President Donald Trump is scheduled to deliver a joint congressional address on Tuesday night, marking his first speech before Congress since 2020. This address, however, will not be classified as a State of the Union speech. House Speaker Mike Johnson extended the invitation to Trump earlier this year to present his “America First vision for our legislative future.”
The tradition of the State of the Union dates back to George Washington’s address in 1790, where presidents update Congress annually on the country’s status and future plans. While the State of the Union is a constitutionally mandated speech, it did not become a regular tradition until Woodrow Wilson revived it in 1913 to focus on national priorities and legislative plans.
Although Trump’s upcoming speech is not officially labeled as a State of the Union address, it serves a similar purpose. Recent presidents, including Ronald Reagan, George H.W. Bush, Bill Clinton, George W. Bush, Barack Obama, and Joe Biden, have delivered comparable speeches shortly after taking office. Trump’s address is part of this tradition of new presidents delivering unofficial addresses to Congress.
The address is scheduled for Tuesday evening at 9 p.m. ET and will be covered live by various media outlets. This event provides an opportunity for Trump to outline his legislative vision and priorities to the American public.
