President Donald Trump is set to deliver his first State of the Union address of his second term on Tuesday, February 24, 2026, at 9 p.m. ET, taking the podium in the House Chamber at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C. The annual event, which traditionally allows the president to outline the state of the nation and lay out legislative priorities, arrives at a time of deep political division, a partial government shutdown, and significant questions about the administration's direction on both domestic and foreign policy.
This year’s address comes during an indefinite shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), a direct result of a standoff between Democrats and the White House over immigration enforcement. The spark for the impasse was the fatal shootings of two Minneapolis residents by federal agents last month, which led Democrats to demand new restrictions on Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP). As a result, agencies such as the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) have also been impacted by the funding lapse, according to TIME.
Amid this tense backdrop, Trump’s approval ratings remain low, and the country’s mood is anything but unified. According to a January 2026 survey by the Pew Research Center, only 28% of Americans rate the national economy as excellent or good, while a striking 72% describe conditions as only fair or poor. This pessimism is deeply partisan: 49% of Republicans and Republican-leaning independents say the economy is doing well, compared to just 10% of Democrats who share that view. When asked about the impact of Trump’s policies, 57% of Republicans say they’ve improved the economy, while 85% of Democrats say they’ve made it worse.
Trump’s economic policies, especially his use of tariffs, have been a focal point of both support and controversy. On February 20, 2026, the Supreme Court struck down the president’s sweeping emergency tariffs, citing presidential overreach. Rather than accept the ruling, Trump pivoted to propose a new 15% global tariff, a move that has left Republican candidates facing a political dilemma ahead of the midterm elections. According to the New York Times, “Trump’s tariffs have been deeply unpopular, one of his worst-polling issues.”
Public opinion on tariffs is sharply divided along party lines. Pew’s January survey found that 60% of Americans disapproved of tariff increases, with 93% of Democrats opposed and 71% of Republicans in favor. The Supreme Court’s decision, and Trump’s subsequent push for a new tariff policy, are expected to feature prominently in Tuesday’s speech—and in the body language of Supreme Court justices, who will be seated just feet from the president.
Economic anxieties extend beyond tariffs. Seventy-one percent of Americans say they are very concerned about the cost of health care, while 66% worry about prices for food and consumer goods, and 62% are troubled by housing costs. These concerns cut across partisan lines, though Democrats express greater worry than Republicans. On health care, the nation is split: two-thirds believe the federal government should ensure everyone has coverage, but opinions differ on whether this should be achieved through a single national program or a mix of private and public options.
Immigration is another flashpoint. The shutdown of DHS underscores the ongoing battle over enforcement and policy. A Pew survey found that 72% of Americans believe it is unacceptable for federal immigration officers to use a person’s appearance or language as grounds for checking immigration status, and 61% object to officers wearing face coverings that hide their identities. While the public is more divided on the increased presence of officers in immigrant neighborhoods and the arrest of U.S. citizens who assist undocumented migrants, there is broad support for civilian oversight: 74% say it’s acceptable to record video of immigration officers, and 59% approve of sharing information about enforcement actions.
Despite these divisions, a majority of Americans—62%—favor a strong military presence at the U.S.-Mexico border. Notably, since Trump’s return to office, U.S. Border Patrol encounters with migrants have fallen to their lowest level in more than 50 years, with just 237,538 encounters recorded in fiscal year 2025. Yet, not all of Trump’s border policies are popular: about two-thirds of Americans (66%) oppose suspending all applications for asylum, a key White House proposal.
Energy and environmental policy are also likely to figure in the president’s address. Americans remain broadly supportive of expanding solar (77%) and wind (68%) power, though enthusiasm has waned somewhat since Trump’s first term, especially among Republicans. Support for nuclear power, by contrast, has grown to 59%, reflecting a rare area of bipartisan agreement. Since the start of Trump’s second term, the Environmental Protection Agency has rolled back several regulations, including the repeal of the 2009 greenhouse gas “endangerment finding.” Just over half of Americans (54%) believe it’s possible to cut environmental regulations while still protecting air and water quality, while 45% disagree.
Foreign policy looms large as well. Trump has hinted at the possibility of limited strikes against Iran ahead of negotiations in Geneva scheduled for Thursday, February 26, 2026. The White House has also touted its “peace through strength” approach, claiming America is “respected again on the world stage.” Yet, the country remains divided on international involvement. In the aftermath of the U.S. military operation that ousted Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, 45% of Americans said the U.S. should not be involved much or at all in Venezuela’s governance, while only 21% favored a significant U.S. role.
The State of the Union address itself is shaping up to be a political spectacle. Many Democrats have pledged to boycott the speech or stage demonstrations in protest. At least 12 Democratic lawmakers will attend a counterprogramming rally dubbed the “People’s State of the Union” on the National Mall, livestreaming the event to highlight the voices of those affected by Trump’s policies. Another event, “State of the Swamp: The Rebuttal of the State of the Union,” will take place at the National Press Club, featuring remarks from Democratic lawmakers and prominent figures in media and entertainment.
Following Trump’s remarks, Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger will deliver the official Democratic rebuttal, with major networks offering live coverage. Sen. Alex Padilla of California will provide the Spanish-language response, while Rep. Summer Lee of Pennsylvania will deliver a response on behalf of the progressive Working Families Party. Each of these responses is expected to offer a sharp contrast to Trump’s message, reflecting the deep partisan divides that continue to shape American politics.
As the nation tunes in, the State of the Union promises not just a summary of the past year, but a glimpse into the battles and debates that will define the months ahead. Whether Trump’s message resonates with a weary and divided public—or simply hardens existing lines—remains to be seen.