President Trump’s upcoming address before a joint session of Congress, though resembling a State of the Union speech in style and tone, is technically not classified as such due to historical traditions. The practice of delivering an oral address to Congress was revived by President Woodrow Wilson in 1913, following early Presidents who sent written reports as formal letters. The term “State of the Union Address” was popularized by Franklin D. Roosevelt and officially adopted in 1947. The timing of the address shifted to the beginning of the year in 1934, raising questions about delivery responsibility in inauguration years. Subsequent Presidents, including Reagan, Bushes, Clinton, Obama, Trump, and Biden, have delivered speeches to Congress not labeled as State of the Union addresses, yet still exerting significant influence on public perception of presidential leadership.

For Trump, the upcoming speech presents an opportunity to reflect on the initial weeks of his second term, which have brought significant changes to Washington and global dynamics, and to outline his future agenda. Trump’s post on Truth Social hints at an assertive and impactful address, promising to “tell it like it is.” Despite the technical distinctions, the impact of such speeches on public, media, and congressional perceptions of presidential leadership remains substantial. The address serves as a platform for Trump to communicate his vision for the future and address key issues shaping his administration’s direction.