Trump’s 2026 State of the Union: Dozens of Democrats Plan Boycott Tonight

45-50 lawmakers skip address to protest second term, amid economy and foreign policy focus

President Donald Trump is set to deliver his 2026 State of the Union address tonight before a joint session of Congress, previewing his second-term agenda on the economy, tariffs, job growth, tax cuts, and foreign policy, including Iran and the Gaza-Israel conflict. The speech arrives amid sagging approval ratings, a Supreme Court rebuke on tariffs, and looming midterms that could shift House and Senate control.

Roughly 45 to 50 Democratic lawmakers from the House and Senate plan to skip the event in protest, choosing alternative rallies to spotlight economic hardships, immigration crackdowns, and civil rights concerns under Trump’s presidency. Notable boycotters include House No. 2 Democrat Katherine Clark, Sen. Chris Van Hollen, Sen. Ed Markey, and various progressives rejecting what they call authoritarianism and constitutional threats.

Those skipping will join the “People’s State of the Union” rally on the National Mall, hosted by MoveOn and MeidasTouch, with everyday Americans affected by Trump policies, plus activists and entertainers. Some Democrats plan to invite Epstein survivors as guests to highlight elite abuse scandals, framing their absence as defiance against corruption.

While most Democrats intend to attend for live rebuttals, the boycott exposes party divisions on protest versus engagement. Trump aims to rally his base through the address; opponents see the skips as refusing to normalize his term.