Donald J. Trump: "This is the Golden Age of America-Turnaround For The Ages"

Mike Hernandez publishes CaliRed News on Substack. He shared an excellent article on President Trump's State of the Union address.

By Mike Hernandez

February 25, 2026

WASHINGTON, D.C.--”This is the golden age of America–a turnaround for the ages,” stated President Donald J. Trump at the beginning of his Feb. 24 nearly two-hour State of the Union address–delivered in the U.S. Capitol and boycotted by at least 70 Democrats. “The state of our union is strong. Our country is winning again.”

Historic Comeback

“When I last spoke in this chamber 12 months ago, I had just inherited a nation in crisis with a stagnant economy, inflation at record levels, a wide-open border, horrendous recruitment for military and police, rampant crime at home, and wars and chaos all over the world.

“After just one year, I can say with dignity and pride that we have achieved a transformation like no one has ever seen before.

“In 12 months, my administration has driven core inflation down to the lowest level in more than five years. And in the last three months of 2025, it was down to 1.7 percent.

Gasoline, which reached a peak of over $6 a gallon in some states under my predecessor–it was, quite honestly, a disaster–is now below $2.30 a gallon in most states, and in some places $1.99 a gallon. And when I visited the great state of Iowa just a few weeks ago, I even saw $1.85 a gallon for gasoline.”

According to the President, more Americans are working today than at any point in U.S. history and that these jobs are in the private sector and stated his administration has ended DEI–diversity, equity, and inclusion in the country and gotten millions of Americans off food stamps.

The United States is the “hottest country” anywhere in the world as massive investments have been made into the United States with the building of new factories and with Venezuela providing the United States with 80 million barrels of oil and with American natural gas production at an “all-time high.”

“I met Megan Hernhauser, a devoted mom who homeschools her children waiting tables at night as her husband works overtime operating very heavy equipment. Megan is here this evening, and she’s happy to tell you that she is so, so much richer because, with no tax or tips, no tax on overtime, and our child tax credit done again by Republicans, Megan and her husband will take home more than $5,000 extra just for the year, cutting her tax bill in more than half.”

SAVE Act and Voting ID

“Democrats are destroying our country but we stopped it just in the brink of time,” said President Trump who also said: “Government is to protect American citizens, not illegal aliens.” The President also touted the SAVE America Act that requires Voter ID and which the Senate still needs to pass.

“We need to approve this act that stops illegal aliens and other non-citizens from voting in our sacred American elections. Cheating is rampant in our elections. We need proof of citizenship to vote and to stop mailing out ballots except for the ill, those with disabilities, and those in the military.

“Some 89 percent of Americans including Democrats agree. We need to enact this as common sense. The only reason you wouldn’t enact it, is to cheat. The other side makes up excuses such as ‘it is racist.’”

“To shovel snow in New York City (which has been hit with a blizzard) it takes two original forms of identification and a Social Security card, yet for voting…”

Border Security and Immigration Enforcement

“In the past nine months, zero illegal aliens have been admitted to the United States. But we will always allow people to come in legally, people that will love our country and will work hard to maintain our country.”

Trump explains why he designated Mexican drug cartels as foreign terrorist organizations and why he classified fentanyl as a weapon of mass destruction and details how the U.S.. took down a major cartel kingpin in Mexico.

The President urged Congress to pass legislation prohibiting states from issuing a commercial driver’s license to individuals in the country illegally. The proposal is called the “Dalilah Law” name for Dalilah Coleman, a child who was injured in a crash involving a truck driver who was in the country unlawfully.

“Dalilah Coleman was only 5 years old in June 2024 when an 18-wheel tractor-trailer plowed into her stopped car, traveling at 60 mph or more. The driver was an illegal alien let in by Joe Biden and given a commercial driver’s license by open-border politicians in California.

“Doctors told Dalilah would never be able to work or talk, have a good life. She wouldn’t even be able to eat again. But against all odds, she is now in the first grade, learning to walk. And she’s here this evening with her dad, Marcus, a fantastic man.

“The only thing standing between Americans and a wide-open border right now is President Donald J. Trump and our great Republican patriots in Congress.”

