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President Donald Trump is scheduled to deliver a joint address to Congress on Tuesday evening, the first major speech of his second term as his administration continues to make drastic changes to the federal government and the global order.
The speech begins at 9 p.m. ET and will air live on MSNBC, MSNBC.com, and MSNBC's YouTube channel.
MSNBC hosts Jen Psaki and Ari Melber will lead coverage beginning at 6 p.m. ET. They will be joined by hosts Rachel Maddow, Lawrence O’Donnell, Nicolle Wallace, Chris Hayes and Stephanie Ruhle at 8 p.m. ET. Readers can also follow our live blog at MSNBC.com for updates and analysis in real time.
As this speech to Congress is happening so soon after taking office, it is not formally a State of the Union address. As The Associated Press notes, “By tradition, a State of the Union address is intended as a look back on the prior year.”
After the address, Sen. Elissa Slotkin of Michigan will deliver the Democrats’ rebuttal to Trump’s speech. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., said in a statement that the freshman senator from Michigan “will offer a bold vision of hope, unity, and a brighter future for everyone, not just the wealthy few at the top.”