2WAY Tonight with Mark Halperin Dozens of Democrats Sit Out Trump's State of the Union as Tensions Grow
Feb 25, 2026
Katy Balls, Washington editor for The Times (UK), offers a sharp international view. Wills Robinson, Executive Editor at the Daily Mail, provides editorial analysis. Nikki Schwab, Daily Mail political reporter, brings on-the-ground congressional coverage. They preview the State of the Union, debate Trump's likely themes, discuss Democratic absences, tangents, and political fallout in fast, opinionated exchanges.
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Lunch With Anchors Leaked Lines About Iran
- Wills Robinson recounts Trump's lunch with network anchors leaking lines like "They just can't say the magic words."
- That behind-the-scenes exchange informed expectations for Iran references and tax-cut messaging.
Trump Will Lean On Economy And Familiar Hits
- Trump will emphasize domestic wins and the economy, calling the next three years a "golden age."
- Wills Robinson predicts he'll reuse familiar themes, mix in Iran and border talk, and perform for audience reactions.
Speech Length Hinges On Crowd Energy
- Timing and length of Trump's speech are unpredictable, with competing bets on whether he'll exceed 100 minutes.
- Nikki and Katie expect him to go long if he drifts off-script or feeds off crowd energy like the hockey team presence.