Trump's State of the Union Was So Abusive That Congress Should Stop Inviting Presidents to Speak in Person
Source: David Frum. "The State of the Union Revealed a Sad Reality - The Atlantic." February 25, 2026. www.theatlantic.com
The Gist
Trump turned the State of the Union into an abusive spectacle filled with lies and insults toward Congress. Since the Constitution doesn't require presidents to speak in person, Congress should go back to requiring written reports instead of letting future presidents abuse this platform.
Conclusion
Congress should consider ending the tradition of in-person State of the Union addresses and require future presidents to submit written reports instead, due to Trump's unprecedented abuse of the ritual
Premises
- Trump systematically misused the State of the Union platform by making false claims, insulting Congress members, and demanding they rise and applaud on command
- The State of the Union ritual depends on certain standards of respectful behavior that Trump violated through name-calling, accusations, and abusive language
- Trump treated Congress as a captive audience rather than respecting his role as an invited guest in their chamber
- The Constitution only requires presidents to provide information about the state of the union 'from time to time' - it doesn't mandate annual or in-person delivery
- Historical precedent shows the tradition can be changed, as Jefferson ended in-person addresses for over a century before Wilson restored them
- Continuing to accommodate such behavior sets a dangerous precedent that anti-institutional politicians can abuse traditions while pro-institutional ones must clean up the damage
- Imposing meaningful costs for breaking norms may be the only way to restore proper standards of conduct
Assumptions
- Democratic institutions and traditions have inherent value worth protecting
- Presidential behavior during State of the Union addresses should meet certain standards of decorum and truthfulness
- Congress has the authority to withdraw invitations for in-person addresses
- Setting boundaries on institutional abuse is more important than maintaining traditions at any cost
- Future presidents might follow Trump's example if no consequences are imposed