President Donald Trump is scheduled to deliver his fourth State of the Union address on , marking the first such address of his second term. The speech is anticipated to outline his administration’s accomplishments and lay the groundwork for his agenda, with a particular focus on the upcoming midterm elections in November. Following the President’s address, Virginia Governor Abigail Spanberger will deliver the Democratic response.
The address and response are drawing significant media attention, with a comprehensive array of networks planning extensive coverage. The event takes place at a pivotal moment, offering both parties an opportunity to shape the narrative ahead of a consequential election season.
Network Coverage Plans
ABC News will lead its coverage with David Muir reporting live from Washington D.C., joined by Linsey Davis, Mary Bruce, Martha Raddatz, Jonathan Karl, Pierre Thomas, Rachel Scott, and Jay O’Brien. Political analysis will be provided by Donna Brazile, Chris Christie, and former Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy. A pre-show, anchored by Kyra Phillips, will begin at 8:00 p.m. Eastern, transitioning into network coverage of the address itself. Following the speech, Davis will anchor a post-show analysis from 11:00 p.m. To midnight.
BBC News will offer special programming from 8:00 p.m. To midnight, anchored by Sumi Somaskanda and Caitriona Perry, broadcasting live from Washington. The BBC’s coverage will include a panel of former lawmakers and political strategists providing context and analysis of key moments from the President’s speech.
C-SPAN will provide the most extensive continuous coverage, beginning at 7:00 p.m. Eastern, hosted by Peter Slen with news updates from Greta Brawner. Reporters from various news organizations, including Marisa Schultz of The New York Post, Alex Gangitano of Politico, Alex Isenstadt of Axios, and Taylor Popielarz of Spectrum News, will contribute to the coverage. C-SPAN2 will simulcast the 7:00 p.m. Preview before transitioning to “Sights and Sounds from the House chamber” at 8:45 p.m. John McArdle will anchor coverage from Statuary Hall following the address.
CNBC will feature a live blog on CNBC.com, providing real-time updates and analysis throughout the address. The network’s Politics team will also offer pre- and post-speech coverage.
CNN’s live coverage will commence at 8:00 p.m. Eastern, led by Jake Tapper in Washington and Anderson Cooper in New York City. They will be joined by Kaitlan Collins, Kasie Hunt, Abby Phillip, John King, and a team of CNN’s political experts. Dana Bash and Manu Raju will report live from the Capitol, Kristen Holmes from the White House, David Chalian will present instant poll results, and Daniel Dale will provide live fact-checking.
Fox News will begin its coverage at 8:50 p.m. Eastern, with Bret Baier and Martha MacCallum leading the broadcast. Analysis will be provided by Dana Perino, Harold Ford Jr., Laura Ingraham, Brit Hume, and Larry Kudlow. Jacqui Heinrich will report live from the White House, and Bill Melugin from the Capitol. Sean Hannity will host a special edition of his program live from the Capitol at 11:00 p.m., followed by Fox News @ Night with Trace Gallagher from 12:00 a.m. To 1:00 a.m. The Fox Business Network (FBN) will simulcast FNC’s coverage starting at 9:00 p.m.
MSNBC’s live coverage will begin at 7:00 p.m. Eastern, anchored by Rachel Maddow, alongside Nicolle Wallace, Ari Melber, Chris Hayes, Lawrence O’Donnell, Stephanie Ruhle, Jen Psaki, Symone Sanders Townsend, Michael Steele, Alicia Menendez, and Ali Velshi. The team will analyze the speech, focusing on polling data, the state of the economy, and public sentiment. Sanders Townsend, Steele, and Menendez will continue coverage at midnight, offering further analysis of the President’s remarks and the Democratic response.
NBC News will begin its special coverage at 9:00 p.m. Eastern, anchored by Tom Llamas, joined by Kristen Welker, Hallie Jackson, Peter Alexander, and Ryan Nobles. NBC News Now will begin coverage as the President travels to the Capitol at 8:00 p.m., and will simulcast NBC News’ coverage at 9:00 p.m. Welker will anchor live post-speech analysis at 11:00 p.m., joined by key political reporters and analysts from both parties.
Newsmax will kick off its coverage at 8:00 p.m. Eastern, co-anchored by Greta Van Susteren and Rob Finnerty. Prior to the address, Carl Higbie will preview the speech on Frontline at 6:00 p.m., and Rob Schmitt on Rob Schmitt Tonight at 7:00 p.m.
NewsNation will present special editions of The Hill at 6:00 p.m., Elizabeth Vargas Reports at 7:00 p.m., and Cuomo at 8:00 p.m. Beginning at 9:00 p.m. Eastern, chief Washington anchor Leland Vittert will present a three-hour special report, “State of the Union,” featuring analysis and commentary from political editor Chris Stirewalt, Katie Pavlich, Jesse Weber, Kellie Meyer, and Joe Khalil, among other experts.
PBS News will offer live special coverage beginning at 9:00 p.m. Eastern, co-anchored by Amna Nawaz and Geoff Bennett. Reporting will be provided by Capitol Hill correspondent Lisa Desjardins and White House correspondent Liz Landers. Analysis will be provided by Cook Political Report editor in chief Amy Walter, Republican strategist Kevin Madden, Democratic strategist Faiz Shakir, and former Republican U.S. Senate candidate Tiffany Smiley.
Scripps News will feature Alisyn Camerota and Del Walters co-anchoring live coverage beginning at 8:00 p.m. From outside the U.S. Capitol. Special coverage will begin at 6:00 p.m. With The Danny Moses Show: State of the Union Special, followed by The State of Our Union: A Scripps News Group Special Report at 7:00 p.m.
Spectrum News will begin its coverage at 8:55 p.m. Eastern, led by Errol Louis alongside Josh Robin, Taylor Popielarz from the Capitol, Holly Gregory from Florida, and Jason Fechner from Wisconsin, providing regional perspectives. Spectrum Noticias’ coverage will be hosted by Philip Klint and Isabel Morales.
Telemundo will feature Julio Vaqueiro leading coverage from Washington beginning at 8:50 p.m. The network will provide in-depth reporting and analysis from Cristina Londoño, Arantxa Loizaga, and a panel of experts, as well as reaction from Latino voters and fact-checks from T Verifica, Noticias Telemundo’s fact-checking platform.
N+ Univision will present bi-national (U.S. And Mexico) coverage as part of N+ Univision Presenta: Estado de la Unión, led by Ilia Calderón and Enrique Acevedo from the Capitol in Washington beginning at 8:00 p.m. A preview will be led by Luis Carlos Vélez and Fernanda Caso on the streaming platform ViX and N+ Univision Digital. Correspondents on the ground include Claudia Uceda from Capitol Hill, Ariel Moutsatsos from the White House, and Pedro Rojas.
