Who will sit behind the President in the 2026 State of the Union address?

Donald Trump is set to deliver his State of the Union address to a joint session of Congress tonight.

He is expected to report on the current condition of the country, outline his legislative agenda for the rest of his term, and talk about himself to the American public.

The address brings together the three branches of government under one roof. Apart from members of Congress, Supreme Court justices, cabinet members, the diplomatic corps, and other special guests will be in attendance.

It’s an event steeped in tradition, and one aspect of the speech that involves both custom and politics is the seating arrangement. Many Democrats have announced they will not attend the State of the Union in protest of Trump’s politics and his administration’s cover-up of the Epstein files.

Who sits behind the President in the State of the Union address?

When Trump delivers his speech, the two people who follow him in the presidential line of succession will stand behind him.

Vice President J.D. Vance, who is second in line will stand behind him to his right, while Speaker of the House Mike Johnson, third in the line of succession, will stand behind the president to his left.

What is the seating arrangement for State of the Union attendees?

Members of Congress will be divided in the gallery according to their party affiliation, with Democrats to the president’s right and Republicans to his left. Senators are seated in front and the representatives will sit in the rows behind them.

Supreme Court justices are allotted seats in front of the Democrats, while the president’s Cabinet members will be sitting in front of the Republicans, across the aisle from the justices of the high court.

You can see a visual representation of the seating arrangement here. This includes the First Lady’s box, as well as places for the press corps, diplomatic corps, and special guests.

Related stories

U.S. Navy

U.S. plans for Iran could go down the toilet

Culture

Influencer slams Buc-ee’s as “hell” and sparks viral backlash

Get your game on! Whether you’re into NFL touchdowns, NBA buzzer-beaters, world-class soccer goals, or MLB home runs, our app has it all.

Dive into live coverage, expert insights, breaking news, exclusive videos, and more – plus, stay updated on the latest in current affairs and entertainment.Download now for all-access coverage, right at your fingertips – anytime, anywhere.