What to know about Trump's joint address to Congress Tuesday
Add Axios as your preferred source to
see more of our stories on Google.
Workers put up security fencing at the Capitol in D.C. on March 2 ahead of President Trump's address to a joint session of Congress. Photo: Tierney L Cross/AFP via Getty Images
President Trump addresses a joint session of Congress Tuesday but it is not an official State of the Union address.
Why it matters: In Trump's first six weeks he has started a federal government overhaul, driven by DOGE, dismantled USAID and moved to shut down the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.
- The address comes days after Trump's heated Oval Office meeting with Vice President Vance and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
- Trump has also had a slew of executive orders, some of which have rolled back former President Biden's actions.
The big picture: The March 4 speech is the first Trump will give to Congress since returning to the White House.
- In late January, House Speaker Mike Johnson invited Trump via a letter to deliver the joint address to Congress.
- "TOMORROW NIGHT WILL BE BIG. I WILL TELL IT LIKE IT IS!," Trump wrote on Truth Social Monday.
What time does Trump address Congress Tuesday?
Zoom in: Trump is scheduled to speak at 9pm ET on Tuesday, which is 6pm PT.
Why is Trump's address to Congress not a State of the Union?
State of play: When a president addresses a joint session of Congress, it is often referred to as a State of the Union speech.
- But for a president's first year in office, it's not called a State of the Union address even though the speech serves the same purpose.
Where is the Trump address to Congress held?
The speech is held in the chamber of the House of Representatives at the Capitol in Washington, D.C.
How to watch Trump's speech on TV or streaming
All major news networks are broadcasting the address, including CNN, PBS, NBC, MSNBC, CBS, Fox News, NewsNation and C-SPAN.
- Most networks start coverage starts hours before the address and will continue broadcasting analysis of the speech for hours after.
How long will Trump's speech be?
Flashback: Trump's 2017 speech was one hour long.
- The average length of his State of Union addresses held in 2018 through 2020 was one hour and 20 minutes, according to the American Presidency Project.
Between the lines: Not calling newly inaugurated presidents' early speeches to Congress "State of the Union addresses" has been going on for more than 40 years, according to the American Presidency Project.
- It started with Ronald Regan's 1981 address to Congress.
Who is giving Democrats' response to Trump's speech?
Zoom out: Sen. Elissa Slotkin (D-Mich.) is slated to give the Democratic response to Trump's address Tuesday.
- House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) have been telling members to bring guests to the address who have been negatively impacted by the administration.
Who is the designated survivor?
Secretary of Veterans Affairs Doug Collins is Trump's designated survivor Tuesday night, according to multiple reports.
- The designated survivor is a Cabinet member who stays behind during speeches like tonight's in case of catastrophe.
- Rep. Mike Thompson (D-Calif.) announced earlier Tuesday he was selected to be the designated survivor for the Democratic side.
More from Axios:
- Hegseth suspends offensive cyber operations against Russia: reports
- Time is running out to get a Real ID ahead of May 7 deadline
- Trump says he's instructing Treasury to "stop producing new pennies"
Editor's note: This story has been updated with additional details.
