President Donald Trump on Tuesday night will deliver the first State of the Union of his second presidency.
Trump’s incoming speech will be an opportunity for him to highlight – and in some cases, defend – the administration’s work through 12 months. But it won’t be the first time he has spoken to both the House and Senate in his second term. Less than two months after he took office, the Republican spoke in front of a joint Congress in March 2025.
Here’s information on how to tune in to the State of the Union, including how to watch and what topics are expected to be brought up.
What is the State of the Union?
The State of the Union is an annual address given by the president that outlines the “current condition” of the country and an opportunity for the president to provide policy proposals for the upcoming legislative year, according to Congress.
It is generally delivered in January or February.
What time is the State of the Union?
Trump will address the nation from the U.S. Capitol in Washington on Tuesday, Feb. 24, at 9 p.m. ET. Mississippi residents can tune in at 8 p.m. CT.
What channel will carry the State of the Union?
A number of networks have said they plan to air the State of the Union across their broadcast and streaming platforms, including ABC, CNN, Fox News, C-SPAN, and others.
SuperTalk Mississippi Media will share live stream coverage on its website.
Where does the State of the Union happen?
The State of the Union will take place in the U.S. House chamber. Larger than the Senate chamber, it can accommodate both House and Senate lawmakers as well as other officials who are typically invited to such events.
Who else will be there?
Members of the U.S. Supreme Court and Trump’s cabinet are expected to be in attendance. All House and Senate members are invited, but at least 12 Democratic members have already vowed to boycott and attend a rally on the National Mall instead.
Other special guests are typically invited by the president to join the event from the balcony above the House floor. Sometimes, there are personal connections, and other times, the guests have an association with an issue the president intends to highlight in his remarks. House Speaker Mike Johnson confirmed to Fox News Digital Monday that two of the guests will be the mother and fiancée of slain Louisiana police officer Marc Tyler Brock.
There’s always one cabinet member missing, though. Called the “designated survivor,” that person – who by position is in the presidential line of succession – is intentionally left out of such events to ensure that someone could assume the office of the president in the case of a catastrophic or mass-casualty event.
What topics are expected to be addressed?
Trump is expected to address a wide range of issues, including tariffs, the economy, immigration enforcement, and the broader political landscape.
On trade, Trump is likely to revisit tariffs after the Supreme Court recently struck down portions of his administration’s previous import taxes. While the ruling limited aspects of his earlier approach, Trump maintains he has the authority to impose new tariffs and has floated the idea of a broad global tariff of 15%. It remains unclear how directly he will address the court’s decision during the speech.
According to the Associated Press, Trump is also expected to focus heavily on the economy. He is anticipated to highlight rising prices for essentials such as housing, groceries, and energy, while arguing that his policies are aimed at lowering costs and strengthening American manufacturing. The president is likely to point to job growth, domestic energy production, and stock market performance as evidence of economic momentum, framing his agenda as a path to financial relief for working families.
Immigration enforcement is also expected to be a central theme. Trump campaigned on expediting deportations during his return to office and has moved to accelerate enforcement efforts. However, those efforts have drawn scrutiny and come with unrest, particularly following controversial operations involving agents from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem has faced criticism from some lawmakers tied to recent enforcement actions in Minneapolis and other places.
The speech could also take on a political tone, with Trump using the national platform to try to rally Republicans ahead of the upcoming midterm elections.
What happens afterward?
After the State of the Union, the opposing party – in this case, the Democrats – will offer a message in response.
This year, Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger, who previously served three terms in the U.S. House, will give the Democrats’ response, which is also televised. Just months ago, Spanberger found a resounding win for an office previously held by a Republican and became the first female governor in the commonwealth’s history.
Spanberger is expected to discuss how the Democratic Party is working to “lower everyday costs, protect healthcare, and defend the freedoms that define who we are as a nation,” according to a statement from Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.