PROFESSIONAL Q&A
President Trump is set to speak to a joint session of Congress on Tuesday, six weeks following his inauguration.
Aaron Kall, an authority on speech and debate from the University of Michigan and co-editor of “Mr. Speaker, the President of the United States: Addresses to a Joint Session of Congress,” anticipates the address to extend for 90 minutes. This duration offers the president sufficient opportunity—contrasting with the brevity of the inauguration speech—to delve into issues like tariffs, tax reductions, immigration, and the situation in Ukraine, among others.
How typical is it for a president to speak before Congress within the first three months of taking office?
It is customary for newly elected presidents to speak at a joint session of Congress within their initial few months. Although it’s not formally labeled a State of the Union address, the significant speech typically reaches millions of viewers across the United States. This occasion allows presidents to showcase recent successes while outlining a comprehensive list of legislative objectives for the coming months. President Trump is unlikely to attract such a vast audience again until his 2026 State of the Union address. Given the slim Republican majorities in Congress, this address provides the president an opportunity to leverage the visibility of his office to emphasize critical items on his agenda.
In his inaugural address, Trump shared his aspirations for the future. He intends to do the same during his address to Congress. What fresh insights might emerge?
Currently, significant portions of Congressional addresses are strategically leaked to the press to heighten expectations. This approach reduces the likelihood of unexpected policy announcements; however, occasionally, authentic news transpires during the event. President Trump is also known to diverge from his teleprompter and prepared notes in such situations. Additionally, recent years have witnessed notable interactions between presidents and audience members, making this event a must-see.
The Democrats will be afforded the opportunity to present a rebuttal following the speech. While the specifics of Trump’s address remain unknown, considering his early actions in office, what themes do you think the Democrats will prioritize?
Newly appointed Michigan Senator Elissa Slotkin was unexpectedly selected to give the Democratic rebuttal. This rebuttal is often regarded as the most challenging speech to deliver in politics for multiple reasons. Senator Slotkin will possess a general understanding of the primary themes from President Trump’s speech to counter effectively, but she will only have around 10 or 15 minutes to articulate her points late at night in front of a considerably smaller audience. Senator Slotkin’s experience in bipartisan initiatives, coupled with her strong credentials in national security, will make her a significant counterforce to President Trump. She is likely to concentrate intently on economic and everyday issues, given that prices, inflation, and tariffs remain high for many. Furthermore, Senator Slotkin will advocate for President Zelensky and democratic initiatives in Ukraine, especially in light of the recent Oval Office incident.