Overshadowing the union speech that US President Donald Trump will deliver before Congress on Tuesday are several thorny topics, most notably the potential clash with Iran, the Epstein scandal, global customs duties that were invalidated by the Supreme Court’s decision, immigration, and the Peace Council, while his presidency is already going through a critical moment with his popularity declining and Americans suffering from rising prices and inflation.
Published on: 02/24/2026 - 09:49 Last updated: 02/24/2026 - 10:01
US President Donald Trump will deliver the traditional State of the Union address to Congress on Tuesday, at a critical moment in his presidency that is witnessing a decline in his popularity, growing concerns about Iran, and his citizens suffering from the high cost of living in conjunction with the approaching midterm elections expected in November.
The speech that will be broadcast on television, which is Trump's second since his return to the White House 13 months ago, will provide an opportunity to convince voters to keep Republicans in power. However, it comes at a time when it faces political headwinds at home and abroad.
This appearance will also come after difficult days that his administration went through, including the Supreme Court’s decision to invalidate the global customs duties that it imposed, and new data that revealed that the economy slowed more than expected while the pace of inflation accelerated.
It also comes amid tensions related to his administration's strict immigration policy, as Trump struggles to turn the page on the uproar surrounding the government's release of files related to the late Jeffrey Epstein, convicted of sex crimes.
It appears that the American president, who openly says he wants to win the Nobel Peace Prize and has established his own “peace council,” is gradually approaching a military conflict with Iran over its nuclear program, after he moved warships to the Middle East and made plans that could amount to changing the government, according to American officials.
Today's speech could provide an opportunity for Trump to raise the issue of military intervention in the Islamic Republic for the first time as a public issue. Two White House officials said that Trump would discuss his plans regarding Tehran, but they did not provide details. They said he would also boast of his record in brokering peace agreements.
On the other hand, his speech coincides with the fourth anniversary of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, a reminder that he has not yet found a solution to the war, which he previously said he could end “within 24 hours.”
Trump is also expected to address the Supreme Court's decision on tariffs, and will say that the court made a mistake and will explain the alternative laws that he can use to reimpose most duties.
France 24/Reuters
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