Overview
- The president will address a joint session at 9 p.m. ET, with major networks carrying the speech live and CNN beginning special coverage at 8 p.m.
- The Supreme Court last week invalidated his unilateral tariff program in a 6–3 decision, forcing a rethink of a signature economic lever he has pledged to defend.
- Several Democrats plan to boycott the address and attend an alternative "People’s State of the Union" rally on the National Mall organized by progressive groups.
- Advisers indicate Trump will argue the economy is strong, emphasize affordability measures and immigration enforcement, press for voter ID and more defense funding, and reaffirm his trade stance as Republicans seek to shape a midterm message.
- The speech comes as the White House faces a partial DHS funding lapse, outrage over a fatal immigration raid in Minneapolis, and heightened scrutiny linked to the release of Epstein-related files.