On February 24, 2026, President Donald Trump delivered his State of the Union address before a joint session of Congress at the Capitol in Washington, D.C.
Broadcasted during prime time and coinciding with the upcoming 250th anniversary of American independence, the speech allowed Trump to review the first year of his second term and outline his priorities on economic, immigration, and foreign policy fronts.
However, a significant omission was noticeable. Trump did not mention Cuba at any point, despite anticipation in South Florida and among exile communities hoping for an announcement or direct reference to the island.
Economic Focus: Inflation and the "Golden Era"
A substantial portion of Trump's address was dedicated to economic metrics. He reported a drop in core inflation to 1.7% by the end of 2025 and highlighted the reduction in gas prices, job growth, and stock market records.
Trump defended his tariff policies as catalysts for new investments, claiming over $18 trillion in commitments within a year. He also touted tax cuts on tips and overtime, expansion of the child tax credit, and the introduction of "Trump Accounts" for minors.
In terms of energy, he emphasized increased oil and gas production in the U.S. and announced agreements for major tech companies to generate their own electricity to meet the rising demand from AI data centers.
Immigration, Security, and Electoral Reform
The president declared the southern border "the most secure in history," stating that no illegal immigrants had been admitted in the past nine months. He cited reductions in fentanyl trafficking and historic lows in homicide rates.
Trump urged Congress to pass new laws to strengthen border security, eliminate "sanctuary cities," and mandate voter ID and citizenship verification.
He announced a "war on fraud" in public programs and supported deploying the National Guard in various cities to combat crime.
This section included remarks on Mexico, addressing the fight against drug cartels and designating these groups as foreign terrorist organizations.
Global Affairs: Venezuela, Iran, and Worldwide Conflicts
Internationally, Trump claimed to have helped end several conflicts and highlighted the military operation in Venezuela that led to Nicolás Maduro's capture in January, labeling it a "colossal victory" for U.S. security.
He mentioned working with interim Venezuelan President Delcy Rodríguez and celebrated the release of political prisoners amid a transition process in the country.
Trump also discussed negotiations with Iran following the dismantling of its nuclear program in the so-called Midnight Hammer Operation, reiterating a commitment to prevent Tehran from acquiring nuclear weapons.
The speech touched on the Russia-Ukraine war, the situation in Gaza, and agreements between various conflicting nations.
Despite this extensive international overview, Cuba was neither directly nor indirectly mentioned. There were no announcements concerning sanctions, bilateral relations, Cuban migration, or references to the Havana regime.
For a portion of the Cuban-American electorate, hoping for concrete signals amid international pressure on allies of the Castro regime, the silence was quite telling.
The address, focused on economic strength, security, and a global image of power, made it clear that, at least this time, Cuba was not at the forefront of Trump's priorities.
FAQs on Trump's 2026 State of the Union Address
Why was Cuba not mentioned in Trump's State of the Union Address?
Cuba was not mentioned in the address, possibly indicating it is not currently a priority for Trump's administration, despite expectations from the Cuban-American community.
What were the main focuses of Trump's 2026 State of the Union speech?
The speech primarily focused on economic achievements, immigration policies, security measures, and international relations, particularly highlighting Venezuela and Iran.