The president is expected to address his recent clash with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, among other topics.
President Donald Trump’s first congressional address of his second term will take place on March 3.
“Tomorrow night will be big. I will tell it like it is!” the president wrote in all caps on his Truth Social platform.
Trump will make the short trip down Pennsylvania Avenue to deliver the speech before a joint session of Congress. Although not an official State of the Union speech, as the president only just took office, the speech will otherwise have all the hallmarks of that annual address.
The president is expected to lay out his legislative priorities for the coming year and highlight his administration’s accomplishments since his inauguration. His recent Oval Office dustup with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is also anticipated to come up at the event.
The two leaders planned to solidify a deal on Feb. 28, exchanging U.S. aid for Ukraine in its war with Russia for a share of Ukraine’s rare earth minerals, but their press conference unraveled into a spat over the possibility of a cease-fire agreement.
While Trump advocated for negotiating such an agreement, Zelenskyy scoffed at the idea that Russia would honor a cease-fire and pushed for security guarantees from the U.S. The fiery clash, which also involved Vice President JD Vance, ended with Zelenskyy being asked to leave the White House.
“I have determined that President Zelenskyy is not ready for Peace if America is involved, because he feels our involvement gives him a big advantage in negotiations,” Trump said in a statement following the row.
“I don’t want advantage, I want PEACE. He disrespected the United States of America in its cherished Oval Office. He can come back when he is ready for Peace.”
Zelenskyy told Fox News later that day that he respects Trump and the American people but doesn’t believe he needs to apologize for his conduct.
“I think that we have to be very open and very honest, and I’m not sure that we did something bad,” Zelenskyy said.
He also stressed that he was thankful for the United States’ support in response to the White House’s suggestion that he was ungrateful.
“I think that we have to be on the same side, and I hope that the president is on our side together with us, and that is very important to stop Putin,” Zelenskyy said.
The Ukrainian president has since received assurances of continued support from European leaders, including British Prime Minister Keir Starmer. Many world leaders are expected to be watching closely on March 4 to see what, if any, role the United States will play in ending the war.
Offering what could be a preview of his remarks on the subject, Trump took to Truth Social on March 2.
“We should spend less time worrying about Putin, and more time worrying about migrant rape gangs, drug lords, murderers, and people from mental institutions entering our Country—So that we don’t end up like Europe!” he wrote.
Other topics Trump could address in his speech include his crackdown on illegal immigration, leveraging of tariffs, push for government efficiency, and his overhaul of federal policies on sex and gender.
His speech is scheduled at 9 p.m. ET.
Emel Akan contributed to this report.