State of the Union 2026: Exact Date, Start Time, and How to Watch President Biden’s Address

Looking for the exact schedule of President Donald Trump’s 2026 State of the Union address? The speech is set for 9 p.m. ET on Tuesday, Feb. 24, 2026, before a joint session of Congress in the House chamber of the U.S. Capitol. How to watch: All major U.S. broadcast networks (ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX), cable channels (CNN, MSNBC, Fox News) and public outlets NPR and PBS will carry the speech live. The White House will stream it online, and most major news sites, including USA TODAY, will host embedded feeds. Coverage typically runs until 11 p.m. ET, followed by the formal opposition response and expert analysis. What to expect: According to senior aides, the president will devote much of the address to pocket-book issues—slowing economic growth, rising consumer prices and his stalled tariff agenda—while urging Congress to deliver tax-relief and housing bills. He is also expected to outline a path forward on immigration funding, defend his Middle East posture as U.S. forces mass near Iran and tout first-year legislative wins on energy and veterans’ health. Why it matters: This is the first State of the Union of Trump’s second term, giving him a prime-time platform to reset a narrative clouded by the Supreme Court’s rejection of his emergency-tariff powers and a shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security. With midterm races on the horizon and approval ratings sliding, the speech offers a nationally televised chance to reclaim momentum and frame the 2026 policy debate. Historical notes: Modern State of the Union addresses average 60–90 minutes; Trump’s first-term speeches all exceeded an hour, with his 2019 address clocking 1 hour 22 minutes. The longest on record is Bill Clinton’s 2000 marathon at 1 hour 29 minutes, while Richard Nixon holds the brevity record at just under 29 minutes. Pro-tip for viewers: • Start streaming a few minutes early—network commentary often previews the seating chart, special guests and cabinet designees. • Follow real-time fact-checks on reputable news sites or C-SPAN for an uninterrupted feed. • Transcripts and full video replays are usually posted within an hour of the speech’s conclusion on WhiteHouse.gov and the National Archives. Whether you’re tuning in for policy details or political theater, mark your calendar now so you don’t miss the 2026 State of the Union address.