Trump Hails an Economic Turnaround Many Voters Don't See

WASHINGTON—President Trump told a national audience on Tuesday that he had unleashed a new age of economic prosperity. One thing he didn't say: I feel your pain.

At the core of Trump's State of the Union address was a calculation that he can persuade Americans that the economy is in better shape than many think it is. In touting "a turnaround for the ages," the president opted against sending a message to voters that he understands the anxiety that polling shows is widely felt, including among swing voters the GOP needs to preserve its congressional majorities in this fall's midterm elections.

"Our nation is back: bigger, better, richer and stronger than ever before," Trump declared at the start of his speech, which clocked in at a record one hour and 48 minutes.