US President Donald Trump is scheduled to deliver the State of the Union address at 9 p.m. on 24/2 (9 a.m. on 25/2 Hanoi time) at the Capitol building. "The speech will be very long because we have a lot to discuss," he said at a White House event on 23/2.
The event comes as Trump faces low approval ratings, particularly concerning immigration, an issue that helped him win two presidential elections. The address also follows a significant blow to his tariff policies by the Supreme Court just days prior, and weeks after federal agents deployed by the administration shot and killed two US citizens in Minneapolis.
Despite these challenges, Trump is expected to focus on touting his achievements, with a particular emphasis on the economy, during the address.
"The President will, of course, tout the record achievements his administration has accomplished over the past year, while outlining an ambitious agenda to continue making the American Dream more achievable and accessible for working people across the country," White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said on 24/2.
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US President Donald Trump speaking at a White House event on 23/2. Photo: AFP |
According to Leavitt, the President will also "make some new policy announcements" targeting cost of living issues, including a pledge to protect electricity consumers. Under this proposal, technology companies building data centers, which consume massive amounts of electricity, will be required to pay more to reduce the risk of electricity price spikes for communities where these centers are built.
This marks the first State of the Union address of Trump's second term, with midterm elections scheduled for november. Democrats are attacking Trump and incumbent Republican lawmakers over cost of living issues, a tactic that proved effective in the 2025 local elections, following the Republican Party's success in capitalizing on this issue to gain an advantage and control both chambers of Congress in 2024.
Delivering the State of the Union address to Congress is both a constitutional duty and an opportunity for the President to present his political agenda to Congress and the public. Members of both houses of Congress, Supreme Court justices, military commanders, and cabinet members typically attend the event, though some Democrats plan to boycott and hold alternative events outside Capitol Hill.
Trump has also invited several private citizens to attend the address, including a couple who benefited from legislation allowing workers to deduct tip and overtime earnings from their annual income. Additionally, he invited the US men's Olympic hockey team, who won a gold medal at the Winter Olympics a few days ago.
Huyen Le (According to CNBC, NPR)
