Trump’s SOTU disaster could cost Republicans 2026

The David Pakman Show - February 25, 2026

Already a website member? Watch the show commercial-free here | Want to become a member? Sign up here

In his State of the Union address last night, Donald Trump appeared low energy and returned to familiar claims about inheriting a crisis, blaming Joe Biden for inflation, crime, and economic stagnation. He touted historic market highs, major investments, and tariff success despite a recent Supreme Court setback and mixed economic data. There were awkward pauses, inflated boasts about ending wars, and the speech leaned heavily on medals and applause lines instead of detailed policy.

Republicans quickly moved to contain the damage. GOP figures offered sweeping praise, cited questionable approval numbers, and pushed back on widely reported GDP and inflation data. They presented optimistic math on tariffs and gas prices while shrugging off substantive economic critiques.

Attorney General Pam Bondi’s Fox News appearance followed a similar script. She shifted between crime, immigration, religion, and patriotism without laying out clear defenses of the Justice Department’s policies. The segment reinforced the perception that administration officials are leaning on rhetoric over evidence.

A CNN focus group revealed a sharp divide. Some viewers praised Trump’s speech and repeated claims about investments and new financial programs. Others criticized the emphasis on spectacle and partisan attacks instead of plans to lower costs or improve health care.

House Speaker Mike Johnson warned that losing the House would effectively end Trump’s agenda. His comments implied Republican control has shielded the administration from aggressive oversight and investigations. These remarks reflect anxiety within the party and highlight that the midterms are about power and accountability as much as policy.

The controversy over the Epstein files continues to implicate to Donald Trump. Despite promises of transparency, the Justice Department has withheld or removed pages, including documents tied to allegations involving Trump. Officials say materials are privileged or duplicative, but shifting uploads and missing serial numbers only fueled skepticism.

Senator Markwayne Mullin claimed Republicans cut inflation in half, even though it had already fallen sharply before Trump returned to office. Pressed in a CNBC interview, he shifted from saying they cut inflation to saying they stabilized it.

Finally, Trump supporters point to stock prices, which have risen roughly 14 percent since Trump returned to office. But compared to other developed markets, the United States ranks near the bottom.

On today’s bonus show:

Democrats win three more elections, prices likely won't go down despite SCOTUS's ruling against Trump's tariffs, the US government drops its case against six Democratic lawmakers, and much more...

Already a website member? Watch the bonus show here | Want to become a member? Sign up here

---

Don’t miss the full show with these stories and others, plus all of our analysis.

This episode is available completely free on Apple Podcasts or Spotify right now, OR catch the full video show at 9:00 pm eastern on YouTube.