Trump to address Congress amid tariff war backdrop

12:30 REPORT

Happy Fat Tuesday, which also happens to be National Pancake Day (free pancakes at IHOP today!). Today's forecast in DC: ⛅ 55° (Find your weather here)

In today's issue:

Trump address preview
White House’s guest list
Retaliatory tariffs shock U.S. markets
GOP senators ‘disappointed’ over Ukraine

Why must these addresses happen so late?!:

President Trump is delivering his joint address to Congress today, and this will be his time to defend his often dizzying strategy of flooding the zone with executive orders and contentious early policy moves.

^Fun fact: It’s not called a State of the Union address right after an election!

Like, the economy: Trump campaigned heavily on the economy, arguing former President Biden’s policies increased inflation and hurt the economy — that was a top reason voters elected him. But in his first 43 days, his focus hasn’t been on lowering those prices.

This morning, Trump’s 25 percent tariffs against the U.S.’s two neighbors kicked in, sending the stock markets into a tumble, sparking retaliatory tariffs and causing likely price increases on groceries, gasoline and cars.

And then there’s Ukraine: Trump abruptly paused all U.S. military aid going to Ukraine after his fiery spat with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Friday. Republican senators in particular will be watching to see how Trump discusses Ukraine. The Hill’s Alexander Bolton reports that some Republicans are “disappointed” with the Zelensky blowup and are hoping Trump will salvage the relationship. (FWIW, the White House press secretary said she found Trump’s fight “refreshing.”)

Other things to watch:

Elon Musk: Will Trump mention tech billionaire Elon Musk, who has taken the lead in purging the federal government?
DEI: Trump is likely to highlight his administration’s effort to purge diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) efforts.
Transgender athletes: The White House invited a woman who sustained a concussion after a transgender athlete spiked the ball during high school volleyball. Trump will likely highlight his administration’s priority to bar transgender athletes from competing in women’s sports. Senate Democrats blocked a bill Monday that would do just that.
The government shutdown: Government funding runs out on March 14, and congressional negotiators still seem far from reaching a deal. Both parties are averse to being tied to a shutdown. And with GOP control of Washington, expect Trump to try to get ahead of it.

➤ LOGISTICS:

What’s the schedule?: Trump will leave the White House at 8:30 p.m. and begin his address in the House chamber at 9:10 p.m. Per the White House schedule, he isn’t scheduled to leave the Capitol until 11:20 p.m., so expect a potentially long speech. (Most recent addresses have been roughly 60-90 minutes long.)

How to watch: We will be livestreaming it at TheHill.com. It will also air on major networks and cable news.

Who will be sitting with Melania Trump?: The White House invited 15 people to sit with the first lady, including family members of people killed by migrants and a former Russian prisoner who was released in a Trump-brokered prisoner swap. 📝 List of Trump’s guests

Who’s delivering the rebuttal?: Sen. Elissa Slotkin (D-Mich.) will deliver Democrats’ response to Trump’s address tonight. Slotkin’s election was one of the few big Democratic victories in 2024.

^ You think she will match the energy of Sen. Katie Britt’s (R-Ala.) apocalyptic response last year? 📹 Throwback

What tricks do Democrats have up their sleeves?: Axios reports that some Democratic lawmakers are planning ways to disrupt the speech, including dramatic walkouts and noisemakers. However, Politico reports that Democrats are taking a more calculated focus on Trump’s message instead of a splashy disruption.

Democrats have also invited a slew of recently fired federal workers to attend the address, hoping to highlight the real-world effects of Trump's policies.

➤ SPEAKING OF THE FUNDING DEADLINE:

Punchbowl reports that Trump will meet with some House Republicans to iron out some issues on the government funding saga.

OK, so about these tariffs:

President Trump’s 25 percent tariffs on Canada and Mexico and another 10 percent tariff on all Chinese imports took effect today.

Why?: To cause economic pain as an incentive for Canada and Mexico to curb the flow of fentanyl and migrants into the U.S.

