What Republicans do, and don’t, want to hear from Trump at State of the Union

Published February 17, 2026 7:00am ET



Congressional Republicans are pleading with President Donald Trump to exercise message discipline on major domestic issues in his upcoming State of the Union address as the 2026 elections begin.

In interviews with the Washington Examiner, GOP lawmakers desire for Trump to acknowledge affordability concerns and immigration blunders, avoid 2024 election gloating, and leave political grievances at the door.

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