On Tuesday night, President Donald Trump will deliver his first address to a joint session of Congress since beginning his second term. While not officially called the State of the Union— a title reserved for annual presidential addresses in subsequent years—this speech serves as a platform for Trump to outline his priorities for the year.
In a Truth Social post, Trump described the upcoming speech as “big.” The address is scheduled for 8 p.m. CT on March 4 and will be broadcast live on major TV networks, including NBC, ABC, MSNBC, and streaming platforms like Peacock and NBC Chicago News.
House Speaker Mike Johnson formally invited Trump in January, emphasizing the opportunity for the administration and Congress to collaborate on shaping a significant legislative future.
The speech will take place in the U.S. House chamber, where members of Congress, the Supreme Court, and Trump’s Cabinet will be in attendance—except for the “designated survivor,” a Cabinet member kept away for continuity of government. Presidents often invite guests to highlight key issues, seated in the balcony with the First Lady.
In 2017, Trump’s first joint address featured the widow of Justice Antonin Scalia and families of slain officers.
Following the speech, Democrats will deliver their response, with Michigan Sen. Elissa Slotkin addressing economic issues and Rep. Adriano Espaillat providing a Spanish-language rebuttal.
This speech, unlike a traditional State of the Union, will focus on Trump’s forward-looking legislative agenda. Historically, first-year joint addresses contain an average of 42 policy proposals, according to the Congressional Research Service.
