In record State of the Union, Trump spars with Dems, touts economy and immigration
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.
Key Headlines
Democrats' counterprogramming begins
Sen. Chris Murphy and others are now speaking at "The People's State of the Union" event on the National Mall. The program is sponsored by the prominent progressive group MoveOn.
At the National Press Club, a "State of the Swamp" event by Defiance.org is underway that will feature a handful of celebrities appearing either by video or in person.
Notable guests: Artemis II crew, Rev. Jesse Jackson's family
As attendees begin to gather in the U.S. Capitol, here are some more notable guests.
House Speaker Mike Johnson is bringing Hanan Lischinsky, the brother of slain Israeli Embassy staffer Yaron Lischinsky, to attend the speech.
House Republicans have also invited NASA's Artemis II crew: Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch and Jeremy Hansen.
House Democrats have invited several Jeffrey Epstein survivors, including Haley Robson, Annie Farmer and Marina Lacerda. Sky and Amanda Roberts, the brother and sister-in-law of the late Virginia Roberts Giuffre, will also be in the House chamber.
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries has also invited the family of late Rev. Jesse Jackson, who died last week.
ABC News' John Parkinson
No. 2 House Democrat on why she's skipping the SOTU
House Minority Whip Katherine Clark told ABC News she will not attend President Trump's State of the Union address tonight, making her the highest-ranking House Democrat to skip the event.
"And let me tell you why," Clark told ABC News' Linsey Davis in an exclusive interview. "What we have seen from this president is a series of lies, of disrespect for the American people. He campaigned that he would lower costs on Day 1, he would keep people safe and secure. And he has done just the opposite."
"So, I'm going to spend my evening, while he is spewing his misinformation tonight, talking to my constituents about their state of the union and how this administration is impacting them," Clark said.
GOP conference chair on high stakes of Trump's speech
ABC News Live "Prime" anchor Linsey Davis spoke with House Republican Conference Chair Lisa McClain of Michigan about President Trump's highly-anticipated address.
McClain previewed what she expects the president to emphasize -- economic progress, tax cuts and affordability -- and weighed in on the political stakes ahead of the midterm elections.
"I think any time this president speaks, it is very, very crucial, right? As the conference messenger, I take my cues from the White House and from our Republican colleagues as to what message we're going to send forward. And the message that we're really trying to send is forward is commonsense, affordability, bringing costs down and bringing wages up, and we do that through less regulation and lower taxes," McClain said.