NOW: Trump is delivering his 2026 State of the Union address
President Donald Trump is now delivering his 2026 State of the Union address to a joint session of Congress.
Trump enters chamber
President Donald Trump has entered the House chamber and will deliver his State of the Union address momentarily.
4 Democratic lawmakers from "illegal orders" video take selfie on House floor
Among the Democrats who chose to attend the State of the Union tonight? The four Democratic House members who were targeted by President Donald Trump’s Justice Department for their video encouraging service members to disobey illegal orders.
Those Democrats — Reps. Jason Crow, Maggie Goodlander, Chris Deluzio and Chrissy Houlahan — posted a selfie from the House chamber on Tuesday night.
The DOJ had sought to indict those members for their role in the 90-second video. But a federal grand jury nixed the case earlier this month.
Sen. Lindsey Graham carries "Make Iran Great Again" hat to House floor
Republican Sen. Lindsay Graham carried a hat that read “Make Iran Great Again” as he walked with his Senate colleagues to the House floor, holding it down by his side during the procession.
Graham, a longtime Iran hawk and a harsh critic of the nuclear deal signed by the Obama administration, has pushed for the US to take a firmer stance against the country.
Earlier Tuesday, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and CIA Director John Ratcliffe briefed the so-called Gang of Eight – the top Republicans and Democrats in the House and Senate, and the top Republicans and Democrats on the House and Senate Intelligence Committees – on Iran.
Pelosi among Democrats wearing pins supporting Epstein survivors
Democrats are wearing pins to President Donald Trump’s State of the Union address tonight that say: “Stand with Survivors, Release the Files.”
Nancy Pelosi is one of them, according to a person familiar with the matter.
This comes as many Democrats have invited survivors of the late Jeffrey Epstein’s abuse as their guests.
Three Supreme Court justices who opposed Trump on tariffs arrive for remarks
Days after the Supreme Court shut down President Donald Trump’s emergency global tariffs, four justices have turned up to hear his remarks.
Chief Justice John Roberts and Justices Elena Kagan, Brett Kavanaugh and Amy Coney Barrett entered the House chamber Tuesday wearing black robes and somber faces. Three of those four — Roberts, Kagan and Barrett — sided with the majority Friday in ruling against the president’s sweeping tariffs, setting off Trump’s angry, insult-laded press conference hours later.
Some justices always show for the speech. Eschewing the politics of the event, the justices rarely applaud and usually sit stone-faced while the rest of the chamber repeatedly erupts into applause or jeers.
If Trump decides to revisit the decision during his remarks, or to continue his broadsides on the court, it will make for an especially awkward moment for the justices this year.
Trump appointed both Kavanaugh and Barrett to the court during his first term. Barrett sided with the majority against Trump’s tariffs. Kavanaugh wrote the dissent. In response, Trump has described Kavanaugh as a “genius” and Barrett and others in the majority as an “embarrassment to their families.”
The speech is always a bit awkward for the justices, who have often wondered aloud about the value of attending the highly political event. This year, Justices Clarence Thomas, Samuel Alito, Sonia Sotomayor, Neil Gorsuch and Ketanji Brown Jackson have apparently made other plans.
Sen. Markwayne Mullin on the economy: "You don't fix this overnight"
Changing the public’s perception of President Donald Trump’s economic policies will take time, according to Republican Sen. Markwayne Mullin.
He told CNN’s Dana Bash that one speech won’t change the country’s attitude on the economy. “You don’t fix this overnight,” Mullin said.
See more here:
Sen. Lindsey Graham's guest: Paramount CEO David Ellison
Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham surprised many in the media world with his choice of State of the Union guest: Paramount CEO David Ellison.
Lawmakers more commonly invite hometown heroes, local activists and political leaders. But Graham evidently wanted to showcase Ellison, the media mogul who acquired Paramount last year and who is mounting a hostile takeover bid for Warner Bros. Discovery.
Graham posted a photo with Ellison on Tuesday evening, the same day Paramount escalated its bid for Warner Bros. Discovery to $31 per share. Warner Bros., CNN’s parent company, is continuing to move forward with a Netflix merger deal while weighing Paramount’s revised bid.
Ellison has been seeking support in Washington as Paramount asserts that its bid will win the approval of regulators while the Netflix deal will struggle. Netflix rejects that argument. Ellison met with President Donald Trump at the White House this month, CNN reported.