^ Yes, but that goes both ways:

Canada hit the U.S. with 25 percent retaliatory tariffs on $30 billion in goods. Oh, and a Canadian premier told the Toronto Sun he will cut off electricity exports to the U.S. “with a smile on my face.”
China said it would impose 15 percent tariffs on U.S. chicken, wheat, corn and cotton, plus 10 percent tariffs on sorghum, soybeans, pork, beef, seafood, fruits vegetables and dairy products, per The Associated Press.
Mexico is expected to announce retaliatory tariffs later this week.

This sent stocks tumbling: The stock market opened with big losses this morning. The Dow lost 0.8 percent, the S&P 500 index lost 1 percent and the Nasdaq was down 1.2 percent.

📹 Watch the Fox News stock ticker plummet as Trump spoke 😅

➤ WSJ LAYS INTO TRUMP:

The Wall Street Journal’s editorial board slammed President Trump for his tariff plan, calling it the “dumbest tariff plunge.” 👀

Read: ‘Trump Takes the Dumbest Tariff Plunge’

📝 In Other News

Trump’s next target — Liberal colleges:

President Trump threatened to cut federal funding for colleges and universities “that allow illegal protests” on their campuses.

He posted on Truth Social: “All Federal Funding will STOP for any College, School, or University that allows illegal protests. Agitators will be imprisoned/or permanently sent back to the country from which they came. American students will be permanently expelled or, depending on on the crime, arrested. NO MASKS! Thank you for your attention to this matter.” 🔎 Read Trump’s post

Another layer to Trump’s threat to keep in mind: Trump has previously floated deporting international students who participate in protests.

🐝 Internet Buzz

🥞 A reason to celebrate: Today is National Pancake Day!

🏆 The new Guinness record for the longest acceptance speech: Actor Adrien Brody spent 5 minutes and 37 seconds accepting the Oscar for best actor, reportedly breaking the record for the longest acceptance speech ever.

🍝 Spotted at Osteria Mozza: Former President Biden and former first lady Jill Biden, per Washingtonian’s Jessica Sidman.

📺 Could we see Elon Musk on ‘The Daily Show?’: Tech billionaire Elon Musk has been going back and forth with “The Daily Show” host Jon Stewart over potentially appearing on the show. Read the conversation

📆 On The Agenda

The House and Senate are in. President Trump and Vice President Vance are in Washington. (all times Eastern)

12:30 p.m.: Senators meet for weekly caucus luncheons.
1:30 p.m.: First and last House votes. 📆 Today’s agenda
8:30 p.m.: Trump and first lady Melania Trump leave for the U.S. Capitol.
9:10 p.m.: Trump delivers his joint address to Congress. 💻 Livestream
11:30 p.m.: Trump returns to the White House.

👋 And Finally…

If anyone could spare a minute, could you please help free this dog from a particularly precarious situation?

Stay Engaged

Send comments, story ideas and events for our radar to cmartel@thehill.com. A friend forward this to you? Subscribe here.

View past issues of 12:30 Report here and check out other newsletters from The Hill here. See you next time!

Topics

Backdrop for Trump's speech to Congress is a potential government shutdown

A government shutdown looms as Trump addresses a joint session of Congress, where he’s sure to face a divided audience following his effort to slash the government.
ABC News - 2h
Fact-Checking Trump’s Claims on Tariffs, Ukraine and DOGE Before Address to Congress

The president has repeatedly made false or misleading claims in pursuing an aggressive agenda in the first weeks of his second term.
The New York Times - 10h
Trump’s speech to Congress: President likely to address tariffs, energy and immigration, but not these topics

President Trump is due to give a State-of-the-Union-style address on Tuesday night, in which he’s expected to talk up his handling of the country’s economy, even as one gauge for the economic ...
MarketWatch - 7h
How to watch Trump address to Congress

President Trump is set to address a joint session of Congress for the first time during his second term on Tuesday, outlining the goals of his administration and how he views the state of the ...
The Hill - 9h
President Trump to address Congress as new tariffs take effect on Mexico, Canada and China

