After a delay due to the record-long government shutdown, Donald Trump will get to deliver his State of the Union address tonight (Feb. 5).
The president, whose approval ratings took a hit from the 35-day shutdown, will likely try to regain his supporters’ confidence. Trump’s remarks will be optimistic and focused on unity, according to the White House. That would be a departure from the president’s usual confrontational tone. The speech’s themes, however, will likely to be a replay of the same issues Trump has been hammering on since he was elected.
Expect the wall he wants to build along the border with Mexico—and the $5.7 billion he wants to fund it—to make an appearance. Also likely on the agenda: the US’s trade relationships around the world, in particular with China, and how to protect American workers.
He’s also expected to speak out against abortion, and promise to end AIDS transmissions by 2030.
The speech beings at 9pm EST, and will be aired on major television networks and cable channels. You can watch live here:
The president, whose approval ratings took a hit from the 35-day shutdown, will likely try to regain his supporters’ confidence. Trump’s remarks will be optimistic and focused on unity, according to the White House. That would be a departure from the president’s usual confrontational tone. The speech’s themes, however, will likely to be a replay of the same issues Trump has been hammering on since he was elected.
Expect the wall he wants to build along the border with Mexico—and the $5.7 billion he wants to fund it—to make an appearance. Also likely on the agenda: the US’s trade relationships around the world, in particular with China, and how to protect American workers.
He’s also expected to speak out against abortion, and promise to end AIDS transmissions by 2030.
The address was originally planned for Jan. 29, but got pushed back after House speaker Nancy Pelosi disinvited Trump from the venue, the House of Representatives, due to the shutdown.
Where to watch on TV
Where to watch online
Where to watch In Spanish
What to expect from Democrats
Democrats will respond to Trump’s comments immediately after the State of the Union. Stacey Abrams, Georgia’s former gubernatorial candidate, will deliver the rebuttal in English, while California attorney general Xavier Becerra will answer Trump in Spanish. Beforehand, at 7:45pm EST, senator Kamala Harris, who has declared herself a Democratic presidential candidate for 2020, will deliver commentary on Facebook Live.
Unlike Trump, they’re promising neither unity nor optimism.