Former President Donald Trump‘s State of the Union address on February 24, 2025, attracted approximately 27.8 million viewers across seven major broadcast and cable networks, according to preliminary data from Nielsen. This figure marks a 12 percent decline compared to Trump’s address to a joint session of Congress in 2025, transforming what the White House aimed to be a significant showcase of a second term into a disappointing ratings scenario.
The implications of this drop extend beyond just viewership numbers. A pattern emerges where presidents who project ambitious visions for national renewal often find their audiences disengaged. The current ratings and reaction metrics reveal a fragmented political landscape, one that remains highly contested.
In comparison, Trump’s audience was notably smaller than that of President Joe Biden, whose 2024 State of the Union address garnered 32.2 million viewers. Trump’s peak audience during his first term reached 47.7 million in 2017. Such comparisons are significant in a media environment where capturing attention is akin to competing in the entertainment arena.
The lengthy duration of Trump’s speech— lasting 1 hour and 47 minutes—also contributed to its reception. This duration is reportedly the longest for a State of the Union address, surpassing Bill Clinton‘s record of 1 hour and 28 minutes in 2000. An address of such length can feel less like a formal presentation and more like a grueling test for viewers already fatigued by political rhetoric.
Among the viewing figures, Fox News led all networks with 9.1 million viewers, indicating where Trump’s most loyal audience resides. However, a more telling metric is the viewer sentiment; only 38 percent reported a ‘very positive’ reaction, the lowest among Trump’s five major addresses to Congress. Such numbers suggest that any celebratory remarks from the White House may be premature.
The political fallout extended beyond television ratings. Reports indicate that nearly half of House and Senate Democrats participated in a coordinated boycott of the event. This boycott coincided with a rally organized by MoveOn and MeidasTouch, which featured Democratic Senators Chris Murphy, Tina Smith, and Chris Van Hollen.
While not every Democratic leader boycotted the address, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer were present. Jeffries reportedly advised members to either skip the address or remain in “silent defiance.” Nevertheless, not all adhered to this guidance, as Representatives Ilhan Omar and Rashida Tlaib heckled Trump during the speech. Omar’s remarks, particularly during Trump’s defense of his immigration policies, underscored the tensions present in the chamber.
In response to the heckling, Trump took to Truth Social, describing Omar and Tlaib in derogatory terms, suggesting they exhibited “the bulging, bloodshot eyes of crazy people.” This interaction reflects the increasingly polarized nature of American politics, where formal addresses often devolve into cultural clashes.
Senator Mark Kelly criticized Trump for using the address to “further divide us as a nation,” labeling the tone as “angry.” This sentiment echoed through various media outlets. The Guardian commented that Trump “had run out of steam,” while Axios characterized the address as a “rose-colored spectacle” disconnected from pressing public concerns regarding inflation and immigration.
Critics noted a stark contrast between Trump’s optimistic portrayal of a “Golden Age” and the reality that 65 percent of Americans disapprove of his handling of inflation. Such discrepancies present significant challenges for any political narrative.
The media’s reaction was swift and critical. Columnists from the New York Times slammed the performance, with Jamelle Bouie highlighting “braying racism” and Elizabeth Williamson describing it as “tedious.” The Daily Beast went further, labeling it a “craven, meandering, mean-spirited flop,” while The New Republic referred to Trump as a “malicious buffoon” whose administration stands as “an affront to everything we have… as Americans.”
The mixed reception of Trump’s address illustrates the ongoing struggles of political figures in capturing both attention and approval in a fragmented media landscape. As the political climate continues to evolve, the repercussions of this event will likely resonate beyond viewership statistics.
