Trump State of the Union 2026: Watch Live, Key Issues & Response

Washington — President Donald Trump will deliver the first formal State of the Union address of his second term on Tuesday night at 9 p.m. EST.

Major networks—ABC, CBS, NBC, PBS, and Fox News—will carry the address live. C-SPAN will also offer a free livestream on YouTube.

Did You Know? President Trump skipped a traditional State of the Union address in 2025, opting instead for a joint address to Congress in March.

The GOP leader’s speech comes days after the U.S. Supreme Court struck down sweeping tariffs he had imposed on most U.S. Trading partners. The 6-3 ruling determined that Trump exceeded his authority under a 1977 emergency powers law.

President Trump promptly announced replacement tariffs under separate legal authority and called the majority justices, including two he nominated during his first term, “a disgrace to our nation.”

The address also follows the release of documents related to the Justice Department’s investigation into Jeffrey Epstein and a partial government shutdown that began February 14 over Department of Homeland Security funding.

Senate Democrats blocked a spending bill following the fatal shootings of two U.S. Citizens by federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents in Minneapolis. While migrant encounters at the U.S.-Mexico border have reached a 55-year low, according to a Pew analysis, immigration enforcement tactics by the Trump administration remain controversial.

Expert Insight: The timing of this address, following both a Supreme Court defeat on trade and ongoing disputes over immigration and security funding, suggests a potentially contentious tone. The President’s response to the court’s decision and his framing of these challenges will be critical in shaping the narrative around his administration’s priorities.

President Trump has suggested the United States could strike Iran in the coming weeks if the Middle Eastern nation does not respond to American demands regarding its nuclear program. He warned Iran that “really bad things” will happen in 10 to 15 days if they do not comply.

Some Democrats plan to boycott the speech and hold an alternative event. Virginia Governor Abigail Spanberger will deliver the official Democratic response.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is President Trump’s State of the Union address?

President Trump will deliver the State of the Union address on Tuesday night at 9 p.m. EST.

Which networks will broadcast the address?

ABC, CBS, NBC, PBS, and Fox News will carry the address live. C-SPAN will also offer a free livestream on YouTube.

Who will deliver the Democratic response?

Virginia Governor Abigail Spanberger will deliver the Democratic response.

As President Trump prepares to address the nation, what impact will the recent Supreme Court ruling and ongoing political disputes have on the tone and content of his speech?

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