President Donald Trump is set to deliver his State of the Union address for 2026 on Tuesday before a joint session of Congress, presenting his agenda for the coming year and highlighting achievements since returning to office.
The address comes days after the Supreme Court ruled that he does not have the authority to impose broad tariffs under an emergency powers law, delivering a significant setback to his trade agenda. Trump has pledged to bypass the ruling and use other authorities to impose tariffs on imports.
The speech also arrives amid rising tensions in the Middle East between the U.S. and Iran. Talks over Iran’s nuclear program and other regional issues are expected to continue this week, and the president has not ruled out military action should negotiations fail.
The State of the Union is scheduled to begin at 9:00 PM local time, though the start may be delayed depending on when the president arrives at the Capitol.
Historically, Trump’s addresses to Congress have varied in length. He has delivered three State of the Union speeches and two joint-session addresses immediately following his inauguration, which were not official State of the Union addresses. His 2025 address was the longest joint-session speech since at least 1964.
On Monday, at the White House, Trump previewed the speech:
“It will be a long speech because we have so much to discuss.”
The address will take place in the House of Representatives chamber at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., which can accommodate members of the House and Senate, Cabinet officials, and Supreme Court justices.
