WASHINGTON, United States, Feb 24, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - US President Donald Trump 
will try to sell voters on the record of his first year back in power during 
his State of the Union address Tuesday, despite suffering a series of 
stinging blows ahead of November's crucial midterm elections.

After a year of breakneck activity that has stunned America and the world, 
the 79-year-old Republican's flagship speech to Congress -- which he has 
largely sidelined -- comes at a tense time.

Trump is fuming over a string of recent setbacks, including dismal approval 
ratings and the Supreme Court striking down his signature tariffs, a 
cornerstone of his economic agenda.

Adding to the drama, Trump will be speaking right in front of the same 
justices -- including two of his own appointees -- whom he branded "fools" 
over the stunning ruling.

If Democrats win back either the House or Senate in November, it could 
paralyze the rest of Trump's second term -- and put him at the risk of a 
possible third impeachment.

But Trump shows no signs of backing down in a speech that is likely to mix a 
defense of his first year with a launching pad for the midterms.

"It's going to be a long speech because we have so much to talk about," Trump 
said at the White House on Monday.

The president also dismissed "fake" polls including a Washington Post-ABC 
News-Ipsos poll published on Sunday showing his approval rating at just 39 
percent.

- Democrat protests -

Democrats are lining up responses including boycotts and silent protests for 
the address -- mandated by the US Constitution which says that the president 
shall "from time to time give to the Congress information of the State of the 
Union."

Tina Smith, a Democratic senator from Minnesota, said she would skip it 
because Trump uses his speeches to "spread lies -- not to mention they're 
long and boring."

The speech comes after a year in which Trump has asserted unprecedented 
executive power, targeted opponents and slapped his name on buildings at 
home, while upending the world order abroad.

Trump will be keen to tout what his administration says is its success on 
immigration, especially on cutting crossings over the Mexican border.

But polls show that while voters like his overall stance on immigration, they 
don't like the harsh deportation raids in which two US citizens were shot 
dead in January.

On the economy, he will be selling what he claims is success in cutting 
inflation and restoring what he calls a "Golden Age" of America.

But billionaire Trump also faces a challenge to convince voters who are still 
worried about the cost of living -- which many blame on the tariffs that the 
Supreme Court struck down.

- Iran tensions -

The world will meanwhile be watching for hints from Trump about possible 
military action against Iran, with a huge US military build-up pressing 
Tehran to make a nuclear deal.

The key speech has been used to advance foreign policy before -- former 
president George W. Bush fashioned his 2003 State of the Union speech, for 
instance, to make the case for war with Iraq.

Adding to the interest will be the guests that both Republicans and Democrats 
bring to watch the address from the gallery, part of a long tradition.

Trump has invited the US men's ice hockey team after they won Olympic gold 
for the first time since 1980 by beating Canada 2-1 in Italy.

But the women's team said they were declining Trump's invitation, US media 
reported, a day after the president joked in a call to the men's team that he 
would be impeached if he didn't invite the women.

Two Democratic members of the House of Representatives said they were 
bringing as guests the family members of a victim of disgraced late financier 
Jeffrey Epstein.

Trump has denied any links to sex offender Epstein but the scandal continues 
to nag at his presidency.