President Trump will lay out his priorities during an annual address to Congress Tuesday night. Mr. Trump will also talk about what he's already done, including massive cuts to the federal ...
CBS News - 7h
Live updates: Trump to address Congress as Canada, Mexico lash out over tariffs

President Trump will address Congress Tuesday night against the backdrop of newly levied tariffs on the nation's closest trading partners, Canada and Mexico. The leaders of both nations had sharp ...
The Hill - 48m
Shutdown clock ticks with Trump set to address Congress

The shutdown clock is ticking on Capitol Hill as lawmakers look to fund the government by the looming March 14 deadline, an effort that has thus far been unsuccessful as the two parties trade blame ...
The Hill - 1d
Separating show and substance as Trump addresses Congress

It’s been exactly five years and one month since President Trump last addressed a joint session of Congress, and the biggest story of the week back then wasn’t about anything he said in his one ...
The Hill - 10h
What to expect from President Trump's address to Congress

CBS News chief Washington correspondent Major Garrett joins "CBS Mornings" to break down what to expect from President Trump's address to Congress Tuesday night.
CBS News - 7h
Trump expected to tout administration actions in address to Congress

President Trump is expected to highlight the early actions of his second term when he delivers remarks to a joint session of Congress Tuesday night. CBS News congressional reporter Taurean Small ...
CBS News - 5h
How to watch Trump's address to Congress tonight

President Trump will address a joint session of Congress tonight, marking his first speech to both chambers since he returned to office. Here's how to watch his 2025 address.
CBS News - 4h
Here are the Democrats skipping President Trump's address to Congress

Several Democrats in both chambers of Congress are planning to skip President Trump’s first address to lawmakers of his second White House term Tuesday night, expected to be a wide-ranging speech ...
The Hill - 2h
Who has Trump invited to his address to Congress?

Carefully curated guests will underscores administration’s hard line on transgender and immigration. When Donald Trump addresses a joint session of Congress on Tuesday night for the first time ...
The Guardian - 2h
Who Trump invited to his Congress address

President Trump will address both chambers of Congress and extended invitations to Americans that can help tell the story of his actions during his second term in the White House. CBS News' Weijia ...
CBS News - 43m
Here’s How to Watch Trump’s Address to Congress

At 9 p.m. Eastern, President Trump will speak to a joint session of Congress for the first time in his second term. The New York Times will carry the address live.
The New York Times - 21m
Trump to address nation amid sagging approval ratings

President Donald Trump is set to address a joint session of Congress Tuesday night amid sinking approval ratings, according to recent polling data.
ABC News - 1h
N.Y. Rep. Espaillat to deliver Spanish response to Trump’s address to Congress

New York Rep. Adriano Espaillat speaks with Rev. Al Sharpton as he will deliver the Democratic Party’s Spanish-language response to President Donald Trump’s upcoming joint address to Congress.
NBC News - 1d
Majority disapproves of Trump job performance ahead of address to Congress: Survey

A majority in a new survey disapprove of President Trump’s job performance ahead of his scheduled address to Congress. In the CNN poll released Sunday and conducted in the final five days of last ...
The Hill - 1d
Democrats invite fired federal workers to Trump's address to Congress

The firings were part of the sweeping cuts spurred by Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE.
CBS News - 22h
Democrats want Trump to confront the human toll of layoffs at address to Congress

Democrats on Capitol Hill have bashed President Trump over mass federal firings since the first dismissals began in January. On Tuesday, they’re hoping to hold a human mirror to what that policy ...
The Hill - 22h
7 things to watch for during Trump’s joint address to Congress

Look for a more emboldened president compared to the Trump of 2017.
Politico - 12h
5 things to watch as Trump delivers joint address to Congress

President Trump will head to the Capitol on Tuesday for the first joint address of his second term emboldened by a month of mass federal agency slashing, shocking foreign policy moves and a ...
The Hill - 10h
Trump to lay out second-term vision in key address to Congress

