This article originally appeared on PolitiFact.
In a combative State of the Union speech — the longest in modern history at about 108 minutes — President Donald Trump defended his administration's economic performance and hardline immigration agenda amid sagging poll numbers ahead of the midterm elections.
READ MORE: Trump's full 2026 State of the Union address
Trump boasted that inflation is plummeting and gas prices are lower. He also defended his immigration efforts, which have caused turmoil in Democratic-run cities and resulted in the deaths of two U.S. citizens shot by immigration agents.
Trump called on legislators to stand and show their support if they agree that the "first duty of the American government is to protect American citizens, not illegal aliens." That garnered a prolonged standing ovation from Republicans and silence from seated Democrats, prompting Trump to say they should be "ashamed of themselves."
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Scant in Trump's speech: acknowledgement of the fourth anniversary of the Russia-Ukraine war, which he vowed during his presidential campaign to end. He also didn't discuss the release of government files on convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, an issue Trump pivoted on after undermining efforts to release them, although some Epstein victims were in attendance.
WATCH: Analysis of Trump's 2026 State of the Union address
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