President Donald Trump is set to deliver his annual State of the Union address to a joint session of Congress on Wednesday, February 25, 2026, at 3 p.m. EST, with a live stream available on 1News.co.nz. The speech is anticipated to focus heavily on the administration’s key policy priorities, including continued immigration enforcement, reductions in federal spending, and the preservation of tariffs despite a recent Supreme Court ruling.
According to previews of the address, Trump will likely defend his administration’s approach to immigration, which has involved increased border security measures and stricter enforcement of existing laws. He is too expected to reiterate his commitment to reducing the size and scope of the federal government, a long-standing goal of his presidency. A significant portion of the speech is expected to address the Supreme Court’s recent decision regarding tariffs, with the President outlining his plans to maintain these trade barriers, despite the court’s ruling.
The address comes as the administration continues to navigate complex foreign policy challenges, particularly in the Middle East and Latin America. Trump is expected to highlight his administration’s assertive foreign policy, citing recent military actions in Iran and Venezuela as examples of his commitment to protecting American interests abroad. Details of these actions were not immediately available, but the President is expected to frame them as decisive responses to perceived threats.
The New York Times is providing live updates and analysis of the speech, even as NPR is offering a fact-check of the President’s claims. CNN will also provide takeaways from the address following its delivery. The length of the speech is already notable, with reports indicating it will be the longest State of the Union address in recent history, according to the BBC.
As of Wednesday afternoon, the White House had not released the full text of the speech, and it remains unclear how Trump will address specific criticisms of his policies. The administration has remained silent on potential compromises with Congress regarding the tariff issue, leaving the future of these trade barriers uncertain.
