President Donald Trump will step before Congress on Tuesday night to deliver his State of the Union address, using the nationally televised platform to argue that his first year back in office has been a success, even as political headwinds build ahead of November’s pivotal midterm elections.

The annual address arrives at a moment of heightened political tension. After a year marked by rapid policy moves and sweeping executive actions, the 79-year-old Republican faces growing scrutiny from critics and fresh challenges that could shape the trajectory of his second term.

Among the developments reportedly frustrating the president are recent opinion surveys showing sagging approval numbers — figures he has publicly brushed aside — and a Supreme Court decision overturning his signature tariff program, a central element of his economic strategy.

The optics of the evening add another layer of drama. Trump will speak before the very justices who invalidated the tariff policy, including two whom he appointed to the bench. Following the ruling, he sharply criticized the court, calling members of it “fools.”

Control of Congress hangs in the balance this fall. Should Democrats reclaim either chamber, Trump could face significant legislative gridlock for the remainder of his term and renewed talk of impeachment, potentially setting the stage for a third such effort against him.

Despite those risks, the president is expected to project confidence. His speech is likely to blend a forceful defense of his administration’s record with a clear pivot toward the upcoming midterm campaign.

“It’s going to be a long speech because we have so much to talk about,” Trump said at the White House on Monday.

He also rejected the legitimacy of unfavorable polling data, labeling as “fake” surveys such as a Washington Post-ABC News-Ipsos poll released Sunday that pegged his approval rating at 39 percent.

Democrats, meanwhile, are preparing visible counterprogramming. Some lawmakers plan to boycott the address, while others intend to stage silent protests during the speech. The address itself is required under the Constitution, which directs that the president shall “from time to time give to the Congress information of the State of the Union.”

Sen. Tina Smith of Minnesota announced she would not attend, saying Trump uses such appearances to “spread lies – not to mention they’re long and boring.”

The speech follows a year in which Trump has expanded executive authority, aggressively confronted political adversaries and advanced a high-profile domestic agenda, while pursuing a more disruptive approach to international affairs.

On immigration, Trump is expected to highlight what his administration describes as substantial progress in reducing illegal crossings at the southern border. He has frequently pointed to enforcement actions along the Mexican border as evidence of a crackdown.

Yet public opinion appears divided. While many voters support tougher immigration policies in principle, some surveys indicate discomfort with large-scale enforcement raids. Protests over those operations in January were linked to unrest that resulted in the deaths of two U.S. citizens.

Economic policy will also feature prominently. The president plans to argue that inflation has eased under his watch and to promote what he has repeatedly called a “Golden Age” of American prosperity.

Still, he faces skepticism from voters who remain concerned about rising living costs. Many critics have tied those pressures to the tariff policies that were later struck down by the Supreme Court, complicating his economic message.

Internationally, observers will be listening closely for signals regarding Iran. A significant U.S. military buildup in the region has intensified pressure on Tehran to reach a nuclear agreement, raising speculation about potential military action if negotiations falter.

State of the Union speeches have historically served as platforms for major foreign policy initiatives. In 2003, George W. Bush used his address to lay the groundwork for military action in Iraq, underscoring the significance of the moment.

As tradition dictates, attention will also focus on the guests seated in the House gallery. Lawmakers from both parties often invite individuals whose stories align with their political messages.

Trump has extended an invitation to the U.S. men’s ice hockey team, which captured Olympic gold in Italy with a 2-1 victory over Canada — the program’s first such triumph since 1980.

However, according to U.S. media reports, the women’s team declined an invitation from the president. The development followed remarks Trump made in a call with the men’s team in which he joked that he would be impeached if he failed to invite the women as well.

{Matzav.com}