Trump State of the Union Speech 2026: How to Watch, Time and Attendees

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by Minho Kim

February 24, 2026

AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary

President Trump is set to deliver his 2026 State of the Union address at 9 p.m. Eastern time before a joint session of Congress. The speech will be aired live by major television networks, including ABC, NBC, FOX, CNN, and streamed with live analysis on *The New York Times*. This marks an important moment for Trump to outline his priorities, with topics expected to include Iran, tariffs, and his immigration policies. Democrats have selected Gov. Abigail Spanberger of Virginia to deliver their party’s response. A moderate Democrat and former undercover C.I.A. officer, Spanberger has a history of defeating Republican candidates in battleground districts. She plans to focus on key issues such as rising costs, community chaos, and the uncertainty faced by Americans daily. Her centrist approach and strong election performance make her a strategic choice for the party, aiming to resonate with voters ahead of the midterm elections. Additionally, Sen. Alex Padilla of California will deliver the Spanish-language response, marking him as the first Latino elected to represent California in the Senate to take on this role. This reflects an effort by Democrats to broaden their appeal and address diverse audiences during the State of the Union proceedings. The speech and subsequent responses are significant for several reasons. They provide a platform for Trump to set his agenda and highlight key issues, while allowing Democrats to counter with their own priorities. The selection of Spanberger and Padilla underscores the party’s focus on affordability, unity, and inclusivity, which they hope will resonate with voters in the run-up to November’s elections.

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Originally published on NYT Homepage on 2/24/2026