President Donald Trump is set to address a joint session of Congress on Tuesday, marking the first time he will speak to both chambers since returning to the White House.
House Speaker Mike Johnson in January invited Trump to address Congress to “share his America First vision for our future.” Presidents typically address Congress early in their terms to set out their agenda for their administrations.
In his letter, Johnson wrote: “America’s Golden Age has begun. Thanks to your strong leadership and bold action in the first days of your presidency, the United States is already experiencing a resurgence of patriotism, unity, and hope for the future.
“Your administration and the 119th Congress working together have the chance to make these next four years some of the most consequential in our nation’s history. To that end, it is my distinct honor and great privilege to invite you to address a Joint Session of Congress.”
The speech is not technically a State of the Union address, as these are intended to look back on the prior year. As Trump’s inauguration took place on January 20, he has only been in office for six weeks.
What Time Will Trump’s Speech Start?
Trump’s speech is scheduled to begin at 9 p.m. ET on Tuesday.
His first joint address to Congress in 2017 lasted more than an hour. His subsequent State of the Union speeches averaged 80 minutes, according to the American Presidency Project.
Trump will deliver his address in the U.S. House chamber, which is larger than the Senate and can accommodate both House and Senate lawmakers.
How To Watch Trump’s Speech
Trump’s address will be shown on the broadcast and streaming platforms of a number of networks, including CBS, ABC, MSNBC, and Fox News.
You can also watch a livestream of the address on the Associated Press’ YouTube channel.
Who Will Be in Attendance?
Alongside members of the U.S. House and Senate, the majority of Trump’s cabinet and members of the Supreme Court are exected to be in attendance.
However, one cabinet member will be missing. The individual, known as the “designated survivor,” will be left out to ensure that someone would be able to assume the president’s duties in case of a mass-casualty event.
House Speaker Johnson and Vice President JD Vance will be seated behind Trump, while First Lady Melania Trump is also expected to attend.
Meanwhile, the president is also expected to invite guests to watch the proceedings from the balcony above the House floor. These are typically people with personal connections to the president, or those associated with a specific issue that the president will raise in his speech.
In 2017, Trump invited the widow of late Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia, as well as the widows of two California police officers killed by a man living in the country illegally.
Who Will Deliver the Democratic Response?
Following Trump’s address, the opposing party—the Democrats—will deliver a message in response.
This year, Michigan Senator Elissa Slotkin will deliver the address. Democratic leaders have said that Slotkin’s message will likely focus on economic issues.
The freshman, with a national security background before entering politics, will deliver the rebuttal two months into her tenure, having narrowly defeated Republican Mike Rogers to win an open battleground seat—despite Trump carrying the state. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer called Slotkin “a rising star” when announcing her selection.
The party has also chosen Representative Adriano Espaillat, chair of the Hispanic Caucus, to give a Spanish-language response. It comes after Trump signed an executive order on Saturday designating English as the official language of the U.S..
What Is Trump’s Address Expected to Include?
Trump’s address will focus on the theme “The Renewal of the American Dream,” Fox News Digital reported on Monday.
White House officials told the network that the speech will highlight four key areas: Trump’s accomplishments so far, both domestically and internationally; his administration’s economic initiatives; his renewed call for Congress to approve additional border security funding; and his vision for promoting global peace.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said: “In his Joint Address to Congress, President Trump will celebrate his extraordinarily successful first month in office while outlining his bold, ambitious and common-sense vision for the future.”
The White House said that Trump would discuss his “accomplishments” at home and abroad. He is also expected to discuss plans to “fix the economic mess created by the Biden administration and end inflation for all Americans.”
Trump will also discuss investments made in U.S. manufacturing since his return to the White House and AI investments, Fox News Digital reported.
He will also lay out plans to end the Russia-Ukraine war, a topic on which he is facing criticism after pausing military aid to Kyiv.
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