The State of the Union address is a tradition that goes back to 1913, as sitting presidents address a joint session of Congress and lay out their agenda for the coming year.
This will be President Donald Trump‘s second State of the Union since returning to office in January 2025, and his fifth overall.
To keep you informed, Watch With Us has put together our guide for the upcoming political event.
Keep reading, and you’ll learn everything you need to watch Trump’s 2026 State of the Union address.
When Time Is the 2026 State of the Union Address?
Donald Trump Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images
The State of the Union is scheduled to begin at 6:00 p.m. PST/9:00 p.m. EST on Tuesday, February 24. The length of the speech has varied by year, but Trump’s last State of the Union was 1 hour, 39 minutes.
Where Is the State of the Union Streaming?
The four major broadcast networks, NBC, CBS, ABC and Fox, will all be broadcasting the speech live and simultaneously streaming it on their respective sites. Similarly, major news organizations, including CNN, MS Now, PBS and Fox News will be carrying the address.
A stream will also be available on the White House’s official site.
https://www.whitehouse.gov/live/
What’s the State of the Union Going to Be About?
Earlier this week, Trump told reporters that “it’s going to be a long speech because we have a lot to talk about.”
There is indeed a lot to address, but the pressing topic on Trump’s mind will likely be the Supreme Court’s recent ruling striking down many of the tariffs he had imposed since the beginning of his second administration. Trump responded to that ruling by raising tariffs 10 percent across the board, before deciding to make the rate 15 percent a short time later. However, those tariffs are only applicable for 150 days without action from Congress. The new tariffs have already gone into effect, but only at the initial 10 percent rate.
The backlash against Trump’s immigration policies and ICE will also surely be a topic at the State of the Union. Democrats and Republicans are currently at an impasse, and the Department of Homeland Security has been shut down until new funding is approved. Democrats are pushing for ICE reforms and revised rules of engagement following the deaths of two American citizens at the hands of ICE agents, both of which triggered widespread protests.
After winning gold at the 2026 Winter Olympics, a trip to the State of the Union address will not be on Team USA women’s hockey team’s calendar of events. “We are sincerely grateful for the invitation extended to our gold medal–winning U.S. Women’s Hockey Team and deeply appreciate the recognition of their extraordinary achievement,” USA […]
Finally, Trump is expected to speak about the military buildup in the Middle East that may lead to a war with Iran. Trump ordered US forces to the region in a bid to force the Iranian government to make a new nuclear deal. However, there are concerns that Trump’s actions were a pretense for strikes on Iran regardless of the outcome of talks.
Will There Be a Democratic Rebuttal?
Yes. It’s a tradition for the opposition party to deliver its own address to the nation immediately following the President’s speech. It won’t run as long as the State of the Union, but the same outlets will carry it.
This year, there will be two Democrats addressing the nation. Virginia Governor Abigail Spanberger will deliver the primary speech, while California Senator Alex Padilla will provide a Spanish-language alternative.
Will the Team USA Women’s Hockey Team Be at Trump’s 2026 State of the Union Address?
Gold medalists Megan Keller #5, Aerin Frankel #31 and Hayley Scamurra #16 of Team United States of Team United States pose after the medal ceremony for Women’s Ice Hockey following the Women’s Gold Medal match between the United States and Canada on day 13 of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic games at Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena on February 19, 2026 in Milan, Italy. Bruce Bennett/Getty Images
No. While the gold medal winners were invited to attend by the White House, they turned down the invitation. Below is their official statement:
“We are sincerely grateful for the invitation extended to our gold medal–winning U.S. Women’s Hockey Team and deeply appreciate the recognition of their extraordinary achievement,” USA Hockey said in a statement to NBC News on Monday, February 23. “They were honored to be included and are grateful for the acknowledgment.” The team is unable to attend due to “previously scheduled academic and professional commitments.”
The men’s hockey team will attend. People are still talking about the controversial call Trump had after the U.S. men’s team won the gold medal over Canada, when Trump seemingly shaded the women’s hockey team by admitting that if he didn’t invite them, he “probably would be impeached.”