Trump's pivotal union address: Reshaping policies and alliances
During the night from Tuesday to Wednesday (at 9 PM Eastern Time), Donald Trump will deliver a State of the Union address to Congress. Media and experts suggest that the Republican will discuss topics such as tariffs, changes in government agencies, and Ukraine. He is also expected to present his plan for the next four years.
Donald Trump will deliver a State of the Union address to Congress for the first time since returning to the White House. However, as noted by Axios, during the first year of a president's term, the address is not officially called a State of the Union, although it serves the same purpose.
The media highlight several key issues the president might address. "During the first six weeks, Trump initiated a review of the federal government, driven by DOGE, dismantled USAID, and decided to close the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau," the report states.
Axios emphasizes that the speech takes place just days after a dispute at the White House among Trump, J.D. Vance, and Volodymyr Zelensky. During his first term, Trump's addresses lasted an average of 80 minutes.
"Important moment"
Americanist Rafał Michalski highlights on the platform X that the address "takes place at an important moment." The Trump administration has just announced it is halting military aid to Ukraine. In his opinion, the White House is not informing Republicans in Congress about its plans concerning the Russian invasion.
An expert on American law and politics also noted that during the first trade war, the tariffs were not "universally well-received by Americans (and by Republican politicians themselves, especially from New England)."
Today's speech will be significant, as for the first time, the president will clearly "explain himself" to Congress, Michalski believes.
ABC Television notes that during the initial weeks of his presidency, Trump sought to significantly alter institutions by removing long-standing officials and placing trusted allies in key government positions, including some traditionally nonpartisan roles. Furthermore, reports indicate that he weakened Congress’s authority by blocking funding for programs he opposes, with the reductions overseen by the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), headed by his close associate Elon Musk.
