What to watch when Trump gives his big speech to Congress

U.S. President Donald Trump has always enjoyed high-profile spectacles, and addressing a joint session of Congress is undoubtedly one of them. The House chamber was packed with lawmakers, and the Sergeant at Arms announced the President's arrival in a booming voice, eliciting enthusiastic applause. This grand entrance underscores the significance of the event and sets the stage for the address.

Trump's speech on Tuesday evening (Wednesday lunchtime AEDT) is not technically considered a State of the Union address, which is usually delivered later in his term. However, for viewers watching at home, there is no discernible difference between the two. Both serve as platforms for the President to communicate his agenda and vision to the nation.

In such an occasion, almost every detail is meticulously planned. Here are some aspects worth paying attention to: These details offer insights into the power dynamics and potential messages embedded within the event.

The most powerful people in the U.S. government typically appear on the dais at such events. As the President addresses the nation, the Speaker of the House and the Vice President, who also serves as the ceremonial leader of the Senate, sit behind him. However, they were largely overshadowed by Elon Musk, the billionaire entrepreneur who heads the government efficiency department and serves as a senior advisor to Trump. Musk's unprecedented operating style, delving deep into federal agencies, has led to the dismissal of thousands and is reshaping how Washington operates. His presence highlights the administration's focus on efficiency and innovation.

Invited guests of the President typically sit in the gallery above the chamber. Whether Musk, as the world's richest man, will be present there or elsewhere is worth noting. His seating arrangement could signal his level of influence and access within the administration.

It has been only a few days since the most dramatic meeting in the Oval Office in recent memory. Currently, the prospects for U.S. support for Ukraine, which has been resisting Russia's invasion for three years, are increasingly uncertain. "Either make a deal, or we pull out," Trump told Zelenskyy. This ultimatum casts a shadow over the future of U.S.-Ukraine relations.

Will Russia try to expand its advantage on the battlefield? Will Zelenskyy mend fences with Trump? Will the fragile relationship between the U.S. and its European allies deteriorate further? There are no clear answers at this time. But Tuesday's speech will be an important opportunity for Republican Trump to articulate his vision for the war and his foreign policy approach. This address offers a crucial platform for clarifying his stance on these critical issues.

Presidential addresses to Congress have become increasingly raucous. In 2009, South Carolina Republican Congressman Joe Wilson shouted "You lie!" at then-President Barack Obama during his address to Congress. Etiquette has not improved much since then. Former President Joe Biden also clashed with Republicans, and Trump is known for deviating from prepared remarks and attempting to provoke his opponents. This trend reflects the increasing polarization of American politics.

How will Democrats respond? Sometimes their protests are quiet, for example, women wearing white clothing symbolizing women's suffrage at previous events. But at a time when Democratic voters are eager for their representatives to be tougher, they may become more outspoken. Republicans' reactions are more predictable. They are expected to compete to embrace the President, trying to outdo each other. These contrasting reactions highlight the deep partisan divisions within Congress.

Trump has indicated that he wants to challenge the limits of presidential power in a second term, but there are some things he still needs Congress's help to accomplish. The President wants to cut spending, secure funding for border security, and cut taxes, a politically sensitive combination given the Republican's slim majority in the House and Senate. The party needs near-total unity to make progress. Achieving these goals will require navigating complex political dynamics.

So far, Trump has followed his typical approach of playing one side against the other, sometimes supporting the House's plan to craft a massive piece of legislation, sometimes supporting the Senate's strategy of breaking up proposals into multiple bills. Do not expect the President to provide many details, which typically does not happen in such speeches, regardless of who occupies the Oval Office. But Trump may reveal more about his goals or urge lawmakers to expedite their work. Given Trump's strong influence over the party, any remarks could reshape the debate. His words carry significant weight in shaping the legislative agenda.

The President is in his element when delivering impromptu remarks, jumping from one topic to another in what he likes to call "weaving." But that is not usually the way these kinds of speeches are delivered. They are typically carefully scripted, the kind of monologue that Trump, if he were watching it on television, might label "boring" on Truth Social. The contrast between scripted speeches and Trump's preferred style underscores his unconventional approach to politics.

To what extent will Trump stick to the teleprompter this time? And how much will he veer off course? One clue may be Trump's speech at the Republican National Convention last summer, when he accepted the party's presidential nomination. He started out restrained, even somber, recounting his story of being assassinated in Butler, Pennsylvania. But calls for national unity eventually gave way to the grievances that permeated a more typical Trump campaign speech. This past performance offers insights into his potential behavior during the upcoming address.

Trump's address to Congress is scheduled to begin at 9 p.m. Tuesday (1 p.m. Wednesday AEDT). The timing of the speech ensures maximum viewership and media coverage.

Trump's speech will be held in the U.S. House of Representatives chamber. It is larger than the Senate chamber and can accommodate members of both the House and Senate, as well as other officials who are typically invited to such events. The venue underscores the importance of the address to the entire legislative branch.

As with State of the Union addresses, the opposing party (in this case, the Democratic Party) will respond to the joint session of Congress address. This year, Michigan Senator Elissa Slotkin will deliver the Democratic response, which will also be televised. Democratic leaders have indicated that Slotkin is likely to focus on economic issues in her remarks. The party has also appointed New York Representative Adriano Espaillat, the chair of the Hispanic Caucus, to deliver a response in Spanish. These responses provide alternative perspectives and policy proposals.

Trump signed an executive order on Saturday designating English as the official language of the United States, a measure that allows government agencies and organizations that receive federal funding to choose whether to continue providing documents and services in languages other than English. This policy reflects a focus on national unity and assimilation.

Traditionally, the State of the Union address is meant to review the past year. Trump just took office on January 20, although it is his second time in office, so he has only been in office for a little over a month this time. Instead, newly inaugurated presidents typically use their first joint session of Congress address to look to the future, setting the tone for their legislative agenda. According to the Congressional Research Service, the average number of policy requests in first-year speeches is 42. This inaugural address will likely focus on future goals and priorities.