President Trump's State-of-the-Union Variety Show

"Tonight, however, was not about communication, it was about showmanship. Almost every line was a cue for applause from obedient Republicans; they even gave Jared Kushner a standing ovation. Every few minutes, Trump told a story, and reached out into the audience like the host of The Price Is Right, telling people to come on down."

"Trump did his usual rote lying about the economy-pity the fact-checkers who tried to keep up even in the first 10 minutes or so of the speech-along with some of his other greatest hits, including the many wars he stopped and the magic of tariffs."

"Normally, this honor is bestowed for a lifetime of achievement, but this time it was given as if the young athlete had chosen the right door and found a new car."

Donald Trump delivered the longest State of the Union address in modern history, emphasizing showmanship over substance. The speech featured numerous guest appearances and special recognitions, with Trump adopting roles as game-show host and ringmaster. He made familiar claims about the economy, wars stopped, and tariffs while criticizing the Supreme Court's involvement in tariff decisions. Unlike Ronald Reagan's efficient 31-minute address focused on important communication, Trump's lengthy speech relied on frequent applause cues from Republicans and audience interactions resembling game-show hosting. Presidential Medal of Freedom awards were distributed casually, including to Olympic athlete Connor Hellebuyck, typically reserved for lifetime achievement. The address prioritized entertainment value and emotional appeals through guest recognitions over policy substance.

Read at The Atlantic