Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger delivered the Democratic response to President Donald Trump’s State of the Union address Tuesday night, offering a starkly different assessment of the country’s direction and accusing the president of driving up costs while deepening national divisions.

Speaking from Williamsburg, Spanberger centered her rebuttal on affordability — the same message that powered her 2025 gubernatorial victory in Virginia, where she flipped the office from Republican to Democratic control. Democratic leaders have pointed to her double-digit win as a potential model for upcoming midterm elections, hoping her focus on kitchen-table issues can help the party regain control of Congress during the final stretch of Trump’s term.

Spanberger argued that families across the country are grappling with rising prices and economic uncertainty, and she blamed Trump’s policies for making those pressures worse. She said Democrats are focused on lowering costs and addressing the everyday concerns that keep Americans up at night.

A major point of contention was Trump’s aggressive use of tariffs since returning to office. Spanberger described the levies as a tax on American families, warning that additional tariffs would further increase prices. She criticized congressional Republicans for failing to intervene, saying they have the constitutional authority to check the president but have chosen not to act.

Trump, in his address, defended the tariffs as a tool to strengthen American manufacturing and negotiate better trade deals. He argued that the policy is revitalizing the economy and bringing new investment into the country. While some economists had initially warned of widespread inflation or economic decline, the impact has been more mixed. Studies, including research from the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, suggest that American businesses and consumers have absorbed much of the added cost.

The tariff debate has exposed divisions within the GOP as well. A handful of Republican lawmakers have joined Democrats in voting to curb certain tariffs, though Trump has continued to pursue new trade actions through alternative legal authorities, even after a recent Supreme Court ruling limited one of his primary tools.

Beyond economic policy, Spanberger accused Trump of fostering discord and attempting to divide Americans for political gain. She also criticized his immigration enforcement efforts, describing them as chaotic and harmful.

Tensions between the parties were visible throughout the evening. Some Democratic lawmakers staged protests or skipped the address entirely, opting instead to attend a “People’s State of the Union” event near the National Mall. Others, including House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, attended but urged colleagues to avoid disruptions.

Spanberger’s rebuttal underscored the sharp contrast Democrats aim to draw heading into the next election cycle: a focus on affordability and stability versus what they characterize as Trump’s combative style and expansive executive actions.

As the 2026 midterms approach, her message signals how Democrats intend to frame the debate — not just as a clash of ideologies, but as a referendum on the cost of living and the tone of national leadership.