President’s first speech to joint session of Congress since reclaiming office comes after administration’s radical start. Donald Trump on Tuesday will deliver his first address to a joint session ...
The Guardian - 10h
What to expect from Trump's address to joint session of Congress

President Trump will deliver remarks before a joint session of Congress Tuesday night in his first speech to both chambers since reclaiming the White House. CBS News' Nancy Cordes and Taurean Small ...
CBS News - 7h
Trump to address Congress and nation as he tests limits of presidential power

Trump will step on to the dais at 9 p.m. ET to lay out his vision for the next four years and tout the actions taken in his first six weeks in office.
ABC News - 8h
Sen. Katie Britt on Trump's address and the Republican-led Congress

Sen. Katie Britt, the youngest woman ever elected to the Senate, joins "CBS Mornings Plus" to discuss President Trump's upcoming address to a Republican-controlled Congress and the key issues ...
CBS News - 5h
How to watch, stream Trump's address to the joint session of Congress tonight

President Donald Trump is set to address a joint session of Congress on Tuesday -- his first speech to Congress of his second term.
ABC News - 6h
Democrats slam Trump's latest moves as he prepares to address Congress

Democrats in Congress are slamming President Trump as he prepares to address both legislative chambers about his first moves during his second term in the White House. CBS News' Taurean Small reports.
CBS News - 1h
Trump trade war intensifies as tariffs go into place

Americans awoke Tuesday morning to an intensifying trade war, as President Trump’s newest tariffs on Canadian, Mexican and Chinese imports were imposed and those countries quickly moved to ...
The Hill - 8h
How will Trump address rising prices as new tariffs take form?

President Trump's tariffs on goods from Canada, Mexico and China are bound to increase prices for Americans. CBS News' Weijia Jiang reports as Mr. Trump prepares to address both chambers of Congress.
CBS News - 1h
Trump tariffs part of ‘drug war,’ not ‘trade war’: Commerce secretary

Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick said President Trump’s tariffs on other countries are part of a “drug war,” not a “trade war.” Lutnick joined CNBC on Tuesday, just hours after Trump’s 25 percent ...
The Hill - 5h
Trump to deliver prime-time address before Congress as policy shake-ups test key alliances

President Donald Trump on Tuesday night will deliver a joint address to Congress, where he is expected to lay out his efforts to rapidly slash the size of the federal government.
NBC News - 9h
As President Trump prepares to address Congress, Americans are split on how he's done so far

From immigration to DOGE and cutting costs, Americans are divided on how President Trump and his administration are doing so far as the president prepares to address Congress about plans for his ...
CBS News - 7h
Trump to meet with Polish president, amid discussions about Ukraine war

Polish President Andrzej Duda is expected to meet with President Trump on the sidelines of the Conservative Political Action conference on Saturday.
CBS News - Feb. 21
Trump Takes Aim at Chinese Shipping Amid Widening Trade War

A new proposal would impose steep levies on Chinese-made ships arriving at U.S. ports, threatening to increase costs for imports.
The New York Times - 5d
Trump threatens China with additional 10% tariff in escalation of trade war

US president also insists delayed tariffs on imports from Canada and Mexico will go into effect on 4 March. US politics live – latest updates Donald Trump has threatened China with an ...
The Guardian - 5d
Trump’s tariffs loom suddenly through the fog of trade war

In the US president’s mind, the trade instruments blur into one another
Financial Times - 1d
Trudeau condemns ‘dumb’ Trump trade war as Canada strikes back with tariffs

Canada’s prime minister says the US president wants to usher in the ‘complete collapse’ of the Canadian economy. Justin Trudeau has claimed the aim of a “dumb” trade war launched by Donald ...
The Guardian - 2h
What to know about Trump's new tariffs, pause on Ukraine aid before congressional address

President Trump will address a joint session of Congress Tuesday night after his long-anticipated tariffs against Canada, Mexico and China went into effect Tuesday morning. Mr. Trump has also put a ...
CBS News - 8h