What is Trump likely to talk about?
In 2025, when Trump made a joint address to Congress, he spoke at length about his efforts to cut the size of the federal workforce, change US foreign policy and implement a risky trade agenda which included massive tariffs. In the speech lasting an hour and 40 minutes – the longest in US history – he also pointed to executive orders and actions implemented in the first weeks of his second term.
This year, despite facing opinion polls showing growing disapproval on a range of issues, it’s likely Trump will continue to insist he is making America great again. Expect the president to address issues of tariffs, which were struck down by the supreme court last week and then implemented again this weekend, alongside a range of other issues including immigration and foreign policy.
This year’s address could also run long. According to the official White House schedule, he’s not expected to return to the White House until 11.30pm.
“I’m making a speech tomorrow night, and you’ll be hearing me say that,” Trump said Monday during an event at the White House. “I mean, it’s going to be a long speech because we have so much to talk about.”
What will Democrats do?
A group of at least 12 Democrats will boycott the speech and instead hold an outdoor rally on the National Mall. That group includes Chris Van Hollen, who said in a social media post: “Trump is marching America towards fascism, and I refuse to normalize his shredding of our Constitution & democracy. This cannot be business as usual.”
Another event, State of the Swamp, is planned for Wednesday night and is set to feature a number of prominent Democrats and celebrities. Robert De Niro and Mark Ruffalo, both of whom have been critical of Trump, are set to attend the event put on by Indivisible and other groups.
Following the address, it’s traditional for someone from the opposing party to deliver a response. This year, newly newly elected Virginia governor Abigail Spanberger, will give the rebuttal.
In a statement, the House minority leader, Hakeem Jeffries, and his counterpart, the Senate minority leader, Chuck Schumer, hailed Spanberger as a public servant with a record of holding Trump accountable – and winning races in competitive territory.
“She stands in stark contrast to Donald Trump, who will lie, deflect and blame everyone but himself for his failed presidency on Tuesday evening,” Jeffries said. “As our nation marks its 250th anniversary this summer, Governor Spanberger embodies the best of America as a mother, community leader and dedicated public servant.
Spanberger said she planned to use her rebuttal to address Americans’ concerns with “rising costs, chaos in their communities, and a real fear of what each day might bring”.
Alex Padilla, a Democrat from California and vocal critic of the Trump administration’s immigration policies, will give a rebuttal in Spanish. Padilla was restrained and removed after attempting to ask a question at a press conference held by Kristi Noem in June of last year.
Padilla told the New York Times his remarks will focus on immigration, the economy and fair elections.
Read more about Abigail Spanberger
Last year, Democrats chose the Michigan senator Elissa Slotkin, a centrist figure with an intelligence background, to deliver the rebuttal.
