Live updates: Trump to deliver State of the Union address | CNN Politics

Here's the latest

• *Trump’s big speech: *President Donald Trump will deliver the 2026 State of the Union address to a joint session of Congress tonight at 9 p.m. ET. The theme will be “America at 250: Strong, Prosperous and Respected,” White House officials familiar with a draft of his speech told CNN. Check out CNN’s visual guide to the SOTU address.

• *Democrats boycott: *At least a dozen Democratic lawmakers are opting to skip the speech and instead participate in a counterprogram at the National Mall. Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger is set to deliver the Democratic response to Trump’s speech.

• *What the polls say: *Trump will face a public that increasingly questions his priorities and expresses broad doubts about whether his proposed policies are helping the nation, according to a CNN poll conducted by SSRS.

Johnson to bring family members of Jimmy Lai and killed Israeli embassy staffer to SOTU

House Speaker Mike Johnson has announced his guests for President Donald Trump’s State of the Union address tonight.

Among the list is Claire Lai, daughter of former Hong Kong media tycoon Jimmy Lai, who was sentenced to 20 years in Chinese prison after a landmark national security trial this year. “America is determined to secure Jimmy’s release,” Johnson said.

Johnson will also be bringing Hanan Lischinsky, whose brother Yaron was one of two Israeli embassy staffers killed Washington, DC, last year. Lischinsky “has shown remarkable courage in shedding light on the extremism that took his brother’s life,” Johnson said. “I am honored to invite him as my guest.”

Rubio to brief Gang of Eight on Iran this afternoon

Secretary of State Marco Rubio is scheduled to brief the Gang of Eight on Iran this afternoon, just hours before President Donald Trump’s State of the Union address, according to four sources.

The briefing, which will include top lawmakers from both parties who serve on congressional intelligence committees, as well as party leadership, is expected to take place at 3 p.m. ET at the White House, according to Rubio’s public schedule.

The briefing comes amid growing concerns about possible US military action against Iran. Another round of US-Iran diplomatic talks are scheduled to take place on Thursday, but the main sticking point of whether or not Iran would be allowed to continue enrichment of uranium remains unresolved.

Watch more about protests in Iran as its government faces US pressure:

As new demonstrations start in Iran, CNN’s Isobel Yeung looks at the pressures that the Iranian government is facing.

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Key points you'll hear Trump speak about during the SOTU

The White House just revealed some of the topics President Donald Trump plans to discuss during tonight’s State of the Union address.

He will “proudly tout his Administration’s many record-breaking accomplishments,” White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said this morning.

Here’s what you can expect the president to touch on:

- Shutdown:Trump plans to call on Democrats to end the shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security, Leavitt said. Lawmakers have yet to reach an agreement on DHS funding asDemocrats demand reforms, including ending “roving” patrols, requiring independent oversight of Immigration and Customs Enforcement, baring the deportation of US citizens and stopping ICE agents from wearing masks. - Economy and military:While Leavitt said a large portion of Trump’s State of the Union speech would focus on the economy, she said the president will also “tout the accomplishments overseas of the United States military,” including an operation that targeted Iran’s nuclear facilities. - Affordability:Leavitt also indicated that the president would also blame the Biden administration for the affordability crisis. “The president will lay out the case for why he and Republicans are better suited to tackle, continue tackling, the affordability crisis that was created by the Biden administration and Democrats on Capitol Hill,” she said.

Senate Democrats release plan to block Wall Street from buying homes after executive order

President Donald Trump is expected during his State of the Union address tonight to highlight his administration’s efforts to lower housing costs.

Earlier this year, Trump signed an executive order aimed at “stopping Wall Street from competing with main street homebuyers,” by banning large institutional investors from buying single-family homes, though such a ban would likely require an act of Congress.

Blaming investors for contributing to the nation’s housing crunch has become a rare point of bipartisan agreement in recent years.

On Tuesday, a group of at least 15 Senate Democrats, led by Sen. Elizabeth Warren and Sen. Jeff Merkley, unveiled a new bill that would remove tax breaks from private equity firms, hedge funds and other Wall Street firms that buy up housing. The bill would also remove tax breaks for any corporate entities that buy up more than 50 single-family homes.