Other Special Guests

• The U.S. men’s hockey team (winners of the goal medal in a 2-1 overtime victory over Canada) with special mention to goalie Connor Hellebuyck who he said would receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom for saving 41 goals in the gold game.

• Erika Kirk, the widow of Charlie Kirk, the co-founder of Turning Point USA.

• Vermont World War II veteran Geroge Taggart, better known as “Buddy” who turns 100 years old on July 4th.

• Royce Williams who received a Congressional Medal, who became legendary for a dogfight with Soviet planes in blizzard conditions while taking 263 bullets to his own plane and being seriously hurt while taking down four enemy planes.

• Army Chief Warrant Officer Eric Slover, who received a Medal of Honor for operating an Army Chinook and taking hostile fire, injuring him during the capture of Venezuelan dictator Nicolas Maduro in January.

• Purple Hearts were received by the family of the late Arm Spc. Sarah Beckstrom, 20, fatally injured on the streets of Washington D.C ahead of Thanksgiving 2025 and to U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Andrew Wolfe,

• U.S. Coast Guard Petty Officer 3rd Class Scott Ruskan, who received the Legion of Merit medal for extraordinary heroism for saving 165 people during the deadly Texas floods in July 2025.

Other Points

• Prescription prices going down through Trumprx.gov.

• The launch of a rate pay protection plan for driving energy costs down.

• The availability of more homes through banning investors from purchasing multiple single family homes.

• Protection of Social Security and Medicare.

• A plan to match $1,000 a year for workers who do not have employers matching their retirement contributions.

• A request to Congress to pass The Stop Insider Trading Act, which bans members of Congress, their spouses and dependent children for purchasing publicly traded stock and requires advance public notice before any sale. The President mentioned Nancy Pelosi by name for Congressional stock trading.

• President Trump announced that the “war on fraud” would be led by Vice President J.D. Vance.

• President Trump demanded a ban on socially transitioning minors without parental consent. Trump made the remarks as he called on Sage Blair, a Virginia teen whose family filed a 2023 lawsuit alleging the Appomattox County High School staff of socially transitioning her without their knowledge. When Blair ran away from home, she became the victim of sex trafficking as she was kidnapped and raped in multiple states. Blair now has a full-scholarship to attend Liberty University in Virginia.

• Memphis (TN), New Orleans (LA), and Washington (DC) have almost no crime. The crime in D.C is the lowest recorded in history. Murders are down almost 100 percent from a year ago.

• Eight wars ended in the first 10 months of the Trump administration.

• Hostages taken in Israel–both living and dead–all have been returned.

• The war between Ukraine and Russia must stop. “If I was President, this war would have never begun. Every month there are 25,000 soldiers dying.”

• “We must stop Iran from having nuclear weapons” (Operation Midnight Hammer).

• “During my first term, we rebuilt our military by approving a trillion dollar budget.”

• “We now have our NATO partners paying their fair share of military expenses”

• “We’re giving a Warrior Dividend of 1776 dollars to all our military personnel”

• “Space Force is my baby” and “we’re moving forward”

Pre-SOTU Poll And Closing Remarks

One television network poll showed that viewers wanted to hear about the economy and tariffs (37 percent) over immigration (22 percent), midterms (20 percent) and foreign policy (17 percent).

“We are celebrating 250 years as a nation. We are at the pinnacle of human civilization. We are the most powerful, successful nation in all history. When God needed a nation to work His miracles, He knew who to ask. There is no challenge, no frontier we cannot conquer–no horizon or restraint to our destiny. The golden age of America is upon us. What began in 1776–the flame still burns in America. God bless you . God bless America.”

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CaliRed News is working toward Making California Red by the 2026 elections through reaching Gen Z (ages 13-28), Hispanics, and Christians with biblical traditional values and their pastors. CaliRed News reports on political, business, community, nonprofit, and church news. Free subscriptions are available: https://substack.com/@calirednews.

Mike Hernandez, is co-founder of the Citizens Journal–Ventura County’s online news service and writes for MountainTopMedia.com. He is a former Southern California daily newspaper journalist and religion and news editor, writer of “CaliRed News” on Substack.com and “Prayer Over News Daily” and edits the weekly “Stories Speak Volumes” and other columns. Mr. Hernandez mentors citizen journalists and can be contacted at MikeHernandezMedia.com.

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