Riley Gaines, DOGE, Silk Road: Who's in the Audience for Trump's Speech to Congress?

Tuesday night’s U.S. Capitol audience for President Donald Trump’s first joint session address of his second term is a fascinating mix of faces, each telling its own story about the state of America’s political theater.

Among the notable attendees are former NCAA athlete Riley Gaines, Silk Road founder Ross Ulbricht, and a state-level DOGE (Department of Government Efficiency) official. It’s safe to say the guest list is as colorful as the political climate itself.

Rep. Marianette Miller-Meeks of Iowa invited Riley Gaines, a vocal advocate against transgender athletes competing in girls' sports. This follows their shared appearance at a White House event where Trump signed an executive order on the matter. For Miller-Meeks, who won a tight House race in 2024, keeping girls' sports in the spotlight seems strategic—and, let’s face it, a little personal too.

Then there’s Ross Ulbricht, the founder of the infamous Silk Road dark web platform. Ulbricht, arrested by the FBI and sentenced to double life imprisonment without parole for facilitating illegal activities, was later pardoned by Trump. Rep. Thomas Massie of Kentucky is bringing Ulbricht as his guest, calling attention to Trump’s stance on what he describes as "weaponized government." Talk about a plot twist worthy of a Netflix documentary.

Rep. Ashley Hinson of Iowa is attending with Emily Schmitt, her state’s DOGE task force chair. Schmitt is also the chief administrative officer and general counsel for Sukup Manufacturing. This nod to Trump’s government efficiency initiatives underscores Iowa’s commitment to the DOGE agenda, which Elon Musk helped spearhead. Hinson herself is a member of the House DOGE Caucus, proving that bureaucracy can have its own fan club.

Sports nostalgia enters the mix with Minnesota Rep. Tom Emmer’s guests, Buzz Schneider and Rob McClanahan, two hockey legends from the Gold Medal-winning 1980 U.S. Olympic team. Their victory over the Soviet Union inspired the film "Miracle on Ice," a story that still gets Americans teary-eyed. If there’s one thing we can all agree on, it’s that the Cold War was a great time for hockey.

In a more sobering nod to law enforcement, Rep. Chip Roy of Texas is bringing Lt. Chris Olivarez of the Texas Department of Public Safety. Meanwhile, South Dakota Rep. Dusty Johnson is accompanied by Sheriff Pat West, the hero who cracked a disturbing sex trafficking case involving a 13-year-old girl. These choices align with the Republican Party’s continued emphasis on law and order.

The border crisis will also take center stage in the gallery. Sen. Joni Ernst of Iowa invited the father of Sarah Root, an Iowa native killed by an undocumented immigrant. Root’s name is tied to "Sarah’s Law," part of the Laken Riley Act, the first bill Trump signed in his second term.

Across the aisle, Democrats are using their guest invitations to push back against Trump’s policies. Sen. Mark Warner of Virginia will bring a former park ranger who lost her job during the Trump-Musk DOGE restructuring. This guest, also a cancer survivor now without health insurance, represents the human cost of government downsizing. It’s a poignant reminder that efficiency comes at a price.

Not all Democrats are following the same playbook, though. Sen. Jon Ossoff of Georgia is attending with Al Lipphardt, the commander in chief of the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW). It’s a bipartisan nod to America’s veterans, proving that even in Washington, some bridges are still standing.

As Trump takes the podium tonight, the stories seated in the audience will provide as much drama as the speech itself. Whether you’re here for the politics or the personalities, this is one address you won’t want to miss.