Donald Trump is set to deliver the 2026 State of the Union address tonight at 9 p.m. ET (3:00 a.m Nigerian time), speaking before the 119th Congress in what he has already previewed as “a long speech.”
The annual address offers him a prime-time platform to outline his administration’s goals, defend his record and frame the political narrative heading deeper into his second term.
But unlike traditional moments of bipartisan pageantry, this year’s address unfolds against a backdrop of boycotts, counterprogramming and new polling that signals rising skepticism among Americans about the president’s priorities.
At least a dozen Democratic lawmakers are skipping Trump’s speech, choosing instead to attend a “People’s State of the Union” rally at the National Mall.
The event is organised by MoveOn Civic Action alongside progressive media company MeidasTouch and other partners. In a news release, organisers describe the gathering as “a rally counterprogramming President Trump’s night full of lies and misplaced priorities for the American people.”
Among those opting out of the president’s remarks is Maryland Sen. Chris Van Hollen, who announced on social media that he would not attend.
“Trump is marching America towards fascism, and I refuse to normalise his shredding of our Constitution & democracy,” Van Hollen wrote. “This cannot be business as usual.”
Other Democratic lawmakers participating in the National Mall event include:
- 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 Rep. Pramila Jayapal
- Illinois Rep. Delia Ramirez
- New Jersey Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman
Their absence underscores the widening partisan divide that has defined much of Trump’s second term.
The tension echoes the president’s first address to Congress of his second term in 2025, which set a modern record as the longest annual presidential address in history, lasting just under one hour and 40 minutes.
From the outset, that speech signaled a combative tone. Trump celebrated his November election victory, criticised Democrats for obstructing his agenda and suggested they would never applaud his accomplishments. The chamber quickly reflected that hostility.
Texas Democratic Rep. Al Green repeatedly interrupted the president, prompting House Speaker Mike Johnson to order the sergeant-at-arms to escort Green from the chamber.
Throughout the address, Trump remained firmly in campaign mode. He leaned into culture war themes, pledging to eliminate “wokeness,” criticizing affirmative action and touting executive actions rolling back transgender rights and diversity initiatives.
He also defended the trade wars he initiated with Canada and Mexico and highlighted his collaboration with billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk to downsize and remake the federal government. Musk, previously tasked with overseeing a government efficiency effort, sat in the gallery during the speech.
Trump recited a lengthy list of programs cut by the Department of Government Efficiency, portraying them as examples of fraud claims that critics disputed.
Blame for ongoing challenges frequently landed on former President Joe Biden. Trump named Biden a dozen times and referenced the previous administration repeatedly, tying issues such as high egg prices and funding for Ukraine to his predecessor.
The Democratic rebuttal last year came from Michigan Sen. Elissa Slotkin, who accused Trump and Musk of taking a “reckless” and “chaotic” approach to government reform. She criticized the administration’s treatment of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and argued that former President Ronald Reagan would be “rolling in his grave.”
This year, Trump signals an equally expansive performance.
“So we have a country that’s now doing well. We have the greatest economy we’ve ever had. We have the most activity we’ve ever had. I’m making a speech tomorrow night, and you’ll be hearing me say that,” he said ahead of the address. “It’s going to be a long speech, because we have so much to talk about.”
He is expected to highlight what he describes as record economic performance, defend his reshaping of federal agencies and revisit themes that energise his political base.
Multiple Jeffrey Epstein survivors are also slated to attend as guests of members of Congress, adding another layer of attention to the evening.
Yet Trump steps to the podium facing a public that appears increasingly uncertain.
A new CNN poll conducted by SSRS finds growing numbers of Americans questioning the president’s priorities and expressing broad doubts about whether his proposed policies are helping the nation.
That tension between the president’s confident rhetoric and a more skeptical electorate sets the stage for a consequential address that could shape the political trajectory of 2026.
The Democratic Party’s official response will come from Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger, who is scheduled to speak after Trump’s remarks. California Sen. Alex Padilla will deliver the party’s Spanish-language response.
As Trump prepares for what he promises will be another lengthy address, the split-screen contrast is unmistakable: a president touting economic strength and sweeping reforms, and an opposition mobilizing outside the Capitol to argue the country is heading in the wrong direction.
Erizia Rubyjeana
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