President Trump will focus on the economy and foreign policy in his State of the Union address amid low approval ratings and pre-midterm political pressure.
WASHINGTON: President Donald Trump will aim to sell voters on his economic record during his State of the Union address.
This comes as he faces low approval ratings and a recent Supreme Court blow to his tariff agenda.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said Trump will declare America “strong, prosperous and respected”. She added he will tout his administration’s accomplishments and lay out an “ambitious agenda”.
The president warned his speech would be “long” due to the volume of topics. The world will watch for hints on potential military action against Iran amid a US military build-up.
US media reports indicate part of the speech will focus on a “peace through strength” foreign policy. Secretary of State Marco Rubio was due to brief congressional leaders ahead of the address.
The speech arrives at a politically fraught moment for Trump ahead of November’s midterm elections. Losing the House’s thin Republican majority could paralyze his second term and risk impeachment.
Trump is expected to strongly defend his tariffs before the Supreme Court justices who struck them down. He branded those justices “fools and lapdogs” following their ruling last Friday.
His economic message will claim success in cutting inflation and boosting jobs and manufacturing. However, many voters remain worried about the cost of living, which Trump has dismissed as an “affordability hoax”.
A recent Washington Post-ABC News-Ipsos poll placed his approval rating at 39%. Only 41% approved of his economic handling, and just 32% approved of his approach to inflation.
Trump’s policy on deporting undocumented migrants remains more popular with his base. Polls show most Americans believe recent crackdowns, where two US citizens were killed, have gone too far.
Democrats are planning responses including boycotts and silent protests during the constitutionally mandated address. Guest lists for the speech gallery are also drawing significant interest.
Trump has invited the US men’s Olympic gold medal-winning ice hockey team. The women’s team has reportedly declined a similar invitation, according to US media.
Other Trump guests include Erika Kirk, widow of assassinated activist Charlie Kirk, and a trans teen involved in a lawsuit. Two Democratic representatives will bring family members of a victim of financier Jeffrey Epstein.
Trump has denied links to sex offender Epstein, but the scandal continues to nag his presidency.
