NAACP Issues Rebuttal to Trump’s State of the Union Address
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 25, 2026
Contact: Chyna Fields, cfields@naacpnet.org
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Last night, President Trump gave his first official State of the Union address of his second administration. The address, which took place during the 100th Black History Month, failed to offer a glimmer of promise for the future of Black Americans. The key topics of his remarks instead emphasized ending DEI across America, deploying ICE in our nation's cities to target immigrants of color, doubling down on his push to make it harder for citizens to vote through the SAVE Act, and keeping his promise to "drill baby drill" — referencing an increase in oil and gas production in America.
NAACP President & CEO, Derrick Johnson, released this statement in rebuttal to the State of the Union:
"The address to the nation that we watched last night was a mess, as expected. Trump is failing everyday Americans, and we must not allow him to continue to trample over our rights and roll back the progress that so many of us fought so hard for."
"Because of his failed policies, we're in a K-shaped economy, one that wins for the wealthy and that's poor for the poor. Families are going hungry and sick. And people no longer have access to affordable healthcare.
"From ICE prowling our nation's most diverse cities to election office raids in swing states, we are witnessing the actions of a dictatorship. The time for change is now. The time to band together is now. The time for unity, the time for progress, and the time for restored belief in the promise of this nation is now."
As we approach the 250th anniversary of the American Experiment, following the first year of Donald Trump's second term as President of the United States, Black people continue to be subjected to policies that are dismantling the very freedoms this country was built on. Policy violence has become the hallmark of this Administration, proving to all Americans that cruelty is the point.
The NAACP has, and will always, advocate for progress. From our nation's courtrooms to the halls of Congress, and even in the Oval Office, we advocate. We are a resilient and battle-tested century-old organization with grassroots advocates in every corner of this nation. Our network will continue the work necessary to ensure Black America, and all of America, can live in true freedom.
For more information about our work, visit naacp.org.
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About NAACP
The NAACP advocates, agitates, and litigates for the civil rights due to Black America. Our legacy is built on the foundation of grassroots activism by the biggest civil rights pioneers of the 20th century and is sustained by 21st century activists. From classrooms and courtrooms to city halls and Congress, our network of members across the country works to secure the social and political power that will end race-based discrimination. That work is rooted in racial equity, civic engagement, and supportive policies and institutions for all marginalized people. We are committed to a world without racism where Black people enjoy equitable opportunities in thriving communities.
NOTE: The Legal Defense Fund – also referred to as the NAACP-LDF - was founded in 1940 as a part of the NAACP, but now operates as a completely separate entity.