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Last year, President Trump delivered an unofficial State of the Union address to a chaotic and divided audience. Today, in a seemingly equally divided Congress, he will deliver the first official State of the Union of his second term, aiming to unify Americans and reassure hesitant voters.
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According to the Associated Press, many have grown skeptical of the President over the past year, with recent polls showing distrust in his leadership. And with critical midterms coming up in just a few months, President Trump is likely eager to reassure Americans that he and his administration are still capable of making America great again.
Here’s what you need to know about tonight’s address.
What Will Trump Say?
While the President’s agenda isn’t clear, experts expect a focus on domestic issues. Immigration and the economy were the pillars of the President’s bid for reelection, and they have remained relevant throughout his first year back in office. However, according to the latest Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research survey, less than 40% of adults in the country support the President on these issues. With recent ICE controversies fresh in voters’ minds, President Trump will likely use this speech to highlight the wins his administration achieved in these areas in 2025.
At the very least, President Trump has confirmed he will address the economy. Speaking at the White House last week, he said, “Watch the State of the Union. We’re going to be talking about the economy. We inherited a mess.”
One particularly notable area of President Trump’s first year in office was faith. The President mentioned faith constantly throughout 2025, achieving several wins for religious liberty and believers both at home and around the world. Let’s pray he mentions these wins in his speech and remembers to give God the glory.
How Will Democrats React?
Last year’s unofficial State of the Union was interrupted by multiple Democrat-led protests. Some held signs, some wore different colors, some walked out mid-speech, and one leftist lawmakers shouted at and heckled the President, resulting in his removal from the House floor. This year, however, Democrats are taking a different approach.
According to The Hill, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries is encouraging Democrats in Congress to protest the President discreetly. Speaking to reporters on Wednesday, he called on lawmakers to “either attend with silent defiance or to not attend and send a message to Donald Trump in that fashion, which will include participation in a variety of different alternate programming that is going to take place in and around the Capitol complex.”
Many Democrats have already vowed not to attend the State of the Union, and some have already promised to attend the “alternate programming” the Minority Leader mentioned. The Hill mentions two events, the “People’s State of the Union” and “The State of the Swamp,” that will take place at the same time as the State of the Union. At least ten congressional Democrats have indicated they will attend one of these events and skip the President’s speech.
Who Will Be Present?
According to CNN, President Trump will appear in the heart of the House chamber, surrounded by Vice President JD Vance, Speaker Mike Johnson, House Parliamentarian Jason Smith, and House Clerk Kevin McCumber. CNN also adds that “Cabinet members, Supreme Court justices, Joint Chiefs of Staff, former members of Congress and members of the diplomatic corps will be seated” directly in front of the President. Sitting lawmakers, however, are seated on a first-come, first-served basis.
A number of invited guests are slated to attend the speech as well, including independent journalist Nick Shirley, law enforcement officers, and the Americans who won the gold medal in ice hockey at this year’s Winter Olympics.
Where to Watch the State of the Union?
The President’s address is scheduled to begin tonight at 9 PM ET. You can watch it on your local news channel, or in the embedded YouTube player below:
President Trump is addressing the nation at a difficult and tumultuous time. Let’s pray that God gives him the words to speak, and let’s pray that his speech would unify Americans and bring hope.
Will you be watching the State of the Union? Share your prayers and scriptures below.
(Photo Credit: Official White House Photo by Daniel Torok)
