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Donald Trump will deliver the first State of the Union address of his second term as president on Tuesday evening.
A tradition that goes back more than 200 years, the constitutionally mandated speech gives the president an opportunity to brief a joint session of Congress on policymaking priorities and progress being made on his agenda. In modern times, it has also been a way to connect directly with the American people.
And today, it’s often a widely viewed national event: More than 32 million people watched former President Joe Biden’s 2024 State of the Union, with 74 percent of viewers age 55 and older, according to Nielsen, a media ratings firm.
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While President Trump’s talking points are still under wraps, it's possible he’ll elaborate on recent topics he’s discussed publicly, including the economy — a top concern for adults 50-plus.
Nearly half of adults 50 and older say the cost of living is the biggest issue facing the country today, according to a new AARP survey of nearly 2,600 voters. They were also more likely to say they feel less secure financially now than they did a year ago.
Another topic on the minds of older adults? Health care costs.
More than a quarter of adults ages 40 to 64 have some form of medical debt, and of those who received a surprise medical bill, nearly 30 percent were unable to pay it, according to AARP research. AARP has pushed for caps on prescription drug expenses for those on Medicare and for allowing Medicare to negotiate lower drug prices with manufacturers.
Tune in to see what issues make it into the speech.
When and Where Is the State of the Union?
- The address is scheduled to begin at 9 p.m. Eastern Standard Time on Tuesday, Feb. 24.
- The State of the Union speech is given in the House of Representatives chamber in the U.S. Capitol building in Washington, D.C.
- Most major news networks will be airing televised coverage, but you can also find free livestreams on YouTube and C-SPAN.
- In years past, the White House has also livestreamed the speech on its website.
- Your local NPR or radio station may also be covering the speech.
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