Washington, D.C. – President Donald Trump has promised that his first address to Congress in his second term “will be big,” as he prepares to speak before the Senate and the House of Representatives on Tuesday night.
In a post on his social media platform, Truth Social, Trump emphasized that he will “tell it like it is” during the speech, which is expected to outline his administration’s key policies and priorities.
The address comes just days after a dramatic breakdown in peace negotiations between Ukraine and Russia, following a tense and widely publicized confrontation in the Oval Office.
During the meeting, Trump and Vice President JD Vance accused Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky of lacking gratitude for U.S. military support and being unwilling to trust Russian President Vladimir Putin in potential peace talks.
Zelensky left the White House shortly after the heated exchange, without signing a minerals deal expected to provide economic backing from the U.S. to Ukraine.
The failure of the agreement has further complicated diplomatic efforts to bring an end to the war.
Europe Responds to U.S. Approach on Ukraine
In the wake of the failed talks, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer hosted a summit in London, signaling a shift in Europe’s approach to security. The summit underscored growing European concerns about overreliance on the U.S. for defense support.
Addressing the House of Commons on Monday, Starmer reaffirmed the UK’s commitment to transatlantic relations, stating, “We must strengthen our relationship with the U.S. but will never choose between either side of the Atlantic.”
Starmer also shared insights from his recent discussions with Trump, confirming that the U.S. president had expressed “clear support” for NATO’s Article 5, which guarantees mutual defense among member states.
He added that both nations had agreed to work together on security arrangements to ensure lasting peace in Ukraine.
During the European summit, leaders reached a consensus on key principles regarding the ongoing war, including:
- The continued flow of military aid to Ukraine.
- A lasting peace agreement that guarantees Ukraine’s sovereignty.
- Strengthening Ukraine’s defenses even after a potential peace deal.
Trump’s Speech Expected to Set Tone for Second Term
Trump’s upcoming address to Congress has been billed as a speech to a joint session, though similar addresses in a president’s first year are often referred to as the State of the Union.
His last primary congressional address, delivered in January 2020, occurred shortly after he was acquitted in his first impeachment trial. The speech was marked by a sharp partisan divide, with Trump attacking Democrats for what he described as attempts to implement “a socialist takeover” of healthcare.
The event gained further attention when then-House Speaker Nancy Pelosi tore up her copy of the speech in a dramatic display behind the president.
Tensions are running high over U.S. foreign policy, particularly regarding Ukraine. Trump’s speech on Tuesday is expected to set the stage for how his administration will navigate international relations, security commitments, and domestic policies in the months ahead.
