Trump's State of the Union: Economic Claims Under Scrutiny

In his recent State of the Union address, President Trump made bold claims about the US economy, asserting record employment and massive investments. However, many of these statements are now being scrutinized for accuracy. With a speech lasting over 108 minutes, Trump aimed to reassure Americans about the economy's strength ahead of the midterm elections. This article delves into the specifics of his claims, including employment statistics and investment figures, revealing a more complex picture than presented. Discover the facts behind Trump's assertions and their implications for the upcoming elections.

By Narendra Chaudhary Feb 25, 2026, 20:39 IST

Trump's Optimistic Address

During an extensive State of the Union address on Tuesday, President Donald Trump proclaimed that the nation is experiencing significant victories, asserting that he has ignited an economic surge domestically while establishing a new global order. His aim was to persuade skeptical Americans that the economy is more robust than perceived, encouraging them to support Republican candidates in the upcoming midterm elections this November.

Trump's speech lasted a record-breaking 108 minutes, surpassing his previous address by eight minutes. While he generally maintained a composed tone, he occasionally deviated from his script to criticize Democrats. He stated, “Our country is winning again. In fact, we’re winning so much that we really don’t know what to do about it. People are asking me, 'Please, please, please, Mister President, we’re winning too much. We can’t take it anymore,'” before introducing his team.

Throughout his address, Trump made several assertions regarding employment levels and investment influx, but many of these claims are now subject to verification.

Record Employment Claims

Maximum Number of Americans Working Today Than in History

In his speech, Trump asserted that over 158 million individuals are currently employed in the United States, marking the highest employment figure in history. While this claim aligns with data from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), it is important to note that the population has also reached a record high of 342 million. Furthermore, the employment rate for individuals aged 16 and older stands at 59.8%, which is lower than the 60.1% recorded in January 2025 when Biden was in office. Additionally, the unemployment rate has seen a slight increase under Trump's administration, rising from 4.1% in December 2024 to 4.3% in January 2026.

Investment Claims Under Review

Trump's Claim on Record Investments in United States

Trump also claimed that he secured commitments for over $18 trillion in investments within a year from global sources. However, there is currently no public evidence to substantiate this figure. According to the White House's investment tracking website, the actual total of investments received in sectors such as manufacturing, technology, and infrastructure amounts to $9.7 trillion (£7.2 trillion) since Trump resumed office, which is significantly lower than his assertion.