EXPERT Q&A
President Trump is set to speak to a joint session of Congress on Tuesday, six weeks after his inauguration.
Aaron Kall, an expert in speech and debate at the University of Michigan and co-editor of “Mr. Speaker, the President of the United States: Addresses to a Joint Session of Congress,” noted that he anticipates the address to span 90 minutes, which provides the president with significant opportunity—compared to a more concise inauguration speech—to thoroughly discuss matters like tariffs, tax reductions, Ukraine, immigration, among others.
How frequently does a president deliver a speech before Congress within their initial 90 days in office?
It is anticipated that newly inaugurated presidents will address a joint session of Congress during their first few months in office. While this is not technically categorized as a State of the Union address, the significant speech generally reaches tens of millions across the nation. It enables presidents to showcase recent achievements while outlining a comprehensive agenda for the upcoming months. Trump may not captivate such a vast audience again until his 2026 State of the Union speech. Given the slim Republican majorities in Congress, this address provides the president with the opportunity to leverage the visibility of his office to draw attention to crucial items on his agenda.
In his inaugural speech, Trump articulated his vision for the nation’s future. He aims to do similarly before Congress. What fresh insights can we expect?
Currently, significant portions of Congressional addresses are often strategically leaked to news outlets to build anticipation. This reduces the chances of unexpected policy revelations; however, occasionally, genuine news emerges during the event. Moreover, President Trump is known to deviate from the teleprompter and his scripted comments in such occasions. There have also been well-known interactions between presidents and audience members in recent years, making this event essential viewing.
The Democrats will have an opportunity to present a rebuttal following the speech. While specific details of Trump’s speech remain unclear, what issues do you believe the Democrats will concentrate on based on his early presidency?
Newly appointed Michigan Senator Elissa Slotkin has unexpectedly been selected to deliver the Democratic rebuttal, a task perceived as the most challenging speech in politics for numerous reasons. Senator Slotkin will possess a general understanding of the primary themes in Trump’s address to effectively counter them, yet she will have only about 10 to 15 minutes to do so late at night in front of a considerably smaller audience. With her bipartisan experience and strong national security qualifications, Senator Slotkin will pose a significant challenge to President Trump. She is likely to concentrate intensely on economic issues and everyday concerns, as many continue to cope with high prices, inflation, and tariffs. Additionally, Senator Slotkin is expected to support President Zelensky and advocate for democratic initiatives in Ukraine, especially considering the recent tensions at the Oval Office.