Trump Said the Union Is Strong. Lived Experiences Say Otherwise. Plead for Help

I’m writing to express deep disappointment with President Trump’s 2026 State of the Union address and to urge you to focus on the real conditions your constituents face every day. While the president portrayed a “booming” economy and historic success, most Americans do not see it that way, as they witness friends being laid off, families skipping needed medical care, and small businesses struggling with rising costs. Independent fact checks have shown that many of the president’s key claims were misleading or false, especially on jobs, inflation, and immigration. He recycled the same grievance-driven talking points and cherry-picked statistics we’ve heard for years, instead of offering credible plans that reflect what families see in their paychecks, rent, and medical bills. After more than a year of this second term, blaming predecessors is no longer an explanation. We’re also seeing growing disillusionment among voters who once supported Donald Trump, including many who believed his promises about affordable living costs and support for working people. In interviews and focus groups, former supporters say they feel misled and ashamed as they see costs rise, services strain, and rhetoric escalate, while their communities fall further behind. Stories from these voters, people who expected relief from everyday expenses but instead watched the president double down on culture wars and performative battles, should be a red flag for every member of Congress concerned about trust in our institutions. Meanwhile, the administration’s focus on tariffs and punishment politics is making life harder for ordinary Americans. Trump has pledged to reassert and expand tariffs even after courts and economic experts raised alarms about the policies, despite clear evidence that these measures raise costs for consumers and small businesses. I urge you to respond with concrete action. First, pass legislation to cap out-of-pocket healthcare costs and strengthen marketplace subsidies so that no working family has to choose between paying rent and seeing a doctor. Second, establish guardrails requiring any new tariffs to undergo independent cost-of-living impact assessments and block tariffs that act as hidden taxes on Americans. Third, fund targeted job creation and retraining programs in communities hardest hit by layoffs instead of more tax breaks for corporations that continue to cut workers. Fourth, use your oversight powers to demand honest, transparent economic and immigration data from this administration, and hold public hearings when claims don’t match reality. We’ve seen this show before, long speeches heavy on self-praise and light on accountability, followed by another year of drifting while families tighten their belts. I urge you not to accept that as the standard. Please stand up publicly for facts, for working people who are falling through the cracks, and for politics rooted in the lived experiences of your constituents.