President Donald Trump is set to address Congress on Tuesday night, March 4, 2025, with his first major speech as he lays out his vision for the next four years. Although it’s not officially termed the State of the Union address, Trump's address to the joint session of Congress signals his legislative priorities and policy agenda following his swearing-in for his second term just weeks ago.
Scheduled to begin at 9 p.m. ET, Trump’s address will focus on the theme of "the renewal of the American Dream." This evening marks not only Trump’s re-engagement with Congress but also his first televised prime-time address since resuming office six weeks ago. According to sources, the address is expected to last between one hour to one hour and twenty minutes.
House Speaker Mike Johnson invited Trump to share his "America First" vision during the address, which will take place within the House chamber. Trump will likely discuss key issues such as immigration, tariffs, and economic policies impacting American families. His recent assertion of imposing 25% tariffs on imports from Canada and Mexico is anticipated to stir significant discussion within the address, especially as stock markets have reacted negatively to these announcements.
Compounding economic concerns lead up to tonight's speech, with polls indicating 57% of Americans predict grocery prices will continue to rise, and many express skepticism about Trump's strategies effectively curbing inflation. Economic anxiety has been palpable, causing fluctuations on Wall Street. Following the recent implementation of tariffs, stock values are reported to have declined for consecutive days.
Trump himself acknowledged the high stakes as he prepared to speak. On social media, he remarked, "Tomorrow night will be big. I will tell it like it is!" His upcoming address is also expected to highlight both foreign policy, particularly the U.S.'s relationship with Ukraine and its challenges with Russia, as well as his administration's efforts led by Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency.
Anticipation builds not just around what Trump will say but also who will be present. A significant audience will include members of Congress, the Supreme Court, invited guests, and Trump’s family. Notable guests among Trump’s attendees include families of individuals whose stories exemplify his policies. For example, Laken Riley’s family will be present, drawing attention to the administration’s immigration narrative following tragedy linked to undocumented immigrants.
Democratic lawmakers are not planning to remain silent. Following Trump's address, Michigan Senator Elissa Slotkin will deliver the Democratic response, aiming to outline the party’s vision of governance and potential differences from Trump’s policies. The Democrats have publicly criticized Trump's approach, with Slotkin likely to address economic issues and the Republican's proposed budget cuts to health programs like Medicaid.
While tensions ramp up within Capitol Hill, ghosts of past events haunt tonight’s gathering. Just over four years ago, the House chamber stirred with chaos during the insurrection. This duality frame the environment of Trump's address, with lawmakers carrying memories of the Capitol riots closely as they welcome the President to deliver his vision for the country.
To reach the widest audience, major networks such as ABC, NBC, CBS, Fox, NPR, and CBS News will provide live coverage of Trump’s address for those planning to watch from home. The speech will be significant not only for its content but also for its demonstration of the current political climate, which has stark contrasts and hypothetical fault lines drawn along party lines.
With several Democratic representatives slated to boycott the event, and discussions igniting outside of the chamber with alternate events scheduled by other factions, the address promises to reflect the polarized state of contemporary American politics and the varying viewpoints on the effectiveness of Trump's administration.
Tonight's joint session stands not merely as another address but as a pivotal moment for Trump to re-establish his relationship with both Congress and the public, reaffirming commitments to the themes he campaigned on and offering insights on how he plans to lead moving forward. The anticipation surrounding Trump’s speech encapsulates the dramatic shifts and enduring uncertainties marking his presidency since he assumed office once more.