President Donald Trump is scheduled to address a joint session of Congress this week, marking his first speech since returning to the White House. This will be his inaugural address of the second term, where he will provide an update on his accomplishments and plans moving forward. While the event is set for Tuesday night, it is important to note that it will not be classified as a State of the Union address.
The tradition of the State of the Union, an annual speech delivered by the president to Congress, dates back to Woodrow Wilson in 1913. However, the practice of giving such a speech was interrupted after Thomas Jefferson opted for a written report instead of an oral address. Throughout history, most State of the Union speeches have been delivered verbally, with some exceptions being presented in written form.
Given that President Trump has been in office for less than two months, his upcoming speech is not officially designated as a State of the Union address. Similar situations have occurred with previous presidents, such as Ronald Reagan, George H.W. Bush, Bill Clinton, George W. Bush, and Barack Obama, who delivered speeches with similar purposes shortly after their inaugurations.
In summary, while President Trump’s upcoming speech to Congress may resemble a State of the Union address in content, it will not be officially recognized as such due to the timing of his inauguration.
President Trump, a member of the Republican party, is scheduled to address Congress on Tuesday at 9 p.m. Eastern Time. This announcement comes amidst anticipation and speculation regarding the content and tone of his speech. Various prominent media outlets, such as USA TODAY, ABC, Fox News, NPR, and PBS, have disclosed their plans to provide live coverage of the event, ensuring that viewers across the nation will have access to the address. In preparation for this significant occasion, Fernando Cervantes Jr. has contributed to the coverage of this event. For in-depth reporting and analysis on this matter, Natalie Neysa Alund, a seasoned senior reporter for USA TODAY, can be reached at nalund@usatoday.com. Stay updated on the latest developments by following her on Twitter @nataliealund. Published originally on USA TODAY, this article sheds light on the upcoming speech by President Trump and offers insights on what to expect during this address to Congress.
