President Trump’s Joint Address Look Ahead

Key Issues/Themes

• Economy and Tariffs: Trump is anticipated to focus on economic policies, including his administration’s use of tariffs as a tool to boost domestic growth and address trade imbalances. With tariffs on Canada and Mexico taken effect, following a delay, he may defend these measures as a means to reduce illegal border crossings and fentanyl smuggling, while also tying them to his broader “America First” economic vision. Trump may highlight an extra 10% tariff on Chinese imports he imposed overnight and respond to China’s retaliatory tariffs on U.S. agricultural goods, and other measures against American companies including a lawsuit with the World Trade Organization. He is likely to highlight early achievements in his second term and propose extending tax cuts from his first presidency.
• Immigration and Border Security: A crackdown on illegal immigration has been a signature issue for Trump. He is expected to discuss his administration’s recent actions, such as suspending asylum processes at the southern border and refugee resettlement, as well as his push to end birthright citizenship (currently blocked by federal judges). This could include calls for Congress to legislate stronger border security measures, aligning with his campaign promises. Press secretary Karoline Leavitt said President Trump would call for more funding from Congress for border security and deportations.
• DOGE and Federal Spending Cuts: Trump has prioritized restructuring the federal government, notably through the creation of the Department of Government Efficiency, led by Elon Musk. He is likely to emphasize plans to cut federal spending, reduce the workforce, and eliminate bureaucratic waste, framing these efforts as delivering on his mandate to “drain the swamp” and improve government efficiency.
• Foreign Policy and Global Conflicts: The address may touch on Trump’s approach to international relations, particularly regarding Ukraine and Russia. Following a tense meeting with Ukrainian President Zelensky, Trump could outline a shift in U.S. policy, highlighting his freeze on military aid to Ukraine or pushing for a negotiated end to the war. Zelensky said this morning that the disagreement in the Oval Office was regrettable, and he seeks peace and wants to work “under” the Trump plan. His remarks might also address relations with China, given existing tariffs, and broader “America First” foreign policy goals. Trump will highlight his support for Israel and call for a release of the hostages held in Gaza.
• Renewal of the American Dream: The speech’s theme is reportedly “The Renewal of the American Dream.” Trump may weave this narrative throughout, connecting his policies to restoring economic opportunity, national pride, and security for American families, while claiming a mandate from his recent electoral victory.
• Technology Investment: The speech may highlight high profile investments from tech companies in the U.S. and the benefits to American manufacturing and tech innovation. These could include yesterday’s announcement of a $100 billion investment from TSMC in U.S. chip manufacturing, and prior announcements like Apple’s plans to spend $500 billion in the U.S. over the next four years, the Stargate investment by Softbank and Open AI of $500 billion to lead in U.S. AI development, and the announcement by the Saudi Crown Prince that they plan to expand their investments in the U.S. to $600 billion over the next 4 years, which would include tech partnerships.

First Lady Melania Trump’s “Be Best” Initiative Against Online Bullying

President Trump may reference and promote First Lady Melania Trump’s efforts to promote teen safety online. Yesterday, Melania Trump visited Capitol Hill to advocate for the “Take It Down Act,” a bill aimed at making it a federal crime to post sexual imagery online, real or AI-generated, without consent. This marked her first solo public appearance since resuming her role as First Lady on January 20, 2025. The bipartisan legislation, sponsored by Senators Ted Cruz(R-Texas) and Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), passed the Senate in February and awaits House approval. It would require social media platforms to remove such content within 48 hours of a victim’s request. During a roundtable in the Capitol’s Mansfield Room, joined by Cruz, online safety advocates, and survivors, Melania called the issue “heartbreaking,” particularly for teens, and urged Congress to prioritize youth well-being. This effort aligns with Melania’s past “Be Best” initiative, which focused on online safety, a program she aims to revive.

The First Lady’s guest which related to her initiatives include Elliston Berry who was the victim of AI generated deepfake pornography and Haley Ferguson who is a recipient of the Fostering the Future scholarship which was launched by the First Lady’s organization, Be Best.

