Donald Trump Speech to Congress Live Updates: Trump says Ukraine willing to negotiate, Russia 'ready for peace'

Democratic congresswomen are making a feminist statement at President Trump’s speech through their attire, wearing blazers, dresses, and scarves in symbolic colours.

More than three dozen members of the Democratic Women’s Caucus have donned pink and burgundy outfits for the president’s joint address, colours they associate with female empowerment. At least six congressmen have also participated, sporting pink ties.

President Trump and First Lady Melania Trump have departed the White House and boarded his armoured limousine for the brief drive to the Capitol.

Trump’s speech marks a dramatic comeback to the US Capitol, four years after the January 6 riots that followed his 2020 election defeat. Now, backed by a Republican-controlled Congress and a popular vote mandate, he wields considerable power.

At 78, Trump has pushed the boundaries of presidential authority, referring to himself as a “king” at times and even entertaining the idea of a third term despite constitutional limits. With Musk’s backing, his administration has aggressively downsized the federal workforce, shuttered entire agencies, and slashed foreign aid.

Republicans have embraced Trump’s fast-paced start to his second term, swiftly confirming cabinet members, including vaccine skeptic Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as Health Secretary. Meanwhile, Democrats have struggled to counter Trump’s dominance of the news cycle, with his frequent press conferences keeping the spotlight on him.

Tuesday night’s address is expected to be contentious, with Democratic lawmakers bringing federal employees affected by Musk’s Department for Government Efficiency (DOGE) as their guests. Michigan Senator Elissa Slotkin, a former CIA analyst and rising Democratic figure, will deliver the party’s official response.

While Republicans are likely to rally behind Trump, the First Lady, Melania Trump, will be joined by guests chosen to align with the speech’s key themes.

“We're so excited—it’s a big day and it’s a big night for President Trump, and we know he’s going to give a fantastic speech,” Leavitt said.

Elon Musk, who is expected to attend Tuesday's speech, has played a significant role in the Trump administration, leading the Department of Government Efficiency’s cost-cutting initiatives. His efforts to slash spending have resulted in widespread job losses and funding reductions across federal agencies, sparking confusion and multiple lawsuits.

So far, Trump has lauded Musk’s work, even encouraging him to be “more aggressive.” However, growing public backlash has put some Republicans on edge, and there are murmurs within Trump's inner circle about how long the president will be comfortable sharing the spotlight with the billionaire entrepreneur.

President Donald Trump is set to address Congress on Tuesday, marking his first major speech since returning to office six weeks ago. He will present his agenda for reshaping the US government, tackling the Ukraine conflict, and navigating economic tensions.

With a theme of the “renewal of the American dream,” Trump’s address is expected to highlight his flurry of executive actions and efforts to overhaul federal agencies—led in part by billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk. The SpaceX and Tesla CEO will be present at the US Capitol to witness the speech, scheduled to begin at 9:00 pm (0200 GMT Wednesday).

Trump will discuss his administration’s economic policies as global markets react to his escalating trade war with Canada, China, and Mexico. Meanwhile, his recent confrontation with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and a perceived shift towards Moscow have unsettled allies. Despite this, Trump will outline his strategy to end the prolonged war in Ukraine.

“He’s going to dive into foreign policy, talk about his intention to end the war in Ukraine,” White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told Fox News.

Trump has also hinted at an announcement regarding a minerals deal with Ukraine, which remains unresolved following a tense meeting with Zelenskyy. Additionally, he is expected to address his plan to secure the release of hostages held in Gaza—an initiative linked to his controversial proposal that the United States take control of the Palestinian territory.

On immigration, Trump will urge Congress to fund mass deportations of undocumented migrants, some of whom have reportedly been transferred to Guantanamo Bay.

In a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump described the speech as a “big” moment, vowing to “tell it like it is.”

On Monday, President Donald Trump temporarily halted the delivery of all US military aid to Ukraine. This decision came days after a tense Oval Office meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. On Tuesday (local time), Trump will have the chance to explain the move and discuss the future of US support for Ukraine.

Trump has expressed dissatisfaction with Zelenskyy and has called for a different approach from the Biden administration, which previously provided billions of dollars in aid and weapons to Ukraine following Russia’s full-scale invasion.

Trump has been urging Ukraine to agree to a ceasefire with Russia under terms negotiated by the United States. Zelenskyy has resisted, as Ukraine has not been included in those talks, and there are no U.S. security guarantees to prevent future Russian aggression. The Oval Office meeting escalated when Zelenskyy reminded Trump and vice president JD Vance that Russia has previously violated ceasefires with Ukraine.

"I just think he should be more appreciative," Trump said of Zelenskyy on Monday.

Trump has said he wants to act as a mediator between Russia and Ukraine, which has led to a shift in the US stance toward Russia and its president, Vladimir Putin. However, after Zelenskyy left Washington without an agreement granting the US access to Ukraine’s rare earth mineral revenue, the next steps for ending the war remain uncertain.

Since taking office six weeks ago, President Donald Trump has issued multiple executive actions and initiated significant changes in the federal bureaucracy.

On Tuesday (local time), he is set to highlight these actions and discuss his priorities in an address to a joint session of Congress. Although not an official State of the Union address, as he recently took office, the event will resemble one, with representatives from all three branches of government gathered in the House chamber.

As is typical for such speeches, Trump is expected to list his accomplishments, including actions on immigration, tariffs, and government spending cuts, while outlining his plans for the coming months.

Senator Elissa Slotkin, a former CIA analyst and a fast-rising figure in the Democratic Party, will deliver the official Democratic response to President Donald Trump’s address to Congress on Tuesday. Slotkin, who secured Michigan’s Senate seat in a hard-fought race last year, is expected to outline her party’s vision while countering Trump’s anticipated rhetoric.

At 48, Slotkin made history as the youngest Democratic woman elected to the Senate and now represents the crucial swing state of Michigan, which former Vice President Kamala Harris lost in the 2024 election.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer praised her as “great on both economic and national security issues,” positioning her as a strong voice to challenge Trump in primetime.

US vice president JD Vance and House speaker Mike Johnson will take their places behind President Trump during the speech, symbolizing the administration’s leadership team.

All eyes, however, will be on Elon Musk, who serves as the head of the department of government efficiency (DOGE) and a senior advisor to Trump. His role in the administration has sparked debate, and whether he attends the address—or is notably absent—will be a point of keen interest.

US President Donald Trump is set to deliver a highly anticipated speech before a joint session of Congress on March 5, 2025 (IST). This marks his first major address since reclaiming the presidency.

While the speech is not officially labeled as a State of the Union address, it will serve as a platform for Trump to highlight his administration’s early accomplishments and outline key legislative priorities.