Donald Trump aims to justify his immigration crackdowns and his widespread tariffs during his State of the Union address tonight.
The US president has a low poll rating domestically and in his speech in the joint session of Congress he will try to highlight achievements and emphasise his ability to direct quick-hit military actions around the world, including in Iran and Venezuela.
A main theme will be to claim that the US is booming with a rise in domestic manufacturing and new jobs, despite many Americans not feeling that way ahead of the midterm elections in November.
US hockey team members meet Trump in the Oval Office
“I recognize every one of you. I know every one of you,” Trump said as the US hockey players entered the Oval Office.
Trump stood by his desk and shook hands with the players as each one approached. They wore dark long-sleeved tops with “USA,” the American flag and the Olympic rings on the front and light colored pants.
“Big guys,” he observed. Their gold medals hung around their necks.
The teammates posed for a photograph on the South Lawn and also took in the collection of presidential portraits Trump installed along a walkway between the White House residence and the West Wing.
And no, we’re not tired of winning yet. pic.twitter.com/mrKYmBvGPN
— The White House (@WhiteHouse) February 24, 2026
Trump must spell out US ‘goals’ in Iran, says Democrat senator
Following a classified briefing with Secretary of State Marco Rubio and CIA Director John Ratcliffe, Senator Mark Warner, the top Democrat on the Senate Intelligence Committee, called the escalating tensions with Iran “an extraordinarily serious time.”
Warner said Trump should “make the case what our country’s goals are, what our country’s interests are and how we’re going to protect American interests in the region.”
Epstein victim wants ‘every single file’ released
Speaking at a news conference with Senate Democrats, Dani Bensky said she and other Epstein victims want the Department of Justice to release “every single file,” to investigate those “who caused harm to so many victims” and to properly redact their information when files are released.
Bensky has said she was sexually abused by Epstein two decades ago. She said that she felt victimized again when her information was exposed in a recent release of Epstein’s case files.
Mr Schumer said “the American people deserve the truth and survivors deserve accountability.”
Charlie Kirk’s widow will be one of Trump’s guests
White House spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt says that Charlie Kirk’s widow will be one of the president’s guests.
“The president will call on Congress to ‘firmly reject political violence against our fellow citizens’ with Charlie Kirk’s widow in the chamber,” Ms Leavitt posted.
Trump spoke at Kirk’s Arizona memorial service, where Erika Kirk said she forgave her husband’s assassin “because it was what Christ did. And is what Charlie would do.”
The president said during the service that he held a different view: “That’s where I disagreed with Charlie. I hate my opponent, and I don’t want the best for them. I’m sorry. I am sorry, Erika.”
Epstein survivor and mum of ICE-detained teen invited to Trump address
The Senate Democratic leader is bringing Dani Bensky, an outspoken victim of Jeffrey Epstein’s abuse, as well as Raiza Contreras, the mum of a New York student who has been detained by immigration enforcement agents.
Chuck Schumer’s guests showed how Democrats are trying to confront Trump with the people who are affected by his aggressive crackdown on illegal immigration, as well as his administration’s handling of the release of case files on Epstein.
“No mother should have to go through what Raiza is experiencing right now — being unjustly separated from her son. Dylan followed the rules. He entered through a legal process, obtained permission to work to support his family, enrolled in school, and showed up to court as required,” said Mr Schumer. “Instead, ICE ripped their family apart.”
Epstein survivors to attend State of the Union address
Survivors of Jeffrey Epstein are attending Donald Trump’s State of the Union address.
House representative Ro Khanna, one of the authors of the Epstein Transparency Act, a law that prompted the release of millions of files related to the late sex offender. is among the Democrats to have invited the victims to listen to the speech.
He is bringing Haley Robson who said Epstein trafficked her starting when she was 16.
“Haley’s courageous fight is proof that this isn’t about politics, it’s about exposing America’s two-tiered system of justice and bringing accountability to the Epstein class involved in the horrific abuse of young girls,” Mr Khanna said.
“She and her fellow survivors’ bravery was the catalyst for changing a rotten system, and finally standing up for humanity and American values.”
What is the State of the Union address?
The State of the Union address is an annual speech delivered by the President of the United States to a joint session of Congress.
It serves as a report on the current condition of the country and a platform for the President to outline their legislative agenda and national priorities for the upcoming year.
US public unhappy about economy and immigration
Trump swept back into the White House on promises to bring down prices and restore order to immigration in America but on both issues, public sentiment has turned against him.
Only 39% of US adults approve of his economic leadership and just 38% support him on immigration, according to the latest Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research survey.
Those low numbers show the US is still fretting about the costs of food, housing and utilities, a problem compounded by Trump’s whipsawing use of tariffs. They also show how the public was disturbed by videos of violent clashes with protesters, including two US citizens killed by federal agents.
How to watch the State of the Union address
Donald Trump’s State of the Union address on Tuesday is likely to be a test run of the message Republicans will give to voters in November’s elections for control of the House and the Senate.
People in the UK can watch it live on the BBC and it will also be streamed live on the Mirror website.
When is Trump’s State of the Union address
Donald Trump is set to give his State of the Union address at 9pm local time or 2pm in the UK on Tuesday.
It is held in the House of Representatives chamber in the US Capitol building in Washington DC with the President speaking to a joint session of Congress.