The Setting: 9:00 PM ET, February 24, 2026
Tonight at 9:00 PM ET, President Donald Trump will walk into the House Chamber to deliver his first formal State of the Union address of his second term. For a president who has built his political identity on disruption and “America First” unilateralism, the scene behind him will be a study in Republican consolidation: Vice President JD Vance and Speaker Mike Johnson will preside over the session.
However, the unified Republican front on the dais masks a nation—and a Congress—fractured by a tumultuous first year of Trump’s return to power. The address comes as the country approaches its 250th anniversary, a milestone Trump is expected to invoke as he frames his vision for the “Great American Comeback.”
The Economic Battle: Tariffs and the AI Tax
The centerpiece of tonight’s speech was supposed to be a victory lap for Trump’s aggressive trade agenda. Instead, it will likely be a pivot. Just days ago, the Supreme Court struck down the administration’s authority to impose sweeping universal tariffs under emergency powers.
Trump is expected to use tonight’s prime-time slot to:
- Challenge the Judiciary: Vow to find “other authorities” to bypass the Court’s ruling and maintain his protectionist trade stance.
- The “AI Surcharge”: In a move first reported by the Wall Street Journal, Trump will announce a deal (or a demand) for AI tech companies to pay higher electricity rates. The administration argues these data centers drive up costs for average households, and the “AI tax” is framed as a win for affordability.
- The Affordability Gap: Despite White House claims that the economy is booming, polls show voters remain deeply skeptical about the “Trump Economy,” citing high costs of living that the administration has struggled to cool.
Foreign Policy: A Muscle-Bound Peace?
The most ominous shadow over tonight’s address is the escalating tension with Iran. Trump has massed warships and fighter jets in the Middle East, warning that “bad things will happen” if Tehran does not capitulate on its nuclear program. While Trump campaigned as a “peacemaker” who would end “forever wars,” his rhetoric tonight is expected to be its most hawkish yet, potentially laying the groundwork for military strikes.
On the Ukraine front, tonight marks the four-year anniversary of Russia’s invasion. Trump, who famously claimed he could end the war in 24 hours, has yet to deliver a peace deal. He is expected to reiterate his pressure on President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to “make a deal” while signaling a June deadline for a ceasefire.
The Domestic Flashpoints: Immigration and Protests
Expect the galleries to be as much of a story as the speech itself.
- The “Wall of White”: House Democratic women plan to wear “suffragette white” to protest the administration’s policies, specifically focusing on reproductive rights and the treatment of Jeffrey Epstein survivors, calling for the release of unredacted case files.
- Immigration Crackdown: Following a controversial enforcement surge that saw two U.S. citizens killed in Minneapolis last month, Democrats have invited guests—including a disabled citizen pulled from her car by ICE—to serve as “living rebukes” to the administration’s tactics.
- The Boycott: A significant number of Democratic lawmakers have announced they will boycott the speech entirely, citing what they call the “unlawful actions” of the executive branch.
The Rebuttals
Immediately following the President’s remarks, Virginia Governor Abigail Spanberger will deliver the Democratic response. Choosing Spanberger—Virginia’s first female governor—is a strategic move by Democrats to present a moderate, “affordability-focused” alternative to Trump’s populism. Additionally, Senator Alex Padilla will deliver a response in Spanish, highlighting the party’s focus on the Latino electorate ahead of the 2026 midterms.
How to Watch
- Time: 9:00 PM ET / 6:00 PM PT
- Networks: All major broadcast (ABC, CBS, NBC) and cable news networks (CNN, FOX News, MSNBC).
- Stream: The White House YouTube channel, PBS NewsHour, and NPR.org.
Sources and Links
- CBS News: Trump’s 2026 State of the Union: What to Know
- PBS NewsHour: Live Updates: Trump’s 2026 State of the Union Address
- Council on Foreign Relations (CFR): Foreign Policy Issue Guide for SOTU 2026
- USAFacts: 2026 State of the Union in Numbers
- The Guardian: Trump to Deliver Address in Deeply Polarized Country
- Speaker Mike Johnson’s Office: Official Invitation to President Trump
- Pew Research Center: Public Opinion Ahead of SOTU 2026
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