President Donald Trump will address a deeply divided Congress and nation tonight, February 24, 2026, delivering the first State of the Union address of his second term. The high-stakes speech comes at a moment of extraordinary volatility for the administration, following a stunning Supreme Court defeat regarding trade policy and amid an ominous military buildup in the Middle East. As the President steps to the rostrum at 9:00 p.m. ET, he faces the challenge of selling his vision to a public skeptical of his handling of the economy and wary of a potential new conflict with Iran.
Supreme Court Strikes Down Trade Agenda, Trump Counters with New Global Tariffs
The backdrop for tonight’s address is dominated by a constitutional clash over trade authority. On Friday, the Supreme Court ruled 6-3 that President Trump exceeded his presidential powers by using the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) to impose sweeping tariffs on U.S. trading partners. The decision was a major rebuke to the administration's economic strategy, effectively nullifying billions of dollars in collected duties and prompting calls from Democratic lawmakers for immediate refunds to American businesses.
Undeterred, the President moved swiftly to circumvent the ruling. In a defiant response, Trump signed executive orders invoking Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974—a rarely used provision dealing with balance-of-payments deficits. Effective today, February 24, a new 10% global tariff goes into effect on nearly all imports. White House officials have indicated this rate could climb to 15% if trade imbalances persist. Tonight, expect the President to frame this move not as a reaction to the court, but as a necessary defense of American manufacturing, despite economists warning of potential inflationary spikes.
Iran Military Buildup 2026: A Looming Crisis
Beyond domestic economic turmoil, the specter of war looms large over the Capitol. Tensions between Washington and Tehran have reached their boiling point following the collapse of nuclear negotiations earlier this month. In response to what the administration calls "imminent threats" from the Iranian regime, the Pentagon has authorized the largest deployment of American military assets to the region since 2003.
Satellite imagery and flight tracking data confirm that the USS Gerald R. Ford carrier strike group has arrived in the Mediterranean to support the USS Abraham Lincoln, already stationed in the Middle East. Over 150 additional combat aircraft have been shifted to bases in Europe and the Persian Gulf. With new talks scheduled for Thursday in Geneva, tonight's speech will likely serve as a final ultimatum. Sources close to the situation suggest President Trump will warn that failure to reach a deal will result in "decisive" military action to neutralize Iran's nuclear capabilities.
"Angel Family Day" and Hardline Immigration Focus
Immigration remains a cornerstone of the President's agenda. Just yesterday, during a solemn ceremony at the White House, President Trump signed a proclamation designating February 22 as "National Angel Family Day." The designation honors the families of victims killed by undocumented immigrants—a demographic the President frequently highlights to justify strict border enforcement measures.
During the ceremony, Trump stood with grieving families, reaffirming his commitment to mass deportation efforts. "We will never forget the victims, and we will never stop fighting to protect our people," he declared. Political analysts anticipate that he will leverage this emotional appeal tonight to demand Congress fund expansive new detention facilities and border wall completion, framing immigration control as a non-negotiable national security imperative.
Trump Approval Rating 2026 Hits New Lows
The President enters the House chamber facing historically low approval ratings for this point in a second term. Recent polling data reveals that support among independent voters has cratered to just 26%, a significant drop from last year. Overall approval hovers around 36%, with a majority of Americans expressing disapproval of his handling of tariffs and inflation.
Public sentiment suggests a growing disconnect. A recent Washington Post-ABC News poll found that 64% of respondents believe the President is "out of touch" with the economic concerns of average citizens. With the midterm elections looming, Republicans are looking to the President to reset the narrative and energize the base without further alienating suburban voters who are crucial to retaining control of Congress.
How to Watch the Trump SOTU 2026 Live Stream
For those tuning in to watch the address, coverage will be ubiquitous. The speech will be broadcast live on all major cable and broadcast networks, including CBS, NBC, ABC, FOX News, and CNN starting at 9:00 p.m. ET. For cord-cutters, the Trump SOTU 2026 live stream will be available on YouTube, PBS.org, and various network apps. The Democratic response will follow immediately after the President concludes his remarks.
