CBS’s Tony Dokoupil Reacts to Trump’s ‘Extraordinary’ & ‘Historic’ SOTU Address
What To Know
- Tony Dokoupil described President Trump’s State of the Union address as “extraordinary” and “historic,” noting it was the longest in history.
- The speech focused heavily on the economy and culture issues such as immigration, gender, and voter ID.
- House Speaker Mike Johnson criticized Democrats who boycotted the address, emphasizing the importance of respecting the institution.
CBS Evening News host Tony Dokoupil shared his thoughts on President Donald Trump‘s State of the Union address Tuesday night (February 24), calling it “extraordinary” and “historic.”
After Trump’s record-breaking 1 hour and 47 minute speech, Dokoupil told viewers, “The first State of the Union address of Donald J. Trump’s second term is in the books. It was an extraordinary speech, the longest to a joint session in history, the longest State of the Union in history.”
He went on to say the address was “vintage Trump: combative, populist. Historic for other reasons, as well.”
The former CBS Mornings co-host, who was promoted to Evening News in January 2026, noted how the first half of the speech was “all about the economy, an issue we know a lot of Americans want to hear about.”
Dokoupil said Trump touted his impact on the economy, but did so “against a wall of negative opinion that we see in our polls.”
However, the “heart of the speech,” Dokoupil stated, was on culture issues. “Immigration, gender, voter I.D., and a line that wasn’t in the script but he ad-libbed, ‘The first duty of elected officials is to protect Americans, not illegal aliens.’ He seemed at times to be goading Democrats into reacting, and at times they took that bait.”
Chief Washington Correspondent Major Garrett also addressed Trump’s ad-lib, saying, “Whether it was ad-libbed or not, the first obligation, American citizens versus illegal aliens, was meant to create a visual moment of perpetual contrast. It oversimplifies the issue dramatically. But if anyone has learned how to master that art, some call it a dark art, in American presidential politics, it’s Donald Trump.”
Ahead of Trump’s address, Dokoupil sat down with Mike Johnson, where he asked the House Speaker about some Democrats boycotting the president’s SOTU.
“I think it’s detestable that members would boycott the speech,” Johnson said. “We’ve never done that. It doesn’t matter if there’s a Democrat president, you go and respect the office, you respect the decorum, the institution, the tradition of having had this speech made.”
This came after several Democrats, including Sens. Ed Markey of Massachusetts, Jeff Merkley of Oregon, Chris Murphy of Connecticut, Tina Smith of Minnesota, and Chris Van Hollen of Maryland, planned to attend the “People’s State of the Union” at the National Mall at the same time as Trump’s address.
“We play for one team,” Johnson added. “We’re all for America.”
CBS Evening News With Tony Dokoupil, Weeknights, 6:30/5:30c, CBS
Conversation7 Comments
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J
Just a polite way of saying the speech was "long and boring. The words "combative, populist" actually means "nasty, appealing to his base."
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A
Yep and I'd add "delusional" especially when he said "We're winning so much!" after shamelessly presenting the American Olympic Men's Hockey team with their Gold Medals and then letting the mostly Republican crowd chant "USA! USA! USA!" which I'd be glad of if it's just for the team but not for this jerk (to put it kindly) of a president!
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I
So, not one word about all of the lies in the speech?
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D
Right - no fact checking in any way. Still, some are saying Dokoupil kind of pandered to Trump - did he?
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E
Ye olde CBS might have mentioned them, but not the new, obedient version.
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G
Mindless drivel from Ken Doll.
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A
I will never watch CBS news again--Tony--you are a traitor to the United States--the PEOPLE --shame on you. Must be a nice paycheck
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