Welcome! Here’s a quick look at the independent topics I’m tackling today:

• State of the Union 
• Montana Campaign News
• Knudsen & TikTok
• In Case You Missed It
• One More Thing

STATE OF THE UNION:

After watching President Donald Trump’s State of the Union speech, my thoughts are that the State of the Union is deeply divided and full of hatred. Trump spoke for 1 hour and 47 minutes, breaking his own record by seven minutes. (Source)

The standing and applauding or not standing and getting called out by the President got a little old. One member that I know of, U.S. Representative Al Green, was tossed out when he held up a sign that read, “Black People Aren’t Apes!” (Source)

I liked the parts where he recognized the USA Men’s Hockey team and awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor (CMOH) to two individuals. 

After the CMOH was awarded, Trump then ruined the moment by saying, “I’ve always wanted it, but I’m not allowed to give it to myself… if they ever change the law, I’ll be there.” (Source) He wants a CMOH like he wants a Nobel Peace Prize. 

There were other acknowledgments throughout the speech. There were too many of them. 

Trump decided to attack the Democrats. I thought it was rude to say “The Somali pirates who ransack Minnesota remind us that there are large parts of the world where bribery, corruption and lawlessness are the norm, not the exception. Importing these cultures through unrestricted immigration and open borders brings those problems right here to the USA,” Trump said.

The problem Trump may have when he gives his next SOTU speech is that he will probably be addressing a Congress where Democrats control the House and maybe the Senate. He will need to work with them to get things done, and Trump’s actions tonight hurt that.  

Trump also challenged the chamber to stand if they agreed with what he called a “fundamental principle”: “The first duty of the American government is to protect American citizens, not illegal aliens.” While Republicans gave a lengthy standing ovation, most Democrats remained seated. Trump then looked at the Democrats and said, “You should be ashamed of yourself for not standing up.” 

It is childish, as a member of Congress, to skip the SOTU because the President is from a different party. Members of Congress are supposed to be there. 

Elected officials in Montana (All MAGAs/Millionaires) loved the speech. 

Governor Greg Gianforte posted on social media: 

In one year, President Donald J. Trump has secured our borders, strengthened our communities, and brought the American dream into greater reach. Thanks to @POTUS’s leadership, the state of our union is strong. 

Congressman Troy Downing posted on social media:

President Trump has accomplished more in one year than the previous administration could in four. I’m proud to have worked alongside him with my Republican colleagues to deliver historic tax relief for families, workers, and businesses, secure our border, beat back inflation, and make everyday life more affordable for central and eastern Montanans. Here’s to three more years of the Golden Age.

You can read Congressman Ryan Zinke’s remarks HERE. 

You can watch U.S. Senator Steve Daines’ remarks HERE. 

You can read reports about the SOTU by clicking on the following list of reports: AP, Reuters, WaPo, NYT.

2026 MONTANA CAMPAIGN NEWS:

A total of 237 candidates have filed for office in Montana as of Tuesday evening, per the Secretary of State’s online registry.

Candidate filing in Montana ends on March 4, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. The Primary election in Montana is Tuesday, June 2, 2026. 

You can keep track of who files for state and federal office by clicking HERE.

KNUDSEN & TIKTOK:

Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen issued a statement after the lawsuit challenging Montana’s TikTok ban was jointly dismissed in U.S. District Court for the District of Montana today:

Knudsen begins his statement with: “The Chinese Communist Party used TikTok to spy on Montanans.”

Prove it. 

The New York Times reported that concerns over TikTok in Montana focused on potential Chinese government access to personal data, a fear heightened by a 2023 spy balloon incident. While officials aimed to ban the app to prevent espionage, a federal judge later halted the move, citing a lack of concrete evidence for the spying claims. (Source)

This ban on TikTok in Montana was a nothingburger. 

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT:

The Independent is reporting that a North Carolina man who was fatally shot early Sunday as he allegedly attempted to enter President Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida was an avid supporter of the president, but was “fixated” on the Epstein files, those who knew him say.

Incredibly, this story is not getting much coverage. 

Check out the complete article HERE. 

ONE MORE THING:

I put some Bailey’s in my coffee because it’s Ireland somewhere. 

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