If you have been wondering what time is the State of the Union address on Tuesday, here is the answer: President Donald Trump will deliver his State of the Union address on Tuesday, February 24, 2026, at 9 p.m. Eastern Time (8 p.m. Central, 7 p.m. Mountain, 6 p.m. Pacific). Coverage is expected to run from 9 p.m. to 11 p.m. ET on all major television networks.
Mark your calendar and set your reminders — this is one speech you will not want to miss. Read on to find out where to watch, what to expect, and why this year’s address is already making waves.
This is Trump’s first formal State of the Union during his second term in the White House, and the nation is tuned in ahead of what promises to be one of the most politically charged nights of the year. The speech will take place before a joint session of Congress at the U.S. Capitol, and it comes at a moment when the country is deeply divided on a number of major policy issues — from trade and tariffs to immigration enforcement and economic growth.
What Time Does the State of the Union Start and Where to Watch
The address officially kicks off at 9 p.m. ET on Tuesday, February 24. Viewers across the country can tune in on ABC, NBC, CBS, Fox News, NPR, and PBS. Major cable news networks including CNN and MSNBC will also carry live coverage. For those who prefer to stream, USA TODAY will broadcast the speech on both its website and YouTube channel. Several other streaming platforms are expected to carry the event as well.
House Speaker Mike Johnson extended the invitation to President Trump earlier this year, pointing to what he described as the accomplishments of the Trump administration and a Republican-led Congress throughout 2025. The White House has offered little in the way of a formal preview about specific topics Trump will address, though several themes have emerged based on recent news and administration activity.
What Trump Is Expected to Talk About
While no formal script has been released ahead of the address, several major topics are widely anticipated. Economic policy, including trade and tariffs, is expected to be a central theme. Trump has spent much of his second term pursuing aggressive trade policies, and recent legal developments — including a Supreme Court ruling that struck down the use of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act as the legal basis for many of his tariff hikes — are certain to play into his remarks.
Trump reacted sharply to that ruling, and observers expect him to address it directly on Tuesday night. He has since invoked Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974 to impose a 10 percent global tariff, signaling that he does not intend to back away from his trade agenda. Trump is expected to frame these moves as part of a broader economic vision centered on strengthening American manufacturing and reducing trade deficits.
Immigration will also feature prominently. The administration has pursued sweeping enforcement efforts throughout Trump’s second term, and those actions have drawn sharp criticism from Democrats and civil liberties groups. The speech gives Trump a prime-time stage to make his case directly to the American public on an issue that has defined much of his presidency.
Foreign policy will likely round out the major themes. The administration’s approach to NATO, ongoing developments related to Ukraine, and Trump’s claim of a significant foreign policy achievement — the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro — are all expected to come up during the address.
The Democratic Response and the Boycott
Not all members of Congress plan to be seated in the House chamber when Trump speaks. A growing number of Democratic lawmakers — estimated at around 20 or more — have announced plans to boycott the address entirely. Instead of attending, they plan to participate in a counter-event called the “People’s State of the Union,” hosted on the National Mall by progressive organizations MoveOn and MeidasTouch. The event is set to begin at 8:30 p.m. ET, just before Trump takes the podium, and will be hosted by former MSNBC anchors Joy Reid and Katie Phang.
Among the Democrats confirmed to attend the counter-event are Senators Adam Schiff, Ed Markey, Jeff Merkley, Chris Murphy, Tina Smith, and Chris Van Hollen, along with several House members including Representatives Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Eric Swalwell, and Seth Moulton. The rally is designed to feature Americans who have been affected by Trump’s policies, including federal workers who lost their jobs due to government restructuring and immigrants impacted by enforcement actions.
Separately, an event called the “State of the Swamp” is being held at the National Press Club at 7 p.m. ET, organized by Defiance.org, featuring current and former lawmakers.
Despite the boycott movement, Democratic House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries said he plans to attend the speech. “We’re not going to Donald Trump’s house. He’s coming to our house,” Jeffries told reporters, indicating he sees the chamber as a space Democrats should not cede.
The Official Democratic Rebuttal
Virginia Governor Abigail Spanberger will deliver the official Democratic rebuttal to the State of the Union following Trump’s address. Spanberger, widely regarded as a rising figure within the Democratic Party, is expected to offer an alternative vision for the country’s direction. California Democratic Senator Alex Padilla will also deliver a Spanish-language response, reflecting the party’s commitment to reaching a diverse national audience.
Why This State of the Union Matters
This address arrives at a pivotal political moment. With midterm elections on the horizon in November 2026, Tuesday’s speech represents an important opportunity for Trump to rally his base, outline his legislative agenda, and defend his record in the face of declining approval numbers. Polls conducted in the days before the address showed that approximately six in ten Americans disapprove of his performance — a backdrop that adds pressure to the prime-time moment.
The State of the Union also carries constitutional weight. Mandated by Article II, Section 3 of the U.S. Constitution, the address requires the president to inform Congress about the condition of the country and recommend legislative priorities. That tradition stretches back to 1790, and while the format has evolved significantly over the centuries — from written reports to televised spectacles — the core purpose remains the same.
This year, the speech is also notable for the sheer scale of political drama surrounding it. Between the Supreme Court tariff ruling, ongoing immigration debates, foreign policy developments, and a formal boycott by members of Congress, Tuesday night shapes up to be far more than a standard presidential address.
How to Watch From Start to Finish
To make sure you catch every moment, tune in to any major broadcast or cable network at 9 p.m. ET on Tuesday, February 24. If you prefer to stream, head to USA TODAY’s YouTube channel or website. Social media platforms are also expected to carry live coverage, with real-time commentary and fact-checking from outlets across the political spectrum.
The full coverage block is expected to run two hours, from 9 p.m. to 11 p.m. ET, including analysis and response segments following the speech.
What will you be watching for during Tuesday night’s address — Trump’s comments on tariffs, immigration, or something else entirely? Drop your thoughts in the comments below and stay tuned for live updates throughout the evening.
