Listen to the article
Trump to Deliver Fourth State of the Union Address with Special Guests
President Donald Trump will take the podium at 9 p.m. Eastern Time tonight to deliver his fourth State of the Union address, with a speech expected to focus heavily on economic achievements and reduced cost-of-living expenses for Americans.
The President has invited a diverse array of guests to underscore key themes of his administration, ranging from bereaved family members and everyday Americans benefiting from his policies to Olympic champions and business leaders.
Among the high-profile attendees will be Erika Kirk, who now leads conservative group Turning Point USA following the assassination of her husband Charlie Kirk in September 2025. According to reports from The Daily Wire, Trump’s speech will reference a “tremendous revival of faith, Christianity, and belief in God” that has occurred since Kirk’s death.
Fresh from their Olympic triumph, the U.S. men’s hockey team will attend after winning gold by defeating Canada 2-1. The team traveled Tuesday from Miami to Washington D.C. aboard an Air Force jet, highlighting the administration’s celebration of American sporting achievements on the world stage.
The President’s guest list also includes several ordinary Americans whose stories illustrate the impact of his policies. Catherine Rayner of Norfolk, Virginia, became the first patient to use TrumpRx.gov, a government portal designed to connect consumers with lower-cost prescription drugs. Rayner, who has been navigating fertility treatments with her husband for five years, saw her pharmaceutical bills drop dramatically from approximately $4,000 to $500.
Pennsylvania mother Megan Hemhouser will attend as another example of how Trump’s economic policies have benefited working families. As a homeschooling parent who works evening shifts as a waitress while her husband operates heavy machinery, Hemhouser represents families who have gained from Trump’s “no tax on tips” and “no tax on overtime” policies. The White House reports the Hemhouser family has seen a $5,000 increase in take-home pay under Trump’s tax reforms.
In a more somber note, the parents of National Guard member Sarah Beckstrom have been invited to honor their daughter, who was killed in Washington, D.C. in November 2025. The 20-year-old’s death, which occurred blocks from the White House in what authorities described as a targeted attack, shocked the nation and led to increased National Guard presence in the capital.
Seven-year-old Dalilah Coleman will also attend, according to CBS News. Coleman suffered serious injuries in a California car crash involving an undocumented immigrant truck driver in 2024, likely representing the administration’s continued focus on immigration issues.
First Lady Melania Trump has separately invited guests reflecting her “Be Best, Fostering the Future” initiative. These include Sierra Burns, a participant in her Foster Youth to Independence Program, and Everest Nevraumont, a 10-year-old student at Alpha School, an AI-focused private institution. These guests will highlight the First Lady’s emphasis on expanding educational opportunities and technological advancement.
The U.S. women’s hockey team, which also won gold at the Olympics by defeating Canada, declined their invitation due to scheduling conflicts.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told Fox News Digital that the President’s address will “celebrate 250 glorious years of our nation’s independence and excellence, highlighting incredible stories of American heroes throughout the speech.” The address comes during America’s semiquincentennial year, marking 250 years since the Declaration of Independence.
The speech is expected to be data-heavy, focusing on economic metrics and policy successes while avoiding the more combative rhetoric that has characterized some of Trump’s previous addresses to Congress.
Fact Checker
Verify the accuracy of this article using The Disinformation Commission analysis and real-time sources.
9 Comments
It will be interesting to see how the President balances the ‘triumph and tragedy’ narratives in his address. The diverse guest list suggests he aims to strike a unifying tone and highlight the resilience of the American spirit.
The President inviting guests like Erika Kirk to the State of the Union is a powerful way to showcase the human impact of his policies and recognize the sacrifices of everyday Americans. I’m interested to learn more about the ‘tremendous revival of faith’ he plans to highlight.
Agreed, highlighting personal stories can really bring the administration’s message to life. It will be insightful to hear how the President frames this ‘revival of faith’ and its broader significance.
The State of the Union is always a high-profile event, and the President’s choice of guests reflects his priorities and messaging. I’m curious to see how he ties together the personal, economic, and faith-based elements in his speech.
Inviting the U.S. men’s hockey team is a savvy move to showcase American athletic prowess on the global stage. Their Olympic gold medal victory is certainly something to celebrate, though I wonder how it will be integrated into the broader themes of the address.
The President’s guest list speaks to the complex nature of the current political landscape – from personal tragedies to economic achievements and the revival of faith. It will be intriguing to see how he weaves these different narrative threads into a coherent vision for the nation.
The inclusion of the U.S. men’s hockey team as guests underscores the administration’s focus on celebrating American sporting achievements. Their Olympic triumph is certainly worthy of recognition, though I wonder how it ties into the broader themes of the speech.
Good point. The President may use the hockey team’s success as an example of American resilience and determination in the face of challenges. It could be a way to segue into the administration’s economic and policy accomplishments.
A fascinating mix of guests to highlight the administration’s priorities. I’m curious to hear how the President ties the different narratives together – from personal tragedies to sporting triumphs and the revival of faith. It should make for a thought-provoking address.