President Donald Trump’s official White House schedule has now been finalized ahead of what is expected to be one of the most consequential addresses of his second term in office.
According to the White House official website, President Trump will deliver his 2026 State of the Union Address to a joint session of Congress today, Tuesday, February 24, 2026, at 9:00 PM Eastern Time inside the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C.
The prime-time address marks President Trump’s first State of the Union of his second term and will be delivered before the 119th Congress, with Vice President JD Vance presiding over the Senate in his constitutional role and House Speaker Mike Johnson overseeing the joint session.
As is customary, the nationally televised speech will serve as the President’s opportunity to lay out his administration’s legislative priorities, outline the current condition of the nation, and present his policy roadmap for the year ahead — including expected updates on:
- Border security and immigration enforcement
- Economic growth initiatives
- Inflation and cost-of-living relief
- Military readiness and national defense
- America’s standing on the global stage
According to Roll Call, President Trump will participate in the Annual State of the Union Luncheon at 12:30 p.m. in the Blue Room of the White House.
According to reports, approximately 50 Democrat lawmakers are expected to skip the state address. While most top leadership, including Hakeem Jeffries and Chuck Schumer, plan to attend, dozens of others have joined organized boycotts or counter-programming events like the “People’s State of the Union” rally on the National Mall (organized by MoveOn and MeidasTouch), and the “State of the Swamp” event.
Verified Senators (all skipping in-person attendance)
- Adam Schiff (CA): Attending the People’s State of the Union rally.
- Chris Murphy (CT): Attending the People’s State of the Union rally.
- Chris Van Hollen (MD): Attending the People’s State of the Union rally.
- Ed Markey (MA): Attending the People’s State of the Union rally.
- Jeff Merkley (OR): Attending the People’s State of the Union rally.
- Patty Murray (WA): Delivering her own separate livestreamed address to Washington state.
- Ron Wyden (OR): Participating in the “State of the Swamp” counter-event.
- Ruben Gallego (AZ): Staying in Arizona (not traveling to D.C.).
- Tina Smith (MN): Attending the People’s State of the Union rally.
- Angus King, I-Maine
Verified Representatives (all skipping in-person attendance)
- Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (NY): Opting out (has said she refuses to “legitimize” Trump with her presence).
- Ami Bera (CA): Opting out (no specific alternative listed in some reports, but confirmed skipping).
- Becca Balint (VT): Attending the People’s State of the Union rally.
- Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ): Attending the People’s State of the Union rally.
- Chellie Pingree (ME)
- Dan Goldman (NY): Participating in the “State of the Swamp” counter-event.
- Delia Ramirez (IL): Attending the People’s State of the Union rally (one of several Illinois Democrats boycotting).
- Diana DeGette (CO): Explicitly skipping; stated she will not “legitimize his egregious actions.”
- Dina Titus (NV): Skipping but plans to watch from her office.
- Eric Swalwell (CA): Participating in the “State of the Swamp” counter-event.
- Greg Casar (TX): Attending the People’s State of the Union rally.
- Jan Schakowsky (IL): Boycotting (one of several Illinois Democrats; cited constituent concerns and calls to skip).
- Jared Golden (ME): Will watch from home in Maine
- Pramila Jayapal (WA): Attending the People’s State of the Union rally.
- Seth Moulton (MA): Participating in the “State of the Swamp” counter-event.
- Veronica Escobar (TX): Attending the People’s State of the Union rally.
- Yassamin Ansari (AZ): Attending the People’s State of the Union rally.
