President Trump will address Congress as his approval dips over the economy and tensions with Iran escalate, setting the stage for a pivotal midterm election year.
WASHINGTON: President Donald Trump will deliver his State of the Union address to Congress on Tuesday at a politically precarious moment for his administration.
His approval ratings have slumped amid voter anxiety over the cost of living as the November midterm elections approach. The televised prime-time speech offers Trump a critical chance to persuade voters to keep Republicans in power.
He faces stiff political headwinds both at home and abroad. The appearance follows a turbulent period marked by a Supreme Court decision invalidating his global tariff regime.
New data also shows the economy slowed more than expected while inflation accelerated. Trump is expected to argue the Supreme Court erred on tariffs and outline alternative laws to reconstitute most of the levies.
The president reacted with fury to the ruling last week, targeting several justices with personal attacks. A repeat performance could create awkward moments with some justices expected to attend.
Meanwhile, Trump appears to be inching closer to a potential military conflict with Iran over its nuclear program. U.S. officials say he has moved warships to the Middle East and developed plans that could include a change of government.
Tuesday’s speech could offer Trump his first chance to mount a public case for military intervention. Two White House officials, speaking anonymously, said Trump will discuss his plans for Iran but did not offer details.
He will also tout his record of brokering peace deals. The speech falls on the fourth anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, a war he once said he could end “in 24 hours” but has yet to resolve.
White House aides have urged Trump to focus on Americans’ economic worries. His 2024 victory was based largely on promises to ease the cost of living, but polls show voters remain unconvinced.
The officials said Trump will “claim victory on the economy” and argue he inherited a poor situation from Democratic predecessor Joe Biden. He will point to stock market gains, private-sector investments, and his tax cut legislation as evidence of success.
Trump will also tout his tough border policies and deportation campaign. Polls show most Americans believe his administration has gone too far in rounding up undocumented immigrants.
“This is the one opportunity the president has where the whole world is looking at what he has to say,” said Republican strategist Amanda Makki. She added it is his chance to summarize his achievements without going off script.
Trump said on Monday his address would be lengthy. His 100-minute speech last March was the longest presidential address to Congress in modern history.
White House officials said this year’s edition was crafted with room for unscripted moments. “We are planning around it,” one official said.
More than 20 Democratic lawmakers plan to skip the speech altogether in favor of an outdoor rally. Senator Jeff Merkley said the event would offer a more “honest description” of Trump’s record than the “propaganda push” of the speech.
Virginia Governor Abby Spanberger will deliver the official Democratic response. Senator Alex Padilla will give the Spanish-language rebuttal.
The Sun Malaysia