“This bill will take on predatory landlords while making investments to increase housing supply and boost homeownership for Americans,” Warren said in a statement.

But the data suggests large investors may play only a limited role in the affordability crisis: Owners with more than 100 properties make up less than 1% of the market nationwide, according to a report last year from the American Enterprise Institute’s housing center.

Trump expected to call on Democrats to end partial government shutdown during speech

CNN

President Donald Trump plans to urge Democrats to end the Department of Homeland Security shutdown in his State of the Union address later, the White House press secretary said today.

Lawmakers have yet to reach an agreement on DHS funding, as Democrats demand reforms including ending “roving” patrols, requiring independent oversight of Immigration and Customs Enforcement, barring the deportation of US citizens and stopping ICE agents from wearing masks.

Leavitt blamed Democrats for failing to reach a deal, though the White House recently rejected a counterproposal from Democrats to end the shutdown, saying last week that “the parties are still pretty far apart.”

What else he will address: While Leavitt said a large portion of Trump’s State of the Union speech would focus on the economy, she also said the president will “tout the accomplishments overseas of the United States military,” including an operation that targeted Iran’s nuclear facilities.

“You’ll hear the president proudly and rightfully say that the United States military is the strongest and most lethal fighting force in the world, and you will hear him talk about the threats that remain abroad,” she added.

Leavitt indicated that the president would also blame the Biden administration for the affordability crisis. It’s an issue that’s a weakness for the president with his top advisers seeking to find an effective message on the topic.

Trumps bringing separate guests to SOTU in break with precedent

First lady Melania Trump will bring guests to tonight’s State of the Union address, representing her foster care and responsible AI platforms, while President Donald Trump has invited his own set of guests – a move that marks a break from precedent.

The first lady typically invites guests designed to highlight the themes in the president’s speech. They sit with her in her box in the Capitol, overlooking lawmakers and the president, with cameras trained in their direction at key moments.

Sierra Burns, who grew up in foster care and became an advocate after receiving a voucher from a Melania Trump program, will join the first lady, along with Everest Nevraumont, a 10-year-old advocate for AI education, according to her office.

It underscores the independence that the first lady has brought to her role this time around. Melania Trump has spent most of her time away from Washington as her husband has physically demolished the East Wing, a space associated for decades with first ladies.

A spokesperson for the first lady did not respond to CNN’s request for comment on the reasoning behind the change.

The president’s guests, meanwhile, are expected to fill the traditional role of amplifying his agenda: US service members and “everyday Americans who have directly benefited from his policies” will be in attendance, representing Trump’s “No Tax on Tips” and “TrumpRX” efforts, Leavitt said.

Hockey players Quinn and Jack Hughes to attend State of the Union address

US men’s hockey players and brothers Quinn and Jack Hughes will attend the State of the Union address, one of the brothers said today.

When asked on ABC’s “Good Morning America” if they will be going to watch President Donald Trump deliver his annual address, Quinn said, “I don’t know how much I’m allowed to say but yes, and yeah, we’re excited to go.”

Following the team’s historic Olympic victory, Trump invited all the players to the address and even offered to send a military plane to bring them to Washington, DC.

The women’s hockey team, which also won a gold medal at the Winter Olympics, was also formally invited but the team declined the invitation, citing scheduling issues.

What to expect from Trump’s State of the Union address

CNN

The theme of President Donald Trump’s State of the Union address tonight will be “America at 250: Strong, Prosperous and Respected” — a nod to the country’s 250th birthday, White House officials familiar with a draft of his speech told CNN.

Trump is expected to argue that he ushered in a new age of American prosperity during his first year in office, with plans to reference specific stories from ordinary Americans who say the president’s policies have helped them.

He will use his speech to tick through a series of what he deems as his administration’s top accomplishments in what is likely to be a lengthy speech, the officials said. That includes specific references to Republicans’ passage of tax cuts last summer and Trump’s efforts to lower prescription drug prices.

A key question is whether he will stay on message when it comes to one of his biggest weaknesses: affordability.

