State of the Union 2026: Date, Time, and Everything to Know About Tonight's Address
Tonight is the night. President Donald Trump will deliver the 2026 State of the Union address before a joint session of Congress on Tuesday, February 24, 2026, marking his first State of the Union of his second term. Here is everything you need to know about the State of the Union 2026 date, time, how to watch, and what to expect.
State of the Union 2026 Date and Time: When Does It Start?
The single most searched question tonight has a clear answer:
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Date | Tuesday, February 24, 2026 |
| Speech Start Time | 9:00 p.m. ET |
| Pre-show Coverage Begins | 6:00 p.m. ET (PBS) / 8:50 p.m. ET (Fox News) |
| Location | U.S. Capitol, House Chamber, Washington, D.C. |
| Expected End Time | ~11:00 p.m. ET |
The State of the Union 2026 speech is set to begin at 9 p.m. ET on Tuesday, February 24. Pre-show coverage kicks off as early as 6 p.m. ET on PBS, with most major networks going live closer to 8:30–9 p.m. ET.
How to Watch the State of the Union 2026 Live
The State of the Union address 2026 will air live across virtually every major broadcast and cable network. Viewers have no shortage of options:
- TV: ABC, NBC, CBS, CNN, Fox News, C-SPAN, MSNBC, PBS
- Streaming: White House YouTube, Fox Nation, Fox One App, PBS NewsHour livestream, C-SPAN online
- Radio: NPR live coverage begins at 9 p.m. ET
What Trump Is Expected to Say Tonight
The 2026 State of the Union comes at a complex political moment for the Trump administration. The president is widely expected to highlight administration accomplishments on immigration, deregulation, and foreign policy — including claiming credit for ending several global conflicts. Key topics analysts expect Trump to address include:
- The partial government shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security, triggered by a Democratic standoff over immigration enforcement
- The Supreme Court's recent ruling striking down his broad tariff powers — a significant blow to his economic agenda
- Tensions with Iran and U.S. posture on the world stage
- Affordability and cost of living, with midterm elections looming in November 2026
- The 250th anniversary of American independence, expected to be a patriotic centerpiece of the speech
Democratic Response: Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger
Immediately following the State of the Union address, Virginia Governor Abigail Spanberger will deliver the official Democratic response. Spanberger, who became Virginia's first female governor after a double-digit victory last November, is a vocal Trump critic. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said her remarks will focus on lowering everyday costs, protecting healthcare, and defending personal freedoms. California Sen. Alex Padilla will deliver the Spanish-language Democratic response.
Democrats Divided on Attending the State of the Union
Not all Democrats will be in the chamber for the 2026 State of the Union. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries instructed Democratic members to either attend with "silent defiance" or skip entirely. Dozens are expected to bypass the speech in favor of counterprogramming events, including a MoveOn.org rally on the National Mall. A separate "State of the Swamp" rebuttal event at the National Press Club begins at 7 p.m. ET, featuring Democratic lawmakers and public figures.
What Tonight Means Politically
The State of the Union 2026 arrives with November's midterm elections squarely in view. Control of the House and Senate is on the line, and the State of the Union address is one of Trump's single biggest opportunities to frame his party's message to voters. With polls showing softening public approval on the economy, tonight's speech is as much a political rally cry as it is a constitutional address to Congress.
Tune in tonight at 9 p.m. ET for the full State of the Union 2026 address — live on every major network.
