Donald Trump speech: Date, time of his joint address to Congress and whether Elon Musk will attend

President Donald Trump will deliver a speech before a joint session of Congress on Tuesday night. This marks his first address before both chambers since returning to office for a second term.

The speech will outline the Trump administration’s early achievements and legislative priorities, according to The New York Times.

Donald Trump to address Congress

When a president speaks to both the House of Representatives and the Senate (all members of Congress) for the first time, it is not officially called the "State of the Union" address. Instead, it is referred to as an "Address to a Joint Session of Congress."


The "State of the Union" address is a specific speech given annually, typically later in the president's term, where they report on the condition of the country and outline their priorities. The first speech before Congress is similar but does not carry the official "State of the Union" title.

Time of Donald Trump's speech

The president’s address will take place in the House chamber at the Capitol. It is scheduled to begin at 9 p.m. ET on March 4, but its duration is not yet known.

The timings are as follows:

9:00 PM Eastern Time (ET)
8:00 PM Central Time (CT)

In his first term, Mr. Trump's 2017 joint address to Congress lasted about one hour. In the following three years, his State of the Union speeches averaged 80 minutes, according to the American Presidency Project.

How to watch Trump's speech

The event will be broadcast widely on major television networks like CNN and PBS. Viewers can also watch the speech live on YouTube, Hulu, and The Associated Press’s official YouTube channel.

CBS News will broadcast the address live and air a special primetime programme at 9 PM ET.

You can stream CBS News' coverage for free on CBS News 24/7, which is available on CBSNews.com, the CBS News app, and Paramount+.

Donald Trump address: Will Elon Musk attend?

During Donald Trump's address, the Vice President and Speaker of the House will be seated behind the President. However, this year, billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk is drawing attention due to his role in the government and there is speculation whether he may attend the event. The billionaire has not commented on the matter.

Musk, who serves as the head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) and a senior advisor to Trump, has had a significant influence on federal policy. Whether he attends the event or not will likely spark discussions about how much influence he has within the administration.

FAQs:

What does Address to a Joint Session of Congress mean?
An "Address to a Joint Session of Congress" is a speech delivered by the US President to both the House of Representatives and the Senate together, during a single meeting.

What time is Donald Trump's speech on March 4, 2025?
The speech is scheduled to begin at 9:00 PM Eastern Time (ET).