Trump also plans to issue a strong defense of the importance of tariffs for national security as well as their leverage over the United States’ foreign adversaries, according to the officials. He will deliver those remarks directly in front of the Supreme Court justices who delivered his administration a major loss on the policy last week.

The president is also set to devote a portion of his address to foreign policy, with Trump expected to argue that his intervention in foreign wars has embodied “peace through strength,” one of the officials said.

Trump spent the weekend, as well as a large portion of his Monday, preparing for tonight’s address, and making edits to the speech drafted by his main speechwriter, Ross Worthington, one of the officials said.

What Americans want to hear from Trump tonight

A new CNN poll conducted by SSRS asked Americans to submit a 60-second video explaining which issue they most wanted President Donald Trump to address in his State of the Union address.

A new CNN poll conducted by SSRS asked Americans to submit a 60 second video explaining which issue they most wanted President Donald Trump to address in his State of the Union address. Here's what they said.

CNN

Trump heads into tonight's speech with a low approval rating among independents

CNN

When President Donald Trump gives his State of the Union address, he will face a public that increasingly questions his priorities and expresses broad doubts about whether his proposed policies are helping the nation, according to a CNN poll conducted by SSRS.

Adding to the pile of alarming indicators for the president’s party heading into this year’s midterms, Trump’s approval rating among political independents has dipped to a new low in CNN polling.

Just 32% of Americans now say that Trump has had the right priorities, while 68% say he hasn’t paid enough attention to the country’s most important problems. That’s the president’s most negative reading on that question to date during either of his terms in office.

At the same time, Americans say, 61% to 38%, that Trump’s policies will move the country in the wrong direction rather than the right one. And Trump’s job approval rating among all adults remains mired at 36%

Read *more about the CNN poll*.

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Who sits where during Trump's address

When President Donald Trump takes the dais tonight, Vice President JD Vance and House Speaker Mike Johnson are expected to be seated behind him on either side.

Cabinet members, Supreme Court justices, Joint Chiefs of Staff, former members of Congress and members of the diplomatic corps will be seated in front of the president. Seats in the rest of the chamber are not assigned, according to the Congressional Research Service. Senators and House members are seated on a first-come, first-served basis.

The president and first lady also typically invite about two dozen guests to sit in the gallery, to help put a human face to the president’s message for both policymakers and viewers at home.

One person will be absent during the speech: the designated survivor.

The designated survivor is a member of the Cabinet, chosen to remain in a secure location during the speech in case of catastrophe, to ensure continuity of government. Doug Collins, the secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs, was assigned the role during the president’s address in 2025.

Epstein survivors are expected to attend Trump's address tonight

CNN

A number of Jeffrey Epstein survivors plan to attend President Donald Trump’s State of the Union address on Capitol Hill tonight as guests of members of Congress, sources familiar with the plans tell CNN.

Survivor Dani Bensky plans to attend as a guest of Sen. Chuck Schumer of New York; Sharlene Rochard as a guest of Rep. Emily Randall of Washington; and Liz Stein as a guest of Rep. Teresa Leger Fernandez of New Mexico, the sources said.

Democratic Reps. Jamie Raskin and Suhas Subramanyam announced Friday that Sky and Amanda Roberts would be their guests at the State of the Union. They are the brother and sister-in-law of Virginia Roberts Giuffre, a prominent Epstein survivor who was outspoken about the ways that she had been a victim in Epstein’s sex trafficking ring.

Lawmakers have historically invited members of the public or constituents who represent issues that are important to them to the nationally broadcast speech. The presence of multiple Epstein survivors in the chamber as Trump delivers his remarks will come as the Justice Department’s partial release of millions of files related to Epstein has kicked off an international firestorm.

Trump was once friendly with Epstein but has not been accused of any wrongdoing related to the convicted child sex offender.

Hear more from Epstein survivors in the video below:

Several Democratic lawmakers are boycotting Trump’s SOTU address tonight

At least a dozen Democratic lawmakers are opting to skip President Donald Trump’s State of the Union address tonight and are instead** **participating in a “People’s State of the Union” at the National Mall.

