like an authoritarian.
Trump can talk about freedom all he wants, but his administration's policies have empowered massive surveillance, aggressive policing, and executive overreach. We are not free when we're governed by a wannabe dictator.
More soon,
David Hogg
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