Sen. John Fetterman wears suit and tie to State of the Union
Sen. John Fetterman, who frequently sports a hoodie and shorts at the US Capitol, is wearing a suit to President Trump’s State of the Union address tonight.
The Pennsylvania Democrat walked over to the House chamber with dozens of his Senate colleagues dressed in a suit and tie.
It is a House rule that men wear a “coat and tie” while on the floor.
Pro-Trump protester rushes stage at rally on National Mall where Democrats are speaking
A pro-Trump protester rushed the stage at the Democratic counter-programming event on the National Mall tonight.
“Go Trump,” the man shouted into the microphone.
Connecticut Democratic Sen. Chris Murphy was speaking at the time. Murphy brushed the man aside and said, “Thanks, man,” before the situation was quickly resolved with the man being escorted from the stage.
Murphy said he was boycotting the State of the Union address because “Donald Trump is making a mockery of this great institution and he doesn’t deserve an audience.”
“This union is in crisis,” the senator said.
Sen. Mark Kelly hopes to send Trump a message with his presence tonight
Arizona Sen. Mark Kelly says he’ll be looking for a seat in the front row of the House chamber tonight for President Donald Trump’s State of the Union address.
“I want the president to know that he was unsuccessful,” he told CNN’s Dana Bash.
What to know: The Democrat was among a group of lawmakers that Trump failed to indict this month.
Melania Trump is all business in Dolce & Gabbana suit at SOTU
First lady Melania Trump is projecting business Tuesday evening, attending the State of the Union address in a dark gray suit.
The first lady is wearing an anthracite Dolce & Gabbana pantsuit with wide leg pants and a crisp, white cotton shirt, according to a White House official, along with gray flannel Manolo Blahnik stilettos.
Trump has long favored the Italian label, which has had some controversy in recent years, wearing a double-breasted Dolce & Gabbana tuxedo jacket in her official portrait. She has often opted for businesslike pieces during her second term, including multiple monochromatic suits.
The first lady heralded American fashion as she unveiled her inaugural gown at a Smithsonian museum exhibit last week and spoke to her personal interest in fashion.
“Personally, I relish the entire design process, from start to finish,” she said Friday. “It takes time, it’s slow, but the end result is always magical.”
Trump arrives at US Capitol ahead of State of the Union address
President Donald Trump’s motorcade has arrived at the US Capitol. He is set to give his State of the Union address momentarily.
CNN has some excerpts from his prepared remarks.
Trump will reference alleged fraud in Minneapolis and call for reopening DHS
President Donald Trump plans to reference allegations of fraud in Minneapolis’ Somali community, according to excerpts of his speech.
“But when it comes to the corruption that is plundering America, there has been no more stunning example than Minnesota—where members of the Somali community have pillaged an estimated $19 billion dollars from the American taxpayer,” the president will say.
The allegations of fraud were part of what prompted the surge of immigration enforcement action in Minneapolis, which drew blowback after two Americans were killed by federal officers.
Democrats have refused to approve new funding for the Department of Homeland Security unless Republicans agree to significant changes to federal immigration enforcement.
Trump, in his speech, will call on Democrats to join Republicans in refunding the department.
“As we speak, Democrats in this chamber have cut off all funding for the Department of Homeland Security,” he will say. “They have closed the agency responsible for protecting Americans from terrorists and murderers. Tonight, I am demanding the full and immediate restoration of all funding for the Border Security and Homeland Security of the United States.”
Trump has left the White House
President Donald Trump has left the White House and is now en route to the US Capitol with first lady Melania Trump.
It will be a short drive down Pennsylvania Avenue to the US Capitol for the president’s State of the Union address.
Trump will say he'll always pursue peace, but reserves right to use force
President Donald Trump will tell the nation in his speech that he will always endeavor to make peace with foreign nations, but reserves the right to use force, according to excerpts of his speech.
“As President, I will make peace wherever I can—but I will never hesitate to confront threats to America wherever we must,” the president plans to say.
Trump will be speaking amid a massive military buildup around Iran, which the president is pressuring to agree to a diplomatic agreement regarding its nuclear program.
Trump also plans to nod to his efforts in the Western hemisphere, including the mission last month to capture the Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro.
