The speech was a chance for Trump to make his case ahead of the midterms.
President Donald Trump delivered his State of the Union Tuesday night in Washington, as a majority of Americans disapprove of how he is handling inflation, tariffs, relations with other countries, immigration and the economy, according to an ABC News/Washington Post/Ipsos poll.
For Trump, the speech was a chance to make the case directly to millions of Americans ahead of November's midterm elections where control of Congress is at stake. Dozens of Democrats, meanwhile, skipped the speech in protest.
A who's who of members of the president's Cabinet made their way into the chamber before the president's address, including Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent.
First lady Melania Trump was greeted with applause as she entered the chamber. She is seated with members of the Trump family, including Barron and Ivanka Trump.
Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts and Justices Brett Kavanaugh, Elena Kagan and Amy Coney Barrett entered the chamber with an applause from the attendees.
Trump is expected to tout himself as a peacemaker in his speech, according to excerpts released by the White House.
"As president, I will make peace wherever I can -- but I will never hesitate to confront threats to America wherever we must," Trump will say.
Iran looms large over Trump's address tonight. U.S. military assets have been surging to the Middle East for weeks, as Trump seeks to strike a nuclear deal with Tehran.
