IN THE RUN-UP to the 47th President of the United States’ 2026 State of the Union speech – the first of “Trump 2.0” – commentators argued that it would be inconsequential and seen by a relatively small audience, who already have entrenched views about the most controversial man on the planet.

That is probably underestimating its import, but having stayed up nearly all night to watch it, I do not believe that it will move the needle much with the electorate, if at all.

A poll of onlookers conducted by CNN immediately afterward reveals that 38% were very positive, 25% were somewhat positive and 36% were negative. It is foolhardy to extrapolate excessively therefrom. These voters are older and more conservative than the wider population. The 63% who were broadly favourable is a low figure by comparison to previous years.

A couple of non-political points are worth making at the start. Number one, and as was suggested by administration sources beforehand, at roughly an hour and 50 minutes, it was far too lengthy. Even allowing for Trump’s undeniable capacity to be entertaining and funny, whether one loves or loathes him, sitting through it was an endurance test.

Pete Hegseth exits the House Chamber after President Donald Trump delivered the State of the Union. Alamy Stock Photo Alamy Stock Photo

Number two, it was quite embarrassing to witness the US Vice President and Speaker of the US House of Representatives leap to their feet at the close of every other sentence and, by so doing, implicitly order their GOP colleagues to similarly demonstrate their reverence for the boss. Standing ovations are an element of this annual occasion. There were too many this time, and they only prolonged the agony.

President Trump certainly kept the fact checkers busy with a litany of........

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