WASHINGTON\u2014President Donald Trump opened his 2026 State of the Union address Tuesday night with a live demonstration of enhanced interrogation techniques, directing a U.S. Marine to waterboard a CNN reporter on a foldout table positioned directly in front of the presidential podium.<\/p>\n
The reporter, who was not immediately identified, was strapped down as the Marine methodically poured water over a cloth covering his face. Trump, standing in front of Vice President JD Vance and House Speaker Mike Johnson, paused his remarks to laugh wildly as he narrated the proceedings.<\/p>\n
“Folks, this is what happens when you spread fake news,” Trump said, gesturing toward the sputtering journalist. “Nobody has ever opened an address to Congress like this before. Very strong, very beautiful ratings. The State of our Union is strong, but quite frankly, our Nielsen numbers tonight are going to be absolutely through the roof.”<\/p>\n
The waterboarding opening was met with rapturous applause from the Republican side of the aisle, with dozens of lawmakers leaping to their feet, cheering, and snapping photos on their smartphones to post on their social media accounts.<\/p>\n