During the 2026 State of the Union Address, a rare moment captured significant public attention as Democratic Senator Elizabeth Warren stood and applauded in support of President Donald Trump. This occurred immediately after the President issued a strong call to ban members of Congress from engaging in stock trading to ensure transparency and integrity.
Specifically, President Trump urged Congress to swiftly pass the Stop Insider Trading Act. This bill aims to prevent members of Congress, along with their spouses and dependent children, from purchasing publicly traded stocks. Additionally, the new regulation would require these individuals to publicly disclose any stock sales at least seven days in advance.
Speaking before a joint session of Congress, President Trump emphasized the importance of fairness in investment:
"As we ensure that all Americans can benefit from a rising stock market, let's also ensure that members of Congress cannot corruptly profit by using inside information."
Targeting Nancy Pelosi's Wealth
Despite Warren and some other Democratic lawmakers' responsive gestures, President Trump did not forget to deliver sarcastic remarks targeting Representative Nancy Pelosi. He reiterated Pelosi's enormous net worth, currently estimated at over $269 million, and the criticisms from Republicans regarding her husband's past stock transactions.
Pelosi, who famously tore up a copy of Trump's 2020 speech, quietly sat taking notes next to her colleagues throughout the ceremony. This is seen as a new chapter in the long-standing animosity between two of the most powerful figures in American politics today.
Tense Atmosphere and a New Record
Most Democratic lawmakers maintained a reserved demeanor, rarely applauding, and many clearly showed their dissatisfaction. Some members, such as Al Green, Ilhan Omar, and Rashida Tlaib, repeatedly interrupted the President with shouts of protest. Al Green was even asked to leave the chamber after holding up a sign protesting the speech.
This year's State of the Union event also officially made history by setting a record as the longest speech ever, lasting 1 hour and 47 minutes. Although the political landscape remains fraught with division, the proposal to tighten regulations on stock trading by politicians is becoming a hotly debated topic in Washington.
