Black Americans are bearing the brunt of policies that have dismantled protections, freedoms, and opportunities during the first year of Donald Trump's second term.
Tonight, we're watching Trump's first State of the Union address of his second term. Let's watch, discuss, and plot the path forward.
11 p.m. ET - His address was long but our mandate is short: Don't be distracted. Get registered, get informed, and vote in November. ~ Tyler
10:24 p.m. ET - This is the most violent and depressing SOTU I've ever witnessed. I can't find the policy. ~ Phaedra
10:11 p.m. ET - The SAVE Act is nothing more than voter suppression disguised as voter protection — and it's part of a larger effort to dismantle our right to vote. Trump wants to nationalize elections in direct violation of the Constitution. ~ President Johnson
Watch Live: State of the Union
10:10 p.m. ET - I wish the truth mattered. ~Phaedra
10:02 p.m. ET - Mail-in voting is just as safe as walking into your polling place — period. Every audit, every investigation, every recount has come back with the same answer: non-citizens are not voting in our elections. That's not an opinion, that's the receipts. ~ Tyler
10 p.m. ET - People aren't illegal, policies are! ~ Dr. Chris
Speaking of criminals...
9:47 p.m. ET - You can't take credit for driving down prescription costs, while ripping healthcare away from babies, children, pregnant people, seniors, those living with disabilities, and those experiencing substance use issues. You can't claim to improve health and save lives when people living with chronic health conditions like cancer, high blood pressure, diabetes, and heart disease are being pushed off the Cliff of Good Health. ~Dr. Chris
9:43 p.m. ET - Americans are being pushed off the "Cliff of Good Health." People are facing ACA premiums up by 114% over the previous year and ACA sign ups for 2026 are down by over 1 million people compared to this time last year. ~ Dr. Chris
9:37 p.m. ET - Speaking of Trump's "Great, Big Beautiful Bill?"… How about "Great, Big Lie…" Trump's economy is breaking Black families through: high inflation, rising costs, mass layoffs, stagnant wages, and crushing student debt. ~ President Johnson
9:29 p.m. ET - Deepening our dependence on oil and gas at a time where we are clearly in a climate crisis, communities are still recovering from fossil fuel decisions decades ago, and not making polluters pay does not reflect the positions of the every day person. The only people benefiting are billionaires who have few guardrails as it is. ~ Abre' Conner, Director, Center for Environmental and Climate Justice
9:27 p.m. ET - "Ending DEI" shuttered biomedical research that would have saved countless lives, improved well-being, and strengthened the health security of our nation. ~ Dr. Chris
9:23 p.m. ET - Wow. A standing ovation to ending diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI)...
9:10 p.m. ET - How can a nation be back when millions have had their healthcare ripped away, others are overwhelmed by soaring healthcare costs, and health disparities continue to cause sickness and death? ~ Dr. Chris Pernell, Director, Center for Health Equity
8:50 p.m. ET - Prep for Midterms in November has already begun. The State of the Union isn't just political noise. What gets said from that podium affects your rent, your healthcare, your ability to vote, and your kids' future. See it for yourself, draw your own conclusions based on your current circumstances - don't just hear about it tomorrow. ~ Tyler Sterling, National Campaigns Director
7:57 p.m. ET - It might be hard for someone to want to watch the SOTU and I can't blame them if they sit this one out. But, so far, almost every policy that has come out of this Administration has negatively impacted our community and so I'm watching to know what's coming and to prepare to fight back! ✊🏿 We have to pay attention, educate others, and resist. ~ Phaedra Jackson, VP, Unit Advocacy and Effectiveness
4:55 p.m. ET - Tonight, President Trump will deliver his State of the Union Address. But let's be clear: words without ruth or action mean nothing. And remember: our vote is our currency and we remain the most reliable voting bloc for decency in this country. We will not be silenced. ~ Derrick Johnson, NAACP President and CEO
4:47 p.m. ET - The kind of policy violence we've seen against our community has become the hallmark of this Administration, proving to all Americans that cruelty was always the point. But the spirit of Black America has always been strong and will never be broken.
🩺 Trump is Making America Sicker The administration's attacks on healthcare access are making America sicker, especially Black communities.
🌎 Trump is Burning the Country The administration is accelerating fossil fuel expansion and fast-tracking dirty data centers into Black and frontline communities while gutting agencies that protect us, like the EPA, FEMA, and NOAA.
📉 Trump is Breaking the Economy Trump's economy is straining Black families. Black unemployment is at 7.2%. High inflation, rising housing and food costs, mass layoffs, stagnant wages, and crushing student debt are eroding economic security — especially for the 300,000+ Black women who've lost their jobs.
🗳️ Trump is Attacking Democracy Trump is actively working to block Black access to the ballot box through gerrymandering, proof-of-citizenship barriers, attacks on vote-by-mail, and voter intimidation.
