Trump on Feb. 27. Photo: Carl Court - Pool/Getty Images
Here's a quick guide to what we'll be listening for tonight when President Trump addresses Congress.
The big picture: Trump isn't known for getting into the weeds on policy. But given this administration's desire to accelerate AI development and punish Big Tech for perceived censorship, any mentions could indicate where tech policy is going.
AI: The biggest tech policy topic in Washington continues to be artificial intelligence.
- Trump could reiterate Vice President Vance's recent remarks that the U.S. is going to prioritize rapid innovation over safety, a departure from the Biden administration's approach.
- Trump's second term has kicked off with support from most major AI companies, including adviser Elon Musk's own xAI.
Tariffs and tech: Trump's tariffs on Canada, Mexico and China will reverberate throughout the tech world, and we expect that he'll defend them tonight despite the reality that higher costs will be passed onto consumers.
- Tech is anxious about the tariffs as they will affect everything from smartphones to car components to medical devices. Companies like Apple that do tons of their manufacturing in China will see a direct impact from the tariffs.
- Trump's U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement, which is up for review in 2026, will be center stage as trade partners use the deal to fight these tariffs and the ones that have been threatened in retaliation for digital taxes.
Big Tech complaints: The FTC already kicked off a proceeding around alleged Big Tech censorship, and the FCC has signaled it'll be targeting media they view as unfair to Trump, too.
- Though most major social media companies have relaxed their content moderation efforts and Musk is in charge of X, the idea that social media silences conservative speech hasn't gone away.
- Trump may also discuss wanting to gut Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act, an idea that gained a lot of steam during his last term but ultimately didn't happen.
TikTok: On the day of his inauguration, Trump signed an executive order delaying a ban on TikTok until early April so the company can find a new owner.
- National security concerns over TikTok's ties to China were widely shared in Congress and in Trump's first term, but he did a 180 on the issue after his supporters pushed back.
- The president could address what's next for the widely popular app tonight.
Kids and social media: Lawmakers for years have tried to protect kids online, but legislation is actually poised to cross the finish line now that Melania Trump has thrown her weight behind the TAKE IT DOWN Act.
- The first lady will bring a victim of revenge porn to the joint session, 15-year-old Elliston Berry from Texas.
- This is another area where Big Tech, and the proliferation of AI, may come under fire as bill backers blame companies in addition to the people creating and posting the harmful imagery.
