The immigration issue will also be central, according to NBC and CNN, which heard him give a preview of the speech.
"We have the greatest economic activity ever. I'm going to give a speech tomorrow; you'll hear me say that. It's going to be a long speech because we have a lot to talk about," the president said at the White House on Monday.
It's well known that Donald Trump likes to be spontaneous when he makes appearances. But the president is apparently aware of the opinion polls that show his support is declining - and that his fellow Americans are struggling with inflation and high food prices.
Cheap medicine
That's probably why he is expected to present new economic initiatives, push his vision of a "golden era" for the United States, and talk about the efforts he claims to have made for working Americans.
These include tax cuts and a government digital portal to find the cheapest prescription medication.
"In one year, President Trump has turned our country from the brink of disaster, and he will rightly proclaim that our union is strong, prosperous and respected," White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt told Fox News about the speech.
A historical overview is also to be expected, Leavitt points out, as the United States celebrates its 250th birthday this year.
The live State of the Union address is being delivered before both chambers of Congress. There, as in the rest of the country, views on Trump are divided.
Trump-loyal Republicans are looking forward to a speech that provides arguments and energy ahead of the midterm elections - and diverts attention from the Epstein files and the mess surrounding Trump's global tariffs that the Supreme Court invalidated.
Held up signs
The Democrats have been scrutinizing their protest at last year's speech. Members held up signs reading "Lies" and Texas Democrat Al Green was escorted out after he repeatedly tried to interrupt the president. It was not the party's most mature moment, a representative for the news site Axios conceded.
This year, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries has asked his party colleagues to sit “in silent protest” or skip the speech.
The State of the Union address is usually peppered with reforms but doesn't contain much foreign policy. The media is now speculating whether Trump will address the tense situation with Iran.
Tina Magnergård Bjers/TT
Facts: State of the Union
TT
At the beginning of each year, the President of the United States delivers a speech called the "State of the Union." The speech is usually delivered in the Capitol before the entire United States Congress, that is, both the House of Representatives and the Senate, and invited guests.
The background is Article II of the U.S. Constitution, according to which the president "shall at various times address the Congress with a statement of the state of the Union, and recommend measures... for their consideration."
The speech is a unique opportunity for a president to present reforms and a political vision.
The Democratic response speech this year will be given by Virginia Governor Abigail Spanberger. California Senator Alex Padilla will give the Spanish-language response speech.
