Trump set to deliver State of the Union Address, Sen. Tim Scott discusses possible topics
COLUMBIA, SC (WOLO) — President Donald Trump is set to deliver his 2026 State of the Union Address Tuesday at 9 p.m. — his first address in his second term.
“We have a country that’s now doing well. The greatest economy we’ve ever had. The most activity we’ve ever had…and it’s gonna be a long speech because we have so much to talk about,” says Trump.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters the speech will be a celebration of 250 years of our nation — and our nation’s independence.
“The president is going to make the case that three more years with him in the White House and with Republicans on Capitol Hill, we can finally achieve the American dream in this country again that we had in his first term, but was lost because of Joe Biden and the Democrats over the past four years,” says Leavitt.
The president is also expected to discuss the economy, foreign policy, and tariffs — with Trump recently calling the supreme court’s decision to overturn 70% of his tariffs “ridiculous, dumb, and a very internationally divisive ruling.”
U.S. Senator Tim Scott held a virtual briefing ahead of Tuesday’s address.
“America is back. If there’s something we should take out of the state of the union tonight, it is simply that. America is back,” says Scott.
However, Tuesday’s address comes as the government remains partially shutdown, with the Senate returning to Capitol Hill to vote on reopening government agencies ahead of Trump’s speech.
At least a dozen Democrats are reportedly opting to skip the president’s speech entirely.
Senator Scott defended the president saying, “Gas prices as low as they’ve been in five years. Overall affordability. Prices are no longer climbing, climbing, climbing, and coming down.”
Scott also addressed the possibility of refunds after the Supreme Court struck down 70% of Trump’s tariffs.
“I’m excited to see what happens next but I don’t have any good answers as it relates to refunds or anything else,” says Scott.
The Senator also defended the new ICE office in downtown Columbia, saying, “Never forget why ice is having to enforce the laws of our country. Because we had the greatest invasion over four years, more than 12 million illegal immigrants coming through our southern border and ports of entry.”
Virginia Governor Abigail Spanberger is set to deliver the Democratic response to Trump’s speech, which will air immediately following the State of the Union Address.
You can watch both on ABC starting at 9 p.m. Tuesday night.
