Trump Addresses the Nation as Political and Economic Storms Swirl

NEVADA - Tonight, Donald Trump delivered the first State of the Union address of his second term, speaking to the Nation amid a partial government shutdown tied to a funding standoff over the Department of Homeland Security. Despite calls from some Republicans to postpone the speech until the shutdown was resolved, the President moved forward with the address.

In the days leading up to tonight’s remarks, headlines were dominated by continued scrutiny surrounding the Epstein files, Trump's abysmal poll numbers, the ongoing DHS funding impasse, disappointing jobs numbers, and broader economic inequality. Nevada organizations offered the following reactions to the President’s address. 

Paula Luna, Interim Executive Director of Battle Born Progress, issued the following statement:

“Today’s State of the Union tells us nothing we don’t already know. Trump and his MAGA cronies have looted the American government, enriching themselves and their allies while taking a sledgehammer to the parts of government that work for everyday Americans. Nevadans are now all too familiar with the effects of Trumpism. Affordability has cratered, tourism is floundering, and regular people are left in the lurch. That Nevada’s governor has capitulated to Trump’s bulldozing time and again should be a scandal in its own right. But Nevadans know they deserve better, and their voices will be heard.”

André Wade, Silver State Equality, issued the following statement:

“The backlash against Donald Trump’s extremism grows louder every day, evidenced by polls that show a widening disconnect from Americans. His State of the Union offered predictable falsehoods, no relief for families facing rising costs, and troubling priorities like unchecked DHS/ICE expansion, corruption, foreign policy failures, and attacks on free speech and a free press that threaten democracy itself. In Nevada, our governor continues to align with many of these divisive policies that harm all of us. Yet, together - we the people – are powerful! We will Rise Up together – by voting in every election with numbers and victories that cannot be challenged even by an immoral administration, by organizing peacefully in our communities so our voices cannot be ignored, and by protesting with our wallets in support of businesses and leaders who uphold civil rights, transparency and democratic values.  Silver State Equality and the LGBTQ+ community join with our friends, neighbors and allies to lead the way for collective action, rooted in justice, nonviolence and equality that will shape the future we all deserve.

Kimberly Carden, Indivisible Northern Nevada Leadership Team, issued the following statement:

“We don’t need to watch 90 minutes of lies and gaslighting to know the true state of our union,” said Kimberly Carden of Indivisible Northern Nevada. “Not a single promise from this corrupt administration has been kept. Their policies are making our country weaker and less safe—driving economic freefall, record unemployment, and forcing millions of families to choose between healthcare and groceries. While they wage war on our cities and target immigrant communities, they protect billionaire donors who commit real crimes with impunity. America’s standing as a global leader has been shattered. The time for decorum is over. It’s time to confront the truth, reject authoritarianism, and start rebuilding what this administration has so recklessly destroyed.”

Dr. Harpreet Tsui, internal medicine physician and Nevada Lead for the Committee to Protect Health Care, issued the following statement:

“Physicians are witnessing the impact of President Trump’s actions on our patients, and the prognosis isn’t good. From slashing Medicaid funding to allowing ACA tax credits to expire, this administration is making it more expensive and difficult for families to get the health care they need. My patients are having to make tough choices about their budgets in order to afford their monthly premiums, or otherwise just skipping care altogether. President Trump can say whatever he wants, but doctors know the truth: patients are getting sicker and poorer under his presidency.”

Barbara Hartzell, Executive Director of Native Voters Alliance Nevada, issued the following statement:

“Today, Trump preached the successes of his second term. Successes like families tolerating hunger pains to make their money stretch, Americans straining to keep a roof over their heads, and parents losing sleep over the future their children will face. Under Trump’s regime, we’ve seen Tribal citizens aggressively apprehended by ICE and illegally detained to strongarm Tribal governments to the bargaining table. Sacred Tribal land protections have been revoked and denied in retaliation for our people standing up for what’s right. Somehow, we’re supposed to believe that it’s all worth it because the wealthy have overflowing wallets amidst the sea of struggle we’re all trying to navigate. While we recognize that the overwhelm of the past year is by design, we refuse to let our vision and missions be clouded. Our Native communities and Tribal Nations will not be bullied into submission. We commend the warriors across Indian Country who spend every day fighting against this administration’s best efforts to strip our people of our power.”

Denise Lopez, Reproductive Freedom for All Director of Nevada Campaigns, issued the following statement:

“Tonight, Donald Trump continued to lie about the state of our union, but working families in Nevada know the truth. More than 110,000 Nevadans stand to lose their health coverage under Trump’s devastating Medicaid cuts; Planned Parenthood is under attack, threatening sexual and reproductive health care access for hundreds of thousands of Nevadans; hospitals across the state are under strain; and hardworking families face crushing health care costs because Congressional Republicans have refused to extend Affordable Care Act enhanced premium tax credits. And even in Nevada, where abortion is legal and voters overwhelmingly support reproductive freedom, federal cuts mean clinics are at risk of closing and people are struggling to get basic care. While Trump advances his anti-abortion, anti-democracy, anti-freedom agenda, Nevadans are paying the ultimate price.”

Laura Martin, Executive Director of the Progressive Leadership Alliance of Nevada Action Fund, issued the following statement:

“PLANistas refuse to be gaslit by Donald Trump’s rhetoric that doesn’t match reality. Across Nevada, families are struggling with high costs for housing, utilities, groceries, and health care while corporate profits soar. Instead of delivering real relief, this administration has doubled down on policies that protect the wealthy and well-connected. We have seen communities terrorized by aggressive immigration raids that have ripped parents from their children and destabilized entire neighborhoods. And we continue to witness a pattern of corruption and self-dealing that puts Trump’s personal power ahead of the public good. Nevadans deserve leadership rooted in dignity, transparency, and justice, not division, fear, and broken promises.”

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About Battle Born Progress: Battle Born Progress, through strategic communication efforts, empowers, engages and mobilizes Nevada voters to build a state where everyone has a fair opportunity to succeed. We support, engage, and mobilize the progressive community through bold leadership, strategic communications, accountability, and education. We are on the cutting edge of new media and are the go-to source for progressive issues and advocacy for traditional media.