HomePoliticsHow to Watch and Key Details About Trump's Tuesday Address to Congress

How to Watch and Key Details About Trump's Tuesday Address to Congress

Sarah Johnson

Sarah Johnson

March 2, 2025

5 min read

Brief

President Trump will address a Joint Session of Congress on March 4, 2025, outlining his legislative agenda. Fox News will provide live coverage and expert analysis.

President Donald Trump is set to address a Joint Session of Congress on Tuesday, March 4, at 9 p.m. ET. While not officially labeled as a State of the Union address—those typically occur in the later years of a presidency—this speech will closely mirror its customs.

House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., extended the invitation earlier this month. In his letter to Trump, Johnson praised the president’s early impact, writing, "Thanks to your strong leadership and bold action in the first days of your presidency, the United States is already experiencing a resurgence of patriotism, unity, and hope for the future." He added, "To that end, it is my distinct honor and great privilege to invite you to address a Joint Session of Congress on Tuesday, March 4, 2025, in the Chamber of the U.S. House of Representatives, to share your America First vision for our legislative future." The full text of the letter was first obtained by Fox News Digital.

For viewers, Fox News Channel, Fox News Digital, and Fox News Go will carry live coverage of the event. Leading up to the address, the network will air previews and analysis across its primetime and afternoon programming. Highlights include Will Cain’s coverage at 4 p.m. ET, followed by commentary from Dana Perino, Greg Gutfeld, Judge Jeanine Pirro, and others during "The Five." Chief political anchor Bret Baier will take over at 6 p.m. ET with "Special Report," and Laura Ingraham will continue the coverage at 7 p.m. ET on "The Ingraham Angle." Jesse Watters will offer a pre-speech analysis at 8 p.m. ET on "Jesse Watters Primetime."

Historically considered one of the most formal venues for a president to outline their legislative agenda, such addresses date back centuries. They are required under Article II, Section 3 of the Constitution, which mandates that presidents provide Congress with updates on the state of the Union and propose legislative recommendations. Modern traditions have evolved significantly. Former President Woodrow Wilson revived the practice of delivering the address in person, which had been abandoned since John Adams’ presidency. Later, former President Harry S. Truman standardized the title "State of the Union" in the 1940s and delivered the first televised version. Former President Lyndon B. Johnson further modernized the tradition by opting for a primetime slot.

In keeping with protocol, one member of the president’s cabinet will be named the "designated survivor"—a precautionary measure ensuring continuity of government in the unlikely event of a catastrophic incident at the Capitol. Past designated survivors have included Andrew Cuomo during Bill Clinton's 1999 address and Eric Holder during Barack Obama’s 2009 address. For President Biden’s 2024 State of the Union, Education Secretary Miguel Cardona took on the role.

As Trump prepares for this significant address, all eyes will be on the Capitol to hear his vision for the nation's future. With the weight of history behind such moments, the event promises to be both consequential and rich in political theater.

Topics

Trump addressJoint Session of CongressMarch 4 2025Fox News coverageState of the Unionpresidential speechlegislative agendapolitical analysisdesignated survivorCapitol eventPoliticsUS NewsGovernment

Editor's Comments

It’s fascinating how these speeches toe the line between tradition and spectacle. The concept of the ‘designated survivor’ always feels like something straight out of a political thriller, doesn’t it? It’s a stark reminder of how much planning goes into safeguarding democracy—even during a routine address. Also, the sheer amount of media buildup here is something else. Gotta love how even a presidential speech becomes a multi-hour primetime event!

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