How to Watch the 2026 State of the Union Address For Free with Sling
President Trump will speak in front of congress in the first State of the Union address of his second term. Here’s how to watch it live with Sling.
With the first full year of his second term complete, President Trump is scheduled to deliver his State of the Union address to congress on Tuesday, Feb. 24 beginning at 9pm ET. The address is expected to last about two hours, and it will be followed by the Democratic response, which will be delivered by Virginia Governor Abigail Spanberger. Whether you have a subscription to Sling Orange, Sling Blue, or Sling Select, or you’re planning to watch with Sling Freestream, Sling has a variety of options to catch President Trump’s 2026 State of the Union address. To watch the most news with Sling, use the link below to subscribe to Sling Orange + Blue with News Extra.
ABC News Live
https://watch.sling.com/1/channel/6f6788bea06243da873b8b3450b4aaa0/watch?embed=true&autoplay=true&trackingId=blog-state-of-the-union
According to Ad Week, “David Muir will lead coverage from Washington D.C., joined by Linsey Davis, Mary Bruce, Martha Raddatz, Jonathan Karl, Pierre Thomas, Rachel Scott, and Jay O’Brien. Analysts include contributors Donna Brazile, Chris Christie, and former Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy.”
Kyra Phillips will anchor a special preshow beginning at 8pm ET, while Linsey Davis will take over for the post-show from 11pm to midnight ET.
How to Watch with Sling: ABC News Live is available with Sling Freestream and all paid subscriptions.
BBC News
BBC News will feature a four-hour special beginning at 8pm ET and continuing through midnight. Chief presenters Sumi Somaskanda and Caitriona Perry will be live in Washington and they’ll be joined by, “ a panel of former lawmakers and political strategