What to know about Trump’s speech to Congress as he makes defiant 7-word promise ahead of address
Topics: Donald Trump, News, US News, Politics
Lucy Devine
Featured Image Credit: Andrew Harnik/Getty Images
Topics: Donald Trump, News, US News, Politics
President Donald Trump is set to give an address to Congress on Tuesday evening (March 4) marking his first major speech since he was sworn in as president in January.
It's been a rather eventful week for Trump, following his heated meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Friday (February 28).
During the meeting, Trump accused Zelenskyy of 'gambling with WW3' and has since paused aid to Ukraine.
Tuesday's speech is expected to see Trump discuss his key objectives as well as trade tariffs and the situation in Ukraine.
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Here's everything we know so far about the address.
Trump will deliver his speech to Congress on Tuesday evening at 9pm (EST) which means UK viewers will be able to watch at 2am (GMT).
The speech will be televised in the US, with major news outlets likely sharing live streams of the address.
For example, PBS has a stream set up on their YouTube channel which can be viewed in the UK.
The joint address at the beginning of a presidency was first started by Ronald Reagan in 1981 and is a tradition that's been continued ever since.
Fox News has reported that the 'theme' of Trump's speech will be the 'Renewal of the American Dream'.
It is set to have four parts - Trump's accomplishments over the last few weeks since his inauguration; the economy; border security and his ambitions for global peace.
Since he began his second term as president, Trump has set about making a number of significant changes in government, including setting up the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) - of which tech billionaire Elon Musk has been appointed head - making cuts to the federal workforce; implementing tariffs and most recently, halting aid to Ukraine following an explosive meeting with Zelenskyy.
"TOMORROW NIGHT WILL BE BIG. I WILL TELL IT LIKE IT IS," Trump wrote on Truth Social.
Members of the US Supreme Court as well as Trump's Cabinet will also attend the address.
Meanwhile, the Democrats will also respond to the speech with their own message.
Michigan Senator, Elissa Slotkin, will provide the response on behalf of the Democrats.
She is expected to focus on the economy.
Slotkin said on social media: “The public expects leaders to level with them on what’s actually happening in our country. From our economic security to our national security, we’ve got to chart a way forward that actually improves people’s lives in the country we all love, and I’m looking forward to laying that out."
It's expected that Trump will discuss the situation in Ukraine while addressing his plans for peace.
Earlier this week, it was announced that Trump had halted aid to Ukraine.
Following the move, Zelenskyy shared a statement on X, explaining: "I would like to reiterate Ukraine’s commitment to peace.
"None of us wants an endless war. Ukraine is ready to come to the negotiating table as soon as possible to bring lasting peace closer. Nobody wants peace more than Ukrainians. My team and I stand ready to work under President Trump’s strong leadership to get a peace that lasts.
"We are ready to work fast to end the war, and the first stages could be the release of prisoners and truce in the sky — ban on missiles, long-ranged drones, bombs on energy and other civilian infrastructure — and truce in the sea immediately, if Russia will do the same. Then we want to move very fast through all next stages and to work with the US to agree a strong final deal."