Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger will deliver the Democratic response to President Donald Trump’s State of the Union address on Tuesday, February 24, 2026, according to announcements from both Democratic party leaders and the Governor’s office.
The selection of Spanberger, who became Virginia’s first female governor earlier this year after winning by a double-digit margin, positions the Democrats to emphasize affordability and economic concerns in their rebuttal. Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer stated that Spanberger “will lay out a clear path forward: lower everyday costs, protect healthcare, and defend the freedoms that define who we are as a nation.”
House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries echoed this sentiment, describing Spanberger as embodying “the best of America as a mother, community leader and dedicated public servant.” He highlighted her background as a former Postal Inspector and national security professional, contrasting her service with what he characterized as Trump’s “failed presidency.”
Trump’s address, the first of his second term, is expected to focus on his administration’s accomplishments and outline his agenda for the coming year, including strategies for the midterm elections. The speech is anticipated to be lengthy, potentially mirroring his first joint address in March of the previous year, which lasted an hour and 40 minutes.
Spanberger’s response will be significantly shorter, following the precedent set by Senator Elissa Slotkin of Michigan, whose rebuttal last year ran just over 10 minutes. The brevity of the response, coupled with the limited audience, presents a challenge for the Democrats in countering Trump’s message.
Senator Alex Padilla will deliver the Democratic response in Spanish. The announcements were made jointly by Jeffries and Schumer on February 19, 2026.
Extensive television coverage of the State of the Union address and the subsequent responses is planned across numerous networks. ABC News, BBC News, C-SPAN, CNBC, CNN, Fox News, MS NOW, NBC News, Newsmax, NewsNation, PBS News, Scripps News, Spectrum News, Telemundo, and N+ Univision will all provide live coverage and analysis, featuring a range of anchors, correspondents, and political experts.
The networks are deploying teams to Washington D.C. And other key locations, with plans for pre- and post-speech analysis, fact-checking, and polling data. Several networks, including CNN and Telemundo, will too offer fact-checking segments during the address itself.
