- Strong focus on working families’ finances
- Tax cuts and drug price reforms outlined
- Tariff policy defended after court setback
- Real-life families featured during address
Trump State Union: President Donald Trump will address Congress from the U.S. Capitol on Tuesday night at 9 p.m. (EST). This time his State of the Union speech is expected to center on a broad economic vision and the affordability of working families. According to information received by Fox News Digital, the President is preparing to explain in his address, with data-based arguments, how his policies have affected ordinary Americans. At the same time, some new economic policies may also be announced.
The State of the Union is traditionally a constitutional platform of dialogue between the President and Congress, but it is also a politically important occasion. The President uses this platform to list the achievements of the past year and to set the policy direction for the coming year.
Impact on the pocket and everyday life
According to White House officials, the 2026 address will present a roadmap for the future, but special emphasis will remain on steps taken regarding the cost of living. The administration claims that after the high inflation rates during the Biden period, improvement is visible in economic indicators. In his speech, the President may cite figures to present these claims and will present as guests those families who have benefited from his policies.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told Fox News Digital that the address will mention 250 years of America’s freedom and excellence and will bring forward the stories of American heroes. According to her, the President will claim to have brought the country back from the “brink of disaster” within one year of his term and will give details of the administration’s achievements.
Leavitt also indicated that the President will present an ambitious policy agenda aimed at increasing opportunities for working people.
Taxes, medicines and homes – which issues will be emphasized?
According to sources, Trump will highlight tax cuts, reduction in drug prices and efforts to increase families’ ability to buy homes under his so-called “big, beautiful bill.” During the speech, some unannounced economic initiatives may also be declared. The economy remains among the top concerns of voters at present, especially before the November elections for the new Congress. The Democratic Party’s 2025 election strategy was also centered on economic issues.
What is Trump’s economic thinking in the second term?
In the first year of his second administration, Trump has emphasized tariff policy for trade balance. At the same time, steps have been taken to increase production in the oil, coal and natural gas sectors, reduce drug costs on consumers and promote domestic manufacturing. The President has been presenting these initiatives as the beginning of a “golden age” for America.
How were drug prices reduced?
In Tuesday’s address, the President may mention his recent initiative TrumpRx.gov regarding drug prices. It is a government portal whose purpose is to provide consumers access to lower-cost prescription drugs being offered by manufacturers. This initiative is also linked to the policy called “most favored nation” pricing. Under this, efforts are being made to link drug prices in the United States to rates set in other wealthy countries.
A White House official said that some guests associated with this initiative have also been invited. These include Katherine Rayner of Norfolk, Virginia, who has been going through reproductive complications and the in vitro fertilization process for the past five years. When the portal was launched in early February, she became its first patient. According to sources, under the program her spending on fertility treatment drugs fell from about $4,000 to around $500.
Target on special interest groups, talk of ordinary people
In the President’s speech, there is also a possibility of a glimpse of his familiar populist style. An official said that Trump may criticize special interest groups, whom he has repeatedly accused of leaving working Americans behind.
At the same time, he will try to explain how the policies of the big, beautiful bill have given direct benefit to ordinary citizens.
This bill became law on Independence Day in July 2025. It includes provisions such as border security, increase in defense spending and “no tax on Social Security.”
Why will stories of ordinary families be shown?
The President has also invited Megan Hemhauser of Pennsylvania. She homeschools her two children during the day and works as a waitress in the evening. According to sources, her family’s income has increased by about $5,000, which is being attributed to policies such as “no tax on tips” and “no tax on overtime.” Her husband is a heavy machinery operator.
Setback from the court on tariffs, what next?
This speech is coming at a time when the Supreme Court has recently dealt a blow to Trump’s broad tariff policy. The court invalidated tariffs imposed on most trading partner countries under an emergency law. Tariffs have been an important part of Trump’s economic strategy. The President has argued that it is necessary to establish balance with countries that have harmed America for decades through “unfair” trade policies, while also promoting domestic manufacturing.
After the court’s decision, Trump implemented a 10 percent global tariff on foreign nations under Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974, which was later increased to 15 percent. He wrote on the social media platform Truth Social that the administration is working toward “legally permissible new tariffs.”
Will there be attention on global developments as well?
Although the main emphasis will remain on domestic economic policies, reference to global developments is also possible in the speech. The growing tensions between America and Iran and Russia’s ongoing war in Ukraine may be mentioned.
What will the opposition do?
In the past 13 months, Democrats have criticized Trump’s domestic and foreign policies. Former Speaker Nancy Pelosi tore a copy of the President’s speech during the 2020 address, while in 2025 Texas Representative Al Green registered protest during the joint address and was asked to leave the chamber.
This time too, the possibility of protest by the opposition is being expressed. However, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries has appealed to colleagues to maintain restraint and to limit formal protests. In early February he had said that Democrats have the option either to register silent protest or to participate in alternative programs organized outside the Capitol complex.
