Trump’s children to accompany him during his address
According to two high-ranking officials from the administration, four of the president’s children will be present with him in the motorcade and at the Capitol for his address to Congress. However, Barron Trump, who is currently enrolled in college in New York, will not be in attendance.
Traveling with the president in the motorcade will be:
- Donald Trump Jr. along with his girlfriend, Bettina Anderson
- Eric Trump and his wife, Lara Trump
- Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner
- Tiffany Trump and her husband, Michael Boulos
Understanding why this address isn’t a “State of the Union”
The Constitution mandates that the president must, “from time to time,” provide a report on the “State of the Union” to Congress. This address is usually scheduled for January or February, allowing the president to highlight achievements from the past year and outline the agenda for the upcoming months.
Given that Mr. Trump has been in office for just over six weeks, his address is technically not classified as a State of the Union. Instead, it is referred to as a joint address to Congress. Nonetheless, the presentation will closely resemble a traditional State of the Union address, with the president speaking to lawmakers from the House chamber, flanked by Speaker Mike Johnson and Vice President JD Vance.
During the address, Mr. Trump is expected to share what he considers to be his key accomplishments thus far, along with his views on the economy, immigration, and foreign policy.
Michigan Senator Elissa Slotkin set to deliver the Democratic response
Democratic leaders have selected Sen. Elissa Slotkin, the recently appointed U.S. senator from Michigan, to articulate the party’s response. It is customary for a member of the opposing party to follow the president, and this role is often bestowed upon someone the party seeks to introduce to the national audience.
This task might seem straightforward, but even small mistakes, like when then-Sen. Marco Rubio took a sip from a water bottle in 2013, or when Rep. Joe Kennedy had an oddly glistening upper lip in 2018, can quickly become the topic of joking.
At 48 years old, Slotkin secured her position by defeating former GOP Rep. Mike Rogers in a state that turned red for Mr. Trump in 2024. The Democratic party is actively analyzing the 2024 election and strategizing its path forward after losing control of the House, Senate, and White House to the Republicans.
Prior to her Senate role, Slotkin spent six years as a U.S. congresswoman for Michigan’s 7th Congressional District.
A former CIA analyst with military experience in Iraq, she has worked under both major political parties. Slotkin served on President George W. Bush’s National Security Council and in the State Department during Barack Obama’s presidency.
Learn more about Elissa Slotkin here.
Trump’s address takes place amidst fallout relating to Ukraine
Just four days ago, there was a tense, televised Oval Office meeting involving Mr. Trump, Vice President JD Vance, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, which significantly strained the U.S.-Ukraine relationship.
During that meeting, Zelenskyy’s team was instructed to exit the White House after tensions escalated, with Vance labeling Zelenskyy’s comments as “disrespectful,” and Mr. Trump accusing Zelenskyy of playing with the potential for “World War III.” The Trump administration is advocating for a ceasefire from Zelenskyy, and military aid to Ukraine was halted earlier this week. Mr. Trump has publicly criticized Zelenskyy in the wake of this confrontation, which effectively derailed the planned agreement regarding Ukraine’s mineral rights.
On Tuesday, Zelenskyy sought to mend relations by posting on X that Ukraine is “ready to engage in negotiations as soon as possible” to conclude the ongoing conflict.
“Nobody desires peace more than Ukrainians,” Zelenskyy stated. “My team and I are prepared to collaborate under President Trump’s strong leadership to achieve lasting peace.”
CBS News reported earlier in the day that Ukrainian officials have communicated to their U.S. counterparts their willingness to finalize the minerals agreement, although sources indicate that a definitive deal has not yet been reached. The agreement would grant the U.S.