The State of the Union address was a chance for Donald Trump to defy the courts in public, according to a behavioral analyst.
Psychotherapist Shelly Dar believes the State of the Union speech for Trump is more about controlling the narrative and threats to his administration's power than anything else. During his speech, which broke the record for the longest State of the Union address, the president made certain claims as a way of building a narrative against his most outspoken critics.
Dar, speaking to The Mirror US, said, "A 108-minute address is not accidental. Length itself becomes dominance. It signals stamina, command, and refusal to be rushed, particularly at a moment when approval ratings and court rulings are challenging him.
"The repeated line ‘we’re winning so much’ is classic narrative override. When external indicators are mixed, repetition works to implant certainty. It is less about data and more about emotional contagion. If he sounds convinced, supporters feel steadied."
But Trump also saved some criticism for the courts, and hit out at their recent rulings on tariffs and the ongoing Jeffrey Epstein files release with veiled insults.
Dar said of that moment, “By chastising the court while standing feet away, he projects defiance and signals to voters that institutional pushback will not restrain him.
"The darker immigration language and public calling out of Democrats sharpens division. Psychologically, this consolidates his base. The hidden agenda appears clear, and it is to frame himself as strong, embattled, and victorious, and make opposition look obstructive in contrast.”
An exchange with Chief Justice Roberts and Amy Coney Barrett has also been highlighted by Dar, who believes the president managed his tone during the speech with more nuance than expected.
"His tone, less bombastic but still combative, suggests modulation rather than softening," she said. "The stoic exchange with Chief Justice Roberts and Amy Coney Barrett’s expressionless response creates a visible tension."