A Choice Between Rally Politics and National Unity
Veteran speechwriters who served presidents from Ronald Reagan to Joe Biden say President Donald Trump faces a key decision in his upcoming State of the Union address.
He can stick with the combative campaign style that energizes his base. Or he can widen his message and try to bring a divided country together around his governing plans.
Recent polling from Fox News shows that many Americans believe the country is worse off than it was a year ago. That reality raises the stakes for Tuesday night’s speech. Trump must convince doubtful voters that his economic policies are lowering costs, that stricter immigration enforcement improves safety, and that he has a steady plan heading into the 2026 midterms.
Lessons From Past Presidents
Clark Judge, who wrote speeches for Reagan and now leads the Pacific Research Institute, said clarity defined Reagan’s success. According to Judge, Americans always knew where Reagan stood. That consistency built trust.
Judge believes Trump should think carefully about three things: where the public stands, what Democrats are arguing, and how to counter those points clearly.
James Fallows, who served as chief speechwriter for Jimmy Carter, said every State of the Union must strike a balance. On one hand, Cabinet officials want their priorities mentioned. On the other, the speech needs a strong theme that ties everything together.
Fallows argued that Trump’s rally style, which often divides politics into us versus them, may not fit the tone of a State of the Union. That address, he said, calls for unity rather than confrontation.
Can Trump Shift His Tone?
Dan Cluchey, who wrote for Biden, expressed doubt that Trump will significantly change his approach. He described Biden’s speeches as efforts to rise above partisan fights and focus on shared national goals, such as the Unity Agenda Biden promoted in 2022.
Meanwhile, Bill McGurn, a former speechwriter for George W. Bush, noted that every president brings a different style. Bush preferred clear logic and simple explanations that everyday Americans could follow. McGurn suggested that even a long list of policy points can feel compelling if it connects to a single, unifying idea.
Why These Speeches Still Matter
Speechwriters admit that many State of the Union addresses fade from memory. However, moments within them can last for decades. Judge recalled crafting a line for Reagan about “a thousand sparks of genius,” which later inspired George H.W. Bush and his “Thousand Points of Light” theme.
Fallows added that presidents face structural limits. They must cover many topics in a short window while holding national attention.
Still, these speeches reach beyond Congress. Judge pointed out that world leaders, media editors, and even dissidents abroad pay close attention. During the Cold War, Reagan’s words encouraged those living under Soviet rule.
As Trump prepares to address the nation, former speechwriters agree on one point. The moment offers more than political theater. It provides a rare chance to shape public perception at home and signal direction to the world.
