On 24 February 2026, President Donald Trump is set to address a joint session of Congress in what will be his first State of the Union address since returning to office in January 2025. The event will take place at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C. and is expected to draw significant attention both domestically and internationally.
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The 2026 State of the Union address is notable not only for its timing but also for the guest list. Among those expected to attend are the family of the late Virginia Giuffre, a prominent figure in recent news, as well as the gold medal-winning U.S. men’s hockey team, who triumphed at the recent Milan Cortina Winter Olympic Games. Interestingly, the U.S. women’s hockey team, despite winning gold as well, will not be attending the event.
The address will get underway at 9 p.m. ET, taking place in the historic Chamber of the House of Representatives. Attendees and viewers alike will anticipate insights from Trump on a range of critical issues facing the nation. With a theme of “America at 250: Strong, Prosperous, and Respected,” the President is expected to address subjects including inflation, immigration policy, and foreign affairs.
Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt hinted that the President would strongly urge Democrats to help resolve the ongoing partial government shutdown and advocate for the reopening of the Department of Homeland Security. This comes amid ongoing discussions regarding immigration reforms, which include proposals aimed at halting the deportation of U.S. citizens and instituting independent oversight of Immigration and Customs Enforcement policies.
Historically, Trump’s addresses have been lengthy. In his previous terms, he averaged over one hour in his annual speeches to Congress—the longest among recent U.S. Presidents since the 1960s. He set a remarkable precedent earlier this March when he delivered a speech that lasted an unprecedented 1 hour and 39 minutes, establishing a record for modern State of the Union addresses.
Given the extent of topics Trump intends to cover, he has indicated that the 2026 address will also be on the longer side, with plans to delve deeply into many issues that he perceives as significant to the American public. The anticipation surrounding his statements is compounded by the current political climate and ongoing governmental challenges.
For those interested in viewing the State of the Union address, it will be broadcast live across various major networks, including NBC, CBS, ABC, and Fox, among others. Additionally, news outlets like the Associated Press and The New York Times will stream the address on their websites and YouTube channels, allowing for extensive outreach and viewership.
The event is poised to become a focal point for political discourse in the following days as citizens and analysts dissect Trump’s proposals and rhetoric. Given the critical issues at hand, this year’s address is likely to influence public opinion and set the tone for the ongoing legislative agenda.
Overall, the 2026 State of the Union address promises to be a significant moment in the current political landscape of the United States. As preparations ramp up, all eyes will be on the Capitol as President Trump seeks to lay out his vision for the nation over the coming year.