NOTE to students:  Read the information under “Background” below before answering the questions. 

1. a) What is the State of the Union address? What is the purpose of the address?
b) When and where is the State of the Union given?

2. Specifics of the speech have not been announced. What two things do we know prior to the president's address?

3. a) List 3 policies and accomplishments you think the president is likely to note in his address.
b) Why should the president talk about his accomplishments in his address to the nation?

4. As every president’s does, President Trump’s address will focus on multiple issues. Which of the following do you think are most important for the president to include in his State of the Union address tonight? Explain your answer.
a) the economy/inflation/affordability
b) tariffs and making fair trade deals
c) border security/ICE arrests of violent criminal illegals let into the U.S. during President Biden's open border policy/sanctuary cities
d) law and order / crime in the cities
e) securing the election/the SAVE America Act/proof of citizenship, voter ID, no paper ballots...
f) affordable prescription drug prices/healthcare
g) government shutdown/funding for DHS
h) Iran
i) Gaza - Board of Peace
j) other (explain)

5. Ask a parent what issues he/she thinks President Trump should focus on in his State of the Union, and to explain his/her answer.

CHALLENGE:  WITHOUT listening to any comments by the media (during/after the speech), watch President Trump’s address to the nation and answer the following questions.

To watch the President's address without comment, go to whitehouse.gov , the White House youtube page, or c-span.org.
To read the transcript of President Trump’s address, go to: ap.com.

(NOTE: All links will be enabled when they are available - some after the SOTU.)

1. Tone is the attitude a speaker takes towards a subject. What was the tone of President Trump’s 2026 State of the Union address?

2. What was the overall theme of the president’s speech?

3. What accomplishments from the past year did President Trump talk about in his State of the Union?

4. a) What major points did President Trump make about the economy in his address to the nation?
b) What is your reaction to this?
c) Ask a parent the same question.

5. What issue presented by President Trump was the most important to you?  Did any aspect of the speech disappoint you?  Explain your answers.

6. a) Do you think the President is focusing on the correct issues? Explain your answer.
b) Ask a parent the same question.

7. Overall, what did you think of the president’s State of the Union address? Explain your answer.