Trump’s 2026 energy messaging playbook

President Donald Trump's State of the Union address served as both a victory lap and a messaging blueprint for Republicans heading into the midterm elections. POLITICO’s Zack Colman and Scott Waldman unpack what the Trump emphasized, what he left out and whether energy is shaping up to be a defining issue for voters this November.

Scott Waldman is the White House reporter for POLITICO.

Zack Colman covers climate change for POLITICO. 

Stefan Todorovic is the video producer of POLITICO Energy.

Nirmal Mulaikal is the co-host and executive producer of POLITICO Energy. 

Matt Daily is the energy editor for POLITICO.

Cyril Zaneski is executive editor of POLITICO’s E&E News.

Debra Kahn is the editorial director for energy and environmental coverage at POLITICO.

Our theme music is by Pran Bandi.

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