 "Trump delivers the longest State of the Union speech. Who held the record before him?")
US President Donald Trump delivered the State of the Union (Sotu) speech at the Capitol on Tuesday. At one hour and 48 minutes, he made the longest speech before a joint session of Congress in 60 years.
With this speech, Trump broke the record he set last year when he spoke for an hour and 39 minutes. He began his speech by declaring that America is bigger, better, richer and stronger than ever before.
Before him, former US President Bill Clinton held the record of the longest speech in 2000. Meanwhile, former US President Richard Nixon gave the shortest speech in 1972 at 28 minutes and 55 seconds.
Let’s take a look at the longest State of the Union speeches in history.
Donald Trump
The 79-year-old leader gave the longest speech this year at the Capitol, lasting one hour and 48 minutes. Throughout the speech, he touched upon several important topics ranging from the economy to immigration.
He stressed how he ended eight wars across the world since returning to the top office in January 2025. Some of these conflicts were between Israel and Iran, Egypt and Ethiopia, Thailand and Cambodia, Armenia and Azerbaijan, and India and Pakistan.
He also stressed how he will not allow Iran to develop nuclear weapons amid fears of war between Tehran and Washington. He noted that while Iran is eager to strike a deal with the US to avert conflict, it has yet to make a firm commitment to never pursuing a nuclear weapon.
Speaking on the US economy, he stressed lower gas prices, a decreasing inflation rate, and rising incomes. These remarks were made as Americans face cost-of-living concerns.
“Today, our border is secure, our spirit is restored. Inflation is plummeting, and incomes are rising fast. The roaring economy is roaring like never before, and our enemies are scared. Our military and police are stacked, and America is respected again,” Trump said at the beginning of his address.
He further spoke about his immigration crackdown, claiming the “most secure border in American history by far.” He also said that due to his strict immigration stance, “America is respected again, perhaps like never before.”
Interestingly, the previous record was also held by Trump at one hour and 39 minutes, according to the University of California–Santa Barbara’s American Presidency Project.
During last year’s speech, which technically wasn’t a State of the Union address, he focused on pursuing a deal to end the war in Ukraine while mentioning possible negotiations with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy as part of his foreign policy. He had also stressed cracking down on illegal immigration and highlighted crimes committed by undocumented migrants through invited guests.
Bill Clinton
Before Trump, former President Bill Clinton has given the longest State of the Union speech on January 27, 2000, which lasted for one hour and 28 minutes.
Clinton highlighted the economic boom of the 1990s while focusing on low unemployment, strong growth, and budget surpluses. During the speech, he also focused on expanding medicare to include prescription drug coverage for seniors and called for broader access to affordable healthcare.
On foreign policy, he highlighted America’s role in promoting peace and stability, including efforts in the Balkans after the Kosovo conflict, while emphasising globalisation and international cooperation.
Richard Nixon
The shortest State of the Union speech in history was given by former President Richard Nixon. He spoke for 28 minutes and 55 seconds on topics ranging from the Vietnam War to the economy and inflation.
He highlighted the progress toward ending US involvement in the Vietnam War by shifting combat roles to South Vietnamese forces while calling troops away from the war. He further expressed optimism about achieving peace with honour.
According to reports, he addressed inflation and economic instability, defending wage and price controls introduced in 1971. Nixon proposed restructuring federal programs to give more power to state and local governments (often called “New Federalism”).
with inputs from agencies
 "‘Want to come back home, but can’t’: Why Indian medical students are reluctant to leave Iran")
 "Four years later, how close is Russia to achieving its goals in Ukraine?")
 "What is Trump’s Dalilah Law that targets Indian-origin truck drivers?")
 "After Kerala gets nod for Keralam, will Bengal be renamed Bangla?")
 "‘Want to come back home, but can’t’: Why Indian medical students are reluctant to leave Iran")
 "Four years later, how close is Russia to achieving its goals in Ukraine?")
 "What is Trump’s Dalilah Law that targets Indian-origin truck drivers?")
 "After Kerala gets nod for Keralam, will Bengal be renamed Bangla?")
