Donald Trump's Pivotal State of the Union Address Sets Stage for 2026 Midterms
In a highly anticipated event, former President Donald Trump was scheduled to deliver the State of the Union address in Washington, marking his second major speech to Congress during this term and the final one before the crucial 2026 midterm elections. This address held particular significance as it represented the first instance where Trump would face the Supreme Court justices directly, following their recent ruling that declared his tariffs illegal. The State of the Union tradition typically allows the president to outline an agenda and key policy objectives, and while not officially a campaign event, Trump was expected to leverage this platform to highlight his administration's accomplishments and rally support.
Timing and Broadcast Details for Trump's Speech
Trump's address to Congress was set to commence at 9 PM Eastern Time on Tuesday in Washington. Major news networks were prepared to broadcast the speech live, with extensive coverage throughout the day. Specifically, CBS planned to stream the event live on its YouTube page, and PBS was also scheduled to provide a live broadcast. Additionally, The Guardian intended to host a live feed of the address, accompanied by a team of reporters dedicated to covering and fact-checking Trump's remarks in real-time.
Reflecting on Last Year's Address and Current Expectations
In 2025, during his joint address to Congress, Trump extensively discussed his efforts to reduce the federal workforce, alter US foreign policy, and implement a controversial trade agenda that included imposing massive tariffs. That speech, lasting an hour and 40 minutes, set a record as the longest in US history, as reported by The Guardian. This year, despite facing opinion polls indicating growing disapproval on various issues, Trump was likely to persist in his message of "making America great again." He was anticipated to address tariffs, which were recently struck down by the Supreme Court but reinstated over the weekend, alongside other critical topics such as immigration and foreign policy. The address was expected to be lengthy, with the official White House schedule indicating Trump would not return until 11:30 PM.
In a preview of his speech, Trump stated on Monday during a White House event, "I'm making a speech tomorrow night, and you'll be hearing me say that. I mean, it's going to be a long speech because we have so much to talk about."
Democratic Responses and Boycott Plans
A group of at least 12 Democrats announced plans to boycott Trump's speech, opting instead to hold an outdoor rally on the National Mall. Among them, Chris Van Hollen expressed 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." Concurrently, another event titled "State of the Swamp" was scheduled for Tuesday night, featuring prominent Democrats and celebrities such as Robert De Niro and Mark Ruffalo, both known for their criticism of Trump, organized by Indivisible and other groups.
Democratic Rebuttals Following the Address
Traditionally, after the State of the Union, a member of the opposing party delivers a response. This year, newly elected Virginia Governor Abigail Spanberger was selected to give the rebuttal. In a joint statement, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer praised Spanberger as a public servant with a proven record of holding Trump accountable and winning in competitive districts. They stated, "She stands in stark contrast to Donald Trump, who will lie, deflect and blame everyone but himself for his failed presidency on Tuesday evening. 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 indicated that her rebuttal would focus on addressing Americans' concerns regarding "rising costs, chaos in their communities, and a real fear of what each day might bring." Additionally, Alex Padilla, a Democrat from California and a vocal critic of Trump's immigration policies, was set to deliver a rebuttal in Spanish. Padilla, who was previously restrained and removed after attempting to question Kristi Noem at a press conference last June, told The New York Times that his remarks would center on immigration, the economy, and fair elections. Last year, Democrats had chosen Michigan Senator Elissa Slotkin, a centrist figure with an intelligence background, to deliver the rebuttal.
