Karoline Leavitt Teases ‘Emotional’ State Of The Union Speech
Hours before President Donald Trump is set to deliver his first official State of the Union address of his second term, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt previewed a wide-ranging and emotionally resonant speech centered on the economy, affordability and the nation’s 250th anniversary.
Appearing Tuesday morning on “Fox & Friends,” Leavitt said Americans can expect a forward-looking address that blends policy priorities with personal stories meant to capture what she called “the spirit of 1776.”
“He’s going to share the stories of great American heroes who exemplify bravery and the spirit of 1776,” Leavitt said. “And the president is, of course, going to tout his administration’s record setting accomplishments over the past year while laying out an ambitious agenda to continue making the American dream more attainable and affordable for working class people across the country.”
“It’s going to be a great speech. There will be some tear jerking moments as there was last year, in addition to some moments of levity. And so we hope everybody will tune in,” she said.
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🚨 BREAKING: Karoline Leavitt reveals President Trump will go FULL economy, affordability, America 250 and “emotional moments” tonight at the State of the Union
“He’s going to share the stories of GREAT American heroes who exemplify bravery and the spirit of 1776.” 🇺🇸🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/oKm4jFqFtM
— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) February 24, 2026
Trump is scheduled to address a joint session of the 119th Congress at 9 p.m. Eastern in the House chamber of the U.S. Capitol. The White House has framed the speech under the theme “America at 250: Strong, Prosperous and Respected,” tying the president’s agenda to the upcoming 250th anniversary of the nation’s founding.
According to aides, the president is expected to devote significant time to economic issues, particularly inflation and the cost of living. Leavitt indicated that affordability would be a core focus, saying Trump plans to outline additional steps aimed at easing financial pressure on working families. Among the initiatives expected to be referenced is a push to ensure that major technology companies building artificial intelligence infrastructure cover their own electricity costs rather than passing increases on to consumers.
Healthcare is also expected to feature prominently. The president is likely to call on Congress to codify his prescription drug pricing reforms and expand programs the White House says are designed to reduce out-of-pocket medical expenses. Administration officials argue that recent policy changes have lowered certain costs and should be made permanent.
Immigration and border security are anticipated to remain central themes. Trump is expected to defend his administration’s enforcement operations and frame them as necessary to protect national security and public safety.
On foreign policy, Trump is likely to reaffirm what he has described as a “peace through strength” approach, addressing tensions abroad and ongoing trade disputes. He has also criticized the recent Supreme Court ruling that struck down portions of his tariff policies and is expected to reiterate his belief that executive authority should be strengthened in matters of economic security.
The address comes amid sharp partisan divides. More than a dozen Democratic lawmakers have announced plans to boycott the speech, opting instead to attend alternative events branded as a “People’s State of the Union.” Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger is scheduled to deliver the official Democratic rebuttal from Colonial Williamsburg.
Symbolic moments are also expected inside the chamber. As in previous years, invited guests are likely to sit with the first lady and be recognized during the address, reinforcing the themes of service, resilience and national pride that Leavitt previewed earlier in the day.
With control of Congress at stake in the upcoming midterms, the State of the Union will serve as a major platform for the president to define the narrative of his second term. For the White House, the goal is to blend economic messaging with patriotic reflection, casting the next chapter of Trump’s presidency as closely tied to the nation’s 250-year legacy.