Trump Faces Low Economy Ratings Ahead of State‑of‑the‑Union

The upcoming State‑of‑the‑Union will see President Trump stepping onto a stage where many voters doubt his economic leadership. In his first term, he held steady or high approval on the economy, but since returning to office, those numbers have slipped. Many Americans blame rising costs and feel the economy is not improving, giving Democrats a boost as they head toward the 2026 midterms. Trump has called the poll results “fake” and pointed to a strong stock market, but his speech will reveal whether he sticks with the current narrative or shifts direction. Meanwhile, Ukraine’s war with Russia has entered its fifth year. President Zelenskyy is increasingly frustrated because negotiations with Moscow have stalled, even though the conflict still claims hundreds of thousands of lives and holds 20% of Ukraine’s land. Analysts say Zelenskyy is under pressure from both Washington and Moscow, with calls to give up territory. Yet the Ukrainian leader remains determined to continue fighting, believing that any concession would betray public sentiment at home.On the domestic front, White House adviser Stephen Miller has expanded his duties far beyond immigration. While he is known for hard‑line deportation policies, Miller now works on campus initiatives to counter what he calls “woke” culture and also handles odd tasks like fixing fountains in Washington. His broad reach helps keep him close to President Trump, who values his ability to push promises through the administration. Other political drama includes FedEx suing the Trump team over tariff disputes after a Supreme Court ruling, and new allegations against Texas Rep. Tony Gonzales for inappropriate messages to a staffer. Meanwhile, the European Parliament halted a trade deal with the U. S. following the court’s decision, and a lawsuit against six lawmakers who advised military members to disobey orders has been dropped. In the world of sports, the U. S. women’s hockey team declined a State‑of‑the‑Union invitation, and actor Robert Carradine has passed away at 71. A quirky side note: the grandson of Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups inventor has voiced strong criticism over changes to the candy, highlighting how personal legacy can intersect with corporate decisions.