What to expect from Trump's State of the Union address

Will his message be one of hope, fear, or both?

Trump enters the House chamber
(Image credit: Pete Marovich/Getty Images)

In other, more normal circumstances, President Trump might be expected to give tonight's State of the Union address as a somewhat humbled man. He was, after all, forced to delay the speech by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi over the government shutdown he instigated — and then ended the shutdown when it became apparent he was losing support from Republicans in Congress. The event also comes as newly empowered House Democrats are feeling their oats after reclaiming power in the November midterm elections. By any objective measure, the president is on a losing streak.

But Trump doesn't really do humility, so we're unlikely to see much in the way of conciliatory gestures in tonight's speech. He does, however, disdain the usual political conventions which means things could get a little weird. What is the state of our Union, Mr. President? Here are a few ways Trump might spin it:

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Joel Mathis, The Week US

Joel Mathis is a freelance writer who has spent nine years as a syndicated columnist, co-writing the RedBlueAmerica column as the liberal half of a point-counterpoint duo. His work also regularly appears in National Geographic, The Kansas City Star and Heatmap News. His awards include best online commentary at the Online News Association and (twice) at the City and Regional Magazine Association.