What to watch when Trump gives his big speech to Congress

U.S. President Donald Trump is fond of high-profile occasions, and addressing a joint session of Congress is undoubtedly one of them. The House chamber is filled to capacity, with the Sergeant at Arms announcing the President's arrival in a booming voice, triggering enthusiastic applause. This event provides a platform for the President to communicate directly with the nation and set the tone for his administration.

Trump's speech on Tuesday evening (Wednesday lunchtime AEST) 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 little practical difference between the two. The speech serves as a key opportunity for Trump to outline his policy priorities and vision for the country.

In such an event, almost every detail is carefully orchestrated. Here are some aspects to watch out for: The most powerful figures in the U.S. government usually appear on the dais at such events. The Speaker of the House and the Vice President, who also serves as the ceremonial leader of the Senate, sit behind the President as he addresses the nation. Their presence underscores the gravity and importance of the occasion.

However, they are largely overshadowed by Elon Musk. The billionaire entrepreneur is in charge of the government efficiency department and serves as a senior advisor to Trump. Musk's operating model is unprecedented, as he delves deep into federal agencies, leading to thousands of layoffs, which are still ongoing, and reshaping how Washington operates. His involvement signals a significant shift in the approach to government administration.

The President's special guests usually sit in the gallery above the chamber. Will Musk, the world's richest man, be present, or will he be elsewhere? Days earlier, the Oval Office hosted one of the most dramatic meetings in recent memory. Now, U.S. support for Ukraine, which has been resisting Russian invasion for three years, is becoming increasingly uncertain. The presence or absence of key figures like Musk can offer insights into the administration's priorities and alliances.

"Either make a deal, or we pull out," Trump told Zelenskyy. 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 yet. But Tuesday's speech will be a high-profile opportunity for Republican Trump to articulate his vision for the war and his foreign policy approach. The international community will be closely watching for any signals regarding the future of U.S. foreign policy.

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

How will Democrats respond? Sometimes their protests are silent, 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 more assertive, they are likely to become more vocal. Republicans' reactions are more predictable. They are expected to compete to express their support for the President. The level of opposition and support will be a key indicator of the political climate.

Trump has indicated that he wants to push the boundaries 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 border security funding, and cut taxes—a politically sensitive combination at a time when Republicans hold only a slim majority in the House and Senate. The party needs near-total unity to move forward. So far, Trump has followed his typical approach of pitting one side against the other, sometimes supporting the House's plan to craft one massive bill, and other times backing the Senate's strategy of breaking the proposal into multiple bills. Navigating these divisions will be crucial for advancing his agenda.

Don't expect the President to reveal many details—this is generally not the case in such speeches, regardless of who occupies the Oval Office. But Trump may reveal more about his goals or urge lawmakers to speed up their work. Given Trump's influence over the party, any remarks could reshape the debate. His pronouncements will likely set the stage for legislative battles to come.

The President is in his element when delivering impromptu remarks, jumping between topics, which he likes to call "weaving." But that's usually not the way these kinds of speeches go. They are usually carefully scripted, a monologue that Trump might label "boring" if he were watching TV on Truth Social. How long will Trump stick to the teleprompter this time? How much will he deviate from the script? His adherence to or departure from the prepared text will be closely scrutinized.

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, sharing the story of his assassination encounter in Butler, Pennsylvania. But the calls for national unity eventually gave way to the more common grievances of a Trump campaign speech. This pattern suggests a potential for both scripted and unscripted moments in the upcoming address.

Trump's address to Congress is scheduled to begin at 9 p.m. Tuesday (1 p.m. Wednesday AEST). Trump's speech will take place in the U.S. House of Representatives chamber. It is larger than the Senate chamber and can accommodate legislators from both the House and Senate, as well as other officials who are typically invited to such events. The setting itself underscores the significance of the address.

Because there is a response after the State of the Union, the opposing party—in this case, the Democrats—will respond to the address to a joint session of Congress. This year, Michigan Senator Elissa Slotkin, who previously served in the House, will deliver the Democratic response, which will also be televised. Democratic leaders said Slotkin is likely to focus on economic issues in her speech. The party also invited New York Representative Adriano Espaillat, the chairman of the Hispanic Caucus, to deliver a response in Spanish. This dual response highlights the Democrats' priorities and outreach efforts.

Last Saturday, Trump signed an executive order designating English as the official language of the United States, a measure that allows government agencies and organizations receiving federal funding to choose whether to continue providing documents and services in languages other than English. By tradition, the State of the Union is meant to review the past year. Trump only took office on January 20—albeit for a second time—so he is only a little over a month into this term. Instead, newly inaugurated presidents typically use their first address to a joint session of Congress to look ahead and set 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 initial address sets the stage for the administration's legislative priorities.