Trump’s record-length speech doesn’t mention Alaska; delegation highlights guests of honor in responses

Sullivan touts shared ’comeback’ theme; Murkowski says ‘best part of the SOTU was seeing so many American heroes honored’

President Donald Trump greets members of Congress and other attendees of his State of the Union after his speech on Tuesday, Feb. 24, 2026. (Screenshot from official video by The White House)

By Mark Sabbatini

Juneau Independent

Alaska leaders who support President Donald Trump have frequently noted the state is the only one he bestowed an executive order upon when returning to office 13 months ago. But of the 10,616 words he spoke during a record-length 108-minute State of the Union speech on Tuesday night, "Alaska" was not among them.

He said the word "oil" twice, according to a published transcript of the speech, one of them referencing what the U.S. is now receiving from Venezuela after he ousted that country’s president in a military strike.

"American oil production is up by more than 600,000 barrels a day, and we just received from our new friend and partner Venezuela more than 80 million barrels of oil," he said. "American natural gas production is at an all-time high because I kept my promise to drill, baby, drill."

A fact check of that statement by The Times of India found it to be essentially true.

National coverage of the 2026 State of the Union

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Trump’s impact on Alaska — which, as with most of his actions, have prompted intense support and opposition — includes his day-one executive order "Unleashing Alaska's Extraordinary Resource Potential" that calls for repealing regulations that inhibit maximum use of the state’s natural resources. That set the tone for other actions that on Tuesday included the State of Alaska and the U.S. Forest Service signing a "shared stewardship" agreement to boost timber production.

Alaska’s two Republican U.S. senators, who at times have differed strongly about their support for various Trump policies, were among the innumerable congressional members and other attendees of the speech that issued brief social media statements afterwards.

"The focus of President Trump's inspiring State of the Union tonight was on the American Revival, the American Comeback, which dovetails with what I’ve been talking a lot about — the Alaska Comeback!," Sen. Dan Sullivan, a consistent supporter of Trump, wrote in a Facebook post.

Sullivan also shared a two-minute video in the post that offered more insight, much of it focusing on individuals Trump honored during the speech including several military veterans and the gold-medal U.S. men's Olympic ice hockey team.

Sen. Lisa Murkowski, one of the few Republicans openly critical of Trump since his return to office, mirrored Sullivan’s comments about the guests recognized during Trump’s speech.

"Best part of the SOTU was seeing so many American heroes honored," she wrote.

U.S. Rep. Nick Begich III, a strong Trump supporter, didn’t immediately issue a statement after the address. In a column published by The Alaska Story on Tuesday before the speech, Begich cited achievements that have occurred under Trump’s executive order for the state and other actions by the administration such as a budget bill passed last year that included various tax cuts.

Beich also singled out an individual for recognition, noting his invited guest was Norann Kriner, owner of Kriner’s Diner in Anchorage.

"Norann built her small business alongside her husband of 45 years," Begich wrote. "After his unexpected passing in December 2024, she made the decision to carry on their life’s work and continue serving her community with generosity. For more than a decade, Kriner’s Diner has offered free Thanksgiving meals to Anchorage families."

Murkowski’s guest at the speech was Sandy Snodgrass, an Alaskan whose son, Bruce, died of an accidental fentanyl overdose in 2021, prompting her to start an organization to promote awareness about substance abuse disorders. She was present in Washington, D.C., last December when Trump signed the SUPPORT for Patients and Communications Reauthorization Act — which included "Bruce’s Law," named for her son.

Sullivan’s guest at the speech was Matt Alward, the president of United Fishermen of Alaska.

• Contact Mark Sabbatini at editor@juneauindependent.com or (907) 957-2306.