The event is “a rally counterprogramming President Trump’s night full of lies and misplaced priorities for the American people,” according to a news release from liberal group MoveOn Civic Action, which is hosting the gathering alongside progressive media company MeidasTouch and other partners.

Maryland Sen. Chris Van Hollen, who is in the “People’s State of the Union” lineup, announced last week on his social media accounts that he will not be attending the State of Union address.

“Trump is marching America towards fascism, and I refuse to normalize his shredding of our Constitution & democracy*,” *he wrote. “This cannot be business as usual.”

Here’s who else is skipping the president’s remarks and attending the event, according to MoveOn:

• Massachusetts Sen. Ed Markey
• Oregon Sen. Jeff Merkley
• Connecticut Sen. Chris Murphy
• Minnesota Sen. Tina Smith
• Arizona Rep. Yassamin Ansari
• Vermont Rep. Becca Balint
• Texas Rep. Greg Casar
• Texas Rep. Veronica Escobar
• Washington State Rep. Pramila Jayapal
• Illinois Rep. Delia Ramirez
• New Jersey Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman

Here’s a recap of Trump’s last address to Congress

Last year, President Donald Trump delivered the first address to Congress of his second term. His speech broke the record for longest annual presidential address to Congress in modern history, at just under one hour and 40 minutes.

The president made the case for the trade wars he’d started with Canada and Mexico, defended his effort with Elon Musk to downsize and remake American government, and faced loud opposition and heckling from Democrats.

Here’s *a recap** of his 2025 remarks:*

- A partisan affair:From almost the first words of Trump’s speech last year, it was evident it would not resemble many addresses to Congress in the past. He boasted about his November election win, attacked Democrats for standing in his way and complained they would never applaud his accomplishments. The dramatics extended to the audience, where Democratic Rep. Al Green interrupted the president repeatedly before House Speaker Mike Johnson ordered the sergeant-at-arms toeject the Texas congressman. - Always in campaign mode:Throughout the speech, Trump narrowed in on the culture war issues that thrill his base, promising to erase “wokeness” from society and touting some of his most divisive executive actions. He bemoaned what he called the unfairness of affirmative action and touted his efforts to roll back transgender rights and diversity programs. - Downsized government:The president highlighted Elon Musk, the billionaire previously in charge of his government efficiency effort, who was sitting in the galleries at the time. Later, Trump recited a lengthy list of programs whose funding had been slashed by the Department of Government Efficiency, misleadingly calling them examples of fraud. - Blame it on Biden:Trump named former President Joe Biden 12 times in his speech last year and referenced the previous administration another four times, according to excerpts of the speech. He accused Biden of leaving him problems ranging from the high price of eggs to authorizing too much money for Ukraine. - Democrats respond:Sen. Elissa Slotkin delivered the Democrats’ rebuttal. She kept it short and to the point. She opened by accusing Trump — and, pointedly, Musk — of taking a “reckless” and “chaotic” approach to reforming the federal government. Decrying the Oval Office’s berating of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, she claimed Ronald Reagan would be “rolling in his grave.”

CNN’s Zachary B. Wolf and Curt Merrill contributed reporting.

What we know about Trump's State of the Union address tonight

President Donald Trump offered some insight into his State of the Union address yesterday, saying viewers can expect it to be a “a long speech.”

“It’s going to be a long speech, because we have so much to talk about,” Trump said.

Here’s what else we know:

- Timing:Trump will deliver the 2026 State of the Union address to the 119th Congress at 9 p.m. ET. It’s an opportunity for the president to outline his administration’s goals and accomplishments, as well as address the nation’s most pressing issues. - New poll:He will face a public that increasingly questions his priorities and expresses broad doubts about whether his proposed policies are helping the nation, according toa new CNN poll conducted by SSRS. - Notable guests:MultipleJeffrey Epstein survivorsplan to attend the address as guests of members of Congress. - Democrats’ response: Virginia Gov.Abigail Spanbergerwill deliver the Democratic Party’s response to the speech tomorrow night, with California Sen. Alex Padilla giving the party’s Spanish-language response.