“We are also restoring American security and dominance in the Western Hemisphere—acting to secure our national interests and defend our country from violence, drugs, terrorism, and foreign interference. For years, large swaths of territory in our region, including large parts of Mexico, have been controlled by murderous drug cartels,” the president will say.
Trump will tout "transformation" since he retook office, according to speech excerpts
President Donald Trump will tout a “transformation” since he took office a year ago in his speech tonight, according to excerpts provided by the White House.
“Tonight, after just one year, I can say with dignity and pride that we have achieved a transformation like no one has ever seen before, and a turnaround for the ages. We will never go back to where we were just a short time ago,” the president plans to say, according to the excerpts.
He’ll list accomplishments like lowering prescription drug prices and tackling housing costs in his speech.
“From 1776 to today, every generation of Americans has stepped forward to defend life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness for the next. Now, it is our turn,” the president will say. “Together, we are building a nation where every child has the chance to reach higher and go farther—where government answers to the people, not the powerful—and where the interests of hardworking American Citizens are always our first and ultimate concern.”
Trump will also call for an end to the shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security, which he pins on Democrats in the speech.
Rep. Khanna says Trump should have "humanity and decency" to acknowledge Epstein survivors
Democratic Rep. Ro Khanna, co-author and sponsor of the Epstein Transparency Act, said he hopes President Donald Trump has the “humanity and decency” to acknowledge the survivors of Jeffrey Epstein’s abuse during tonight’s State of the Union address.
Speaking alongside Haley Robson, a survivor of Epstein’s abuse, Khanna said that “dozens” will be present at the Capitol tonight and “he needs to acknowledge them.”
The president should talk about the Epstein Transparency Act and he should talk about the need for investigation and prosecution of the men who abused the girls, he said.
Robson said she’s more skeptical about whether Trump will address survivors tonight.
Survivors of Epstein who are attending tonight’s address hope to draw attention to what they say is the Justice Department’s lack of transparency on the Epstein files by wearing pins which read, ““STAND WITH SURVIVORS, RELEASE THE ________ FILES.”
CNN’s MJ Lee contributed to this report.
Lawmakers have boycotted a president's address in the past. Here's a look
Nearly three dozen Democrats plan to boycott President Donald Trump’s State of the Union address tonight.
However, this is not an unprecedented move.
Here’s a look at other notable boycotts:
- 2025: Several Democrats boycotted the speech for a variety of causes, including firings of federal workers. The speech also featured two separate groups of Democrats walking out.
- 2022: Several Republicans boycotted the address by President Joe Biden due to Covid-19 mandates (like testing) being required to attend. Some of those included Rep. Thomas Massie and then Sen. Marco Rubio.
- 2020: Several House Democrats boycotted the address, including Reps. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Ayanna Pressley, Maxine Waters and Al Green.
- 2019: Several House Democrats boycotted the address.
- 2018: Fourteen House Democrats boycotted the speech in protest over Trump’s policies and actions, including Reps. Waters and Pramila Jayapal.
- 2017: Rep. Waters skipped Trump’s first address to Congress, saying she didn’t “honor” and “respect” the president.
- 2012: Then GOP Rep. Doug Lamborn skipped over President Barack Obama’s policies relating to NLRB recess appointments, Keystone pipeline, and “draconian cuts to defense.”
- 1999: Four Republicans skipped after President Bill Clinton’s impeachment.
- 1998: Then GOP Sen. Larry Craig skipped Clinton’s speech, days after the Monica Lewinsky scandal broke.
- 1971: All 12 Black members of the House skipped after President Richard Nixon refused to meet with the Congressional Black Caucus.
Here's how to watch Trump's SOTU address tonight
President Donald Trump is set to deliver his State of the Union message to a joint session of Congress tonight starting at 9 p.m. ET.
CNN will have live on-air special coverage of Trump’s address as well as the Democratic response by Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger tonight. Special coverage will air live on CNN beginning at 8 p.m. ET, and will continue after the president’s remarks.
The White House’s official website and YouTube page will also stream the president’s live remarks at 9 p.m. ET.
And we’ll continue to bring you the latest news here.
You can also watch CNN’s exclusive voter livecast: CNN’s exclusive voter livecast stream will include Van Jones and Scott Jennings speaking directly to voters in Michigan both before and after President Trump’s State of the Union address. Watch the full livecast here.
