How to Watch Trump’s Address to Joint Session of Congress Tonight

If you’re feeling slightly out of the loop, don’t worry – I’ve got you covered on all the details you need to know about President Donald Trump’s upcoming speech.

Tuesday’s big moment is President Trump’s first major speech during his second term, as he addresses a joint session of Congress. Even though it may look like a State of the Union speech, technically, such speeches aren’t classified as such during a president’s first year in office.

The U.S. Constitution doesn’t specify an exact time for the presidential address to Congress, but it’s usually in January or February. Initially called the “President’s Annual Message to Congress,” it was later renamed the “Annual Message to Congress on the State of the Union” by President Franklin D. Roosevelt.

Trump’s scheduled speech is being eagerly awaited since it is his first big address of the new term. In a social media post on Truth Social, President Trump hinted that it “will be big.”

Scheduled amid the news of tariffs on Mexican and Canadian imports coming into play, the speech also comes when the stock market is showing some jitters over the tariff situation.

So, when and where can you watch President Trump’s speech to Congress? The speech is set to begin at 8 p.m. CT on Tuesday, March 4. It will be broadcast on all major network and cable stations, including NBC and MSNBC, as well as online via Peacock and NBC’s website.

The address will be delivered in the U.S. House Chamber before an assembly that includes members of the U.S. Supreme Court and Trump’s Cabinet. Notably absent will be the “designated survivor,” a cabinet member intentionally kept away from the event to ensure continuity of government in case of a disaster.

After Trump’s speech, Michigan Sen. Elissa Slotkin will give the Democrats’ response, focusing mostly on economic issues. Rep. Adriano Espaillat of New York will follow up with a Spanish-language response. So there you have it – the lowdown on President Trump’s big speech to Congress tonight!