Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., called President Donald Trump’s State of the Union address ‘lazy’ after the president delivered what is now considered the longest such speech in American history, lasting 1 hour and 48 minutes, according to the American Presidency Project (APP).

Historical Records Broken

The speech, delivered on Tuesday night, surpassed Trump’s previous record and moved him ahead of former President Bill Clinton in total time among official State of the Union speeches, according to APP data.

Trump’s 2026 address officially gave him the longest recorded State of the Union speech, placing him ahead of Clinton in the historical rankings. The address also holds the unofficial record for the most words delivered in a State of the Union address, estimated at 10,, according to APP.

According to APP data, Trump now holds three of the top five longest State of the Union-related speeches, including his 2025 address before a joint session of Congress, which was not technically a State of the Union because it occurred during the first year of his term.

Criticism of Speech Content

Pelosi criticized the president for dedicating portions of the speech to recognizing individuals and celebrating American achievements, including the gold-medal-winning Team USA men’s hockey team, Erika Kirk, the widow of Charlie Kirk, Purple Heart recipient Staff Sgt. Andrew Wolfe, 24, and the Gold Star parents of U.S. Army Spc. Sarah Beckstrom, 20, a member of the West Virginia National Guard.

Wolfe and Beckstrom were shot by an Afghanistan war refugee while serving as part of the Trump administration security detail in Washington, D.C., last year.

‘It’s one thing to acknowledge patriotism and people getting well and everything when you have absolutely nothing to do with their courage or the rest,’ Pelosi told CNN. ‘But you spend an hour and a half doing it — what is the state of the nation?’

Legislative References and Bipartisan Support

During the address, President Trump directly referenced Pelosi while urging Congress to advance legislation aimed at restricting stock trading by members of Congress and their families.

‘Let’s also ensure that members of Congress cannot corruptly profit from using insider information,’ Trump said, drawing one of the few bipartisan standing ovations of the night.

‘They stood up for that. I can’t believe it. I can’t believe it,’ he added, gesturing toward the Democrat side of the chamber. ‘Did Nancy Pelosi stand up – if she’s here – doubt it,’ he continued.

The proposed legislation, which currently has 91 Republican and two Democratic co-sponsors in the House, would prohibit members of Congress, along with their spouses and dependents, from trading stocks.

Pelosi and her husband, Paul Pelosi, have faced scrutiny in recent years over their investments. The former House speaker is among the wealthiest members of Congress.

Trump’s speech, which included personal acknowledgments and legislative proposals, highlights the ongoing political tensions and scrutiny surrounding both the executive and legislative branches of the federal government.

The debate over stock trading by lawmakers has been a growing issue in recent years, with increasing calls for transparency and reform in congressional financial practices.

As the political landscape continues to evolve, the implications of Trump’s speech and the proposed legislation remain under close watch by both supporters and critics.