108 Minutes of Self-Praise: Why Trump's Record-Breaking State of the Union Address Said 'Not a Single Word' About Korea
President Trump completed his first State of the Union address of his second term on February 24, 2026 — a record-breaking 108 minutes. He covered tariff escalation, the Iran nuclear threat, and immigration achievements, but said not a single word about South Korea or North Korea. Despite a Supreme Court ruling against tariffs, he announced 'even stronger tariffs,' signaling a new phase in the trade war.
Why you need to watch this now: Immediately after the Supreme Court struck down tariffs as 'unlawful,' Trump used his longest-ever address to declare 'even stronger tariffs.' Korea wasn't mentioned once in those 108 minutes.
TL;DR
- On February 24, 2026 (local time), President Trump completed his first State of the Union address of his second term — a record-breaking 108 minutes
- Focused on tariffs, immigration, and Iran's nuclear program; no mention of South Korea or North Korea
- Expressed "regret" over the Supreme Court's IEEPA tariff ruling and warned of stronger tariffs under Trade Act Sections 301 and 232
- All Democratic members wore white and refused to stand; Rep. Al Green was removed for holding a sign reading 'Black People Are Not Monkeys'
- Fact-checks by CNN, NYT, BBC, and others: many claims found to be "inaccurate or exaggerated"
The Facts: 108 Minutes — What Did He Say?
President Trump delivered his first joint address to Congress of his second term on the evening of February 24 (local time). At 107–108 minutes, he broke his own previous record of 82 minutes set in 2019.
Key Remarks Summary
| Topic | Key Content |
|---|---|
| Tariffs | "Regret the Supreme Court ruling — new tariffs will be far stronger than before" |
| Tariff Revenue | "Tariffs can replace income taxes" (NYT: 2024 tariffs $300B vs. income tax $2.4T — exaggerated) |
| Iran Nuclear | "Nuclear weapons absolutely unacceptable — will not hesitate to use military force" |
| Immigration | Listed crackdown achievements and expressed gratitude |
| Economy | "We've tamed inflation — the golden age has arrived" |
| Korea / North Korea | No mention |
| China | Criticized trade imbalance; no specific new measures announced |
Why It Went Viral: Why Is This Trending in Korea?
There are three reasons Trump's State of the Union topped Korea's real-time search trends.
① Right after the Supreme Court's tariff ruling — The address took place immediately after the Federal Supreme Court ruled IEEPA (International Emergency Economic Powers Act)-based reciprocal tariffs unlawful. Trump's declaration that he would maintain tariff policy through a combination of Trade Act Sections 122 (10%→15%), 301, and 232 amplified Korea's export uncertainty once again.
② Complete silence on Korea and North Korea — During his first-term State of the Union addresses, Trump put the Korean Peninsula front and center, even bringing North Korean defectors on stage. This time, there wasn't a single mention. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs explained that "Korea-US alliance issues are being handled through separate channels," but it was widely read as a signal that the diplomatic center of gravity has shifted toward Europe and the Middle East.
③ The dramatic moments of the address itself — The silent resistance of Democratic members dressed in white, the forced removal of Rep. Al Green, and Trump's outburst of "Shame on you!" toward members who refused to stand went viral across social media.
Context and Background: A New Phase in the Trade War
The Trump administration's tariff policy changed three times within two weeks.
- February 19 — Federal Supreme Court rules IEEPA-based reciprocal tariffs unlawful (6-3)
- February 20 — Trump immediately imposes 10% global tariff under Trade Act Section 122
- February 21 — Announces 15% increase via Truth Social
- February 24 — State of the Union: invokes Sections 301 and 232, declares tariffs "far stronger than before"
The Section 122 trap: It allows tariffs of up to 15% for a maximum of 150 days, but congressional approval is required thereafter. Trump is using this as a bridge while pursuing parallel investigations under Section 301 (response to unfair trade practices) and Section 232 (response to national security threats). Korean semiconductors, automobiles, and steel could all be targets.
Outlook: Impact on Korea
A Positive Interpretation Is Also Possible
- Given that Korea is in the process of fulfilling its $350 billion investment commitment to the US, the lack of direct criticism may represent 'managed neglect' rather than hostility.
- Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent explained that "the combination of Sections 301, 232, and 122 will result in virtually no change in tariff revenue," suggesting effective tariff rates may remain below 25%.
Checklist
Reference Links
- Trump's Second Term First State of the Union: Key Content Graphics (Yonhap News)
- Trump: 'Tariffs Will Get Far Stronger' — Comprehensive Report (Nate News)
- Fact-Check: 'Nothing Checks Out?' — International Media Fact-Checks (YTN)
- Trump's Address Had No North Korea or South Korea (Daum News)
- Trump Tariff Reset: 15% Tariff Revival (BBC Korea)
Image credit: US Capitol Building at night, Wikimedia Commons, Public Domain