In his Tuesday morning briefing, Speaker of the House Mike Johnson previewed what President Donald Trump would spotlight in the first State of the Union address of his second term.
Johnson declared:
This evening the entire country will hear an update on the full scope of President Trump's transformational and historic first year back in office. The results speak for themselves. Why does he have so much to talk about? Because inflation's down, wages are up, investment is booming, the GDP is exceeding every expectation. [...]
So, tonight, President Trump will demonstrate that the Republicans are the only team working seriously to bring Common Sense back to our broken system. It's promises made, promises kept. And he's working, and we're all working together to make the country stronger, safer, and more affordable and more prosperous for all Americans. And many of them will be represented in that big, beautiful gallery tonight. The American people will see that reflected this evening, and in the months ahead, as we press forward on all of those promises and so much more. We're excited, it's a great time for America.
Johnson also pointed out that Democrats had their own plans, mainly to boycott and counter-program the president's joint address. Johnson said:
Democrats, meanwhile, are going to host — count them — FIVE separate counter events, rallies of some sort, they call 'em, in lieu of tonight's address. For all of these theatrics, it doesn't matter how many little gatherings they have, or where they stand, or how high the volume is on the microphones, they have nothing to offer. Nothing but their TDS agenda, the Trump Derangement Syndrome, and it's on full display. All they can say, all they can tell you about is how they oppose President Trump, and thwart his agenda, and shutdown the government, and protest everything: from the President's joint address to basic immigration enforcement. And they obstruct any meaningful progress for the sake of obstruction. It's the same tired playbook that they've run for a decade now. It's shameful that they would boycott an address. Republicans don't do that. It doesn't matter if there's a president from the opposing party. We don't skip out. Our constituents want and need us to be here. Every member of this House represents over 750,000 people. They're disenfranchised if you're not sitting in the seat to be a part of the role and responsibility of Congress. I think it's shameful.
It is shameful, as were the theatrics at past Trump SOTU addresses; yet, here we are. As of this writing, 40 House Democrats and around eight Democrat Senators have stated they will not be attending Trump's State of the Union address.
At least 40 Congressional Democrats are skipping Trump’s State of the Union tonight
— Scott MacFarlane (@MacFarlaneNews) February 24, 2026
The number is rising
On the brighter side, it will make more space for the invited guests, like our gold-medal winning USA Men's Hockey Team.
Read More: Democrats' State of the Union 'Counterprogramming' Promises to Be a Clown Show
Trump Has Epic Phone Call With US Olympic Hockey Team, Patel on Hand As He Invites Them to SOTU
To augment those policy wins Johnson outlined, Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt spoke with Fox News to highlight other featured guests of the president. The President plans to feature everyday American Megan Hemhauser, a Pennsylvania mother of two, who will share how her family has gained $5,000 dollars in additional income thanks to Trump's "No Tax on Tips" and "No Tax on Overtime" policies. These were codified through the One Big Beautiful Law which Trump signed in July 2025. Another featured everyday American will be a woman who will talk about how she is able to access an IVF drug at a reduced cost, thanks to TrumpRx.
Leavitt also announced that Erika Kirk, TPUSA CEO and widow of founder Charlie Kirk will be a guest. Leavitt said, "The president will call on Congress to 'firmly reject political violence against our fellow citizens' with Charlie Kirk's widow in the chamber."
As part of honoring our brave military servicemembers, Trump has also invited the parents of West Virginia National Guard member Sarah Beckstrom, who was ambushed and murdered in Washington, D.C. just before Thanksgiving. CBS News exclusively reported that Trump plans to present the Medal of Honor to 100-year-old Korean War veteran E. Royce Williams.
President Trump is planning to honor a 100-year-old veteran Tuesday night by awarding E. Royce Williams the Medal of Honor for his actions in a secret mission during the Korean War, sources with knowledge of the matter told CBS News.
This would mark the first time that a president has awarded the medal, the U.S. military's highest honor for valor in combat, during a State of the Union address.
White House spokespeople didn't respond to requests for comment. The plan, which has not previously been reported, could change.
And to bring focus to how the Trump administration has stood against the madness of gender transition for minors, a young woman named Sage Blair, along with her mother, will also be in the House chamber as Trump's guests.
President Donald Trump’s guests for his State of the Union address will include Sage Blair, a young woman who was separated from her parents at age 14 after school officials attempted to secretly transition her to a male, the Daily Caller has exclusively learned.
Blair, who is now reunited with her parents and attending Liberty University, will be joined by her mom, Michele, a White House official shared with the Caller. The president plans on telling Blair’s story Tuesday during his State of the Union address where he will also call on states to ban sex transitioning operations for minors.
First Lady Melania Trump also plans to bring two children who have received assistance through her "Fostering the Future" initiative as her guests.
Further in Johnson's briefing, he tied Trump's planned speech and featured policy wins with what the Republican majorities in both houses of Congress have achieved, and plan to continue to achieve, through the 2026 midterms.
Johnson said:
Republicans have a far simpler and far superior message for Americans watching at home. We're putting more money back in your pockets. We're restoring peace through strength. We're defending our border and deporting criminal illegal aliens. We're standing up for American industry and manufacturing. And we're making American workers, not foreign countries, the clear winners in this American economy. Those are not talking points: it is what we have delivered. It's called Republican Results, and we are proud to run on that message in this fateful midterm election year.
Johnson's full remarks are here.
WATCH:
.@SpeakerJohnson: "This evening, the entire country will hear an update on the full scope of @POTUS' transformational and historic first year back in office. The results speak for themselves... inflation’s down, wages are up, investment is booming, the GDP is exceeding every… pic.twitter.com/ELjVLhmibb
— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) February 24, 2026
Editor's Note: With President Trump back in the White House, the state of our Union is strong once again.
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