Special Guests Expected to Attend

President Trump and the First Lady’s invited guests include:

• Elliston Berry from Aledo, TX: Elliston is a 15-year-old who was the victim of computer-generated deepfakes created by a bully at her school intended to humiliate and degrade Elliston and her friends.
• The Comperatore Family from Sarver, PA: Helen, Allyson, and Kaylee are the widow and daughters of Corey Comperatore, a firefighter who was killed by the gunman who also shot President Trump during a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania in July 2024.
• Jeff Denard from Decatur, AL: Jeff has spent nearly three decades working at a steel plant owned by Nucor Steel. His good paying, middle class job at the steel plant has allowed Jeff to serve as volunteer firefighter, provide a loving home to dozens of foster children, and organize his fellow steelworkers to respond to natural disasters, including Hurricane Helene.
• Stephanie Diller from Long Island, NY: Stephanie is the widow of Jonathan Diller, an NYPD officer who was murdered at a traffic stop in Queens in March 2024 by a repeat criminal.
• Haley Ferguson from Spring Hill, TN: Haley is a former foster child, a senior at Middle Tennessee State University majoring in Elementary Education, and a Fostering the Future scholarship recipient, which was launched by the First Lady’s organization, Be Best.
• Marc and Malphine Fogel from Butler, PA: Marc is an American history teacher who was held hostage by the Russian government and wrongfully sentenced to 14 years in a Russian prison. On February 12th, President Trump fulfilled his promise to Malphine, Marc’s 95-year-old mother, that he would bring Marc home.
• January Littlejohn from Tallahassee, FL: January is a mother and parents’ rights advocate who sued the School Board of Leon County after school officials at her daughter’s middle school socially transitioned her daughter to a different sexual identity without January and her husband’s knowledge or permission.
• Payton McNabb from Murphy, NC: Payton is a former high school athlete who had her dreams of competing in college sports crushed in a September 2022 volleyball match when a biological man playing on the opposing women’s team spiked the volleyball at Payton’s face, leaving her with a traumatic brain injury.
• Allyson and Lauren Phillips from Woodstock, GA: Allyson and Lauren are the mother and sister of Laken Riley, a young female nursing student who was murdered by an illegal alien during a morning jog. The very first bill President Trump signed into law this year was named in Laken’s honor.
• Alexis Nungaray from Houston, TX: Alexis is an angel mom and the mother of Jocelyn Nungaray, a 12-year-old girl who was murdered by two illegal aliens during a walk to a corner store.
• Roberto Ortiz from Weslaco, TX: Roberto has served with U.S. Border Patrol for nearly a decade and is a veteran of the U.S. Navy and California State Guard. He has been shot at repeatedly by cartel members while performing his duties near the Rio Grande River in Texas.

According to Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, President Trump will also reference surprise special guests in his speech whose names will not be released ahead of time.

House Speaker Mike Johnson has revealed a partial list of his own guests, which include:

• Tom Homan, Trump’s “Border Czar”
• Noa Argamani, a former Israeli hostage rescued from Hamas
• Ben Dell, Chairman of Commonwealth LNG
• Ben Shapiro and Matt Walsh, prominent conservative commentators

Democrats Are Discussing Forms of Protest During Trump’s Speech

Reportedly, some Democratic lawmakers are planning to disrupt President Donald Trump’s address to a joint session of Congress scheduled for that evening. While Democratic leaders like House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer have encouraged members to bring guests affected by Trump’s policies, such as fired federal workers, to highlight their opposition, a faction of Democrats is pushing for more confrontational tactics. These include potential walkouts during objectionable parts of Trump’s speech, the use of props like pocket constitutions or noisemakers, and coordinated wardrobe choices to signal protest: pink for the Democratic Women’s Caucus, black for female Congressional Black Caucus members, and blue-and-yellow Ukraine flag colors for solidarity with Ukraine.

There are internal disagreements within the party, with some lawmakers favoring traditional silent protests—like refusing to clap—while others want bolder disruptions. These plans go beyond the leadership’s restrained approach and reflect a divide between party traditionalists and a more combative anti-Trump wing. The newly-elected Michigan Senator Elissa Slotkin will give the Democratic party’s rebuttal to Trump’s address.

AGS will watch President Trump’s speech tonight and provide a post-address analysis.

To stay up to date on what AGS is doing, follow us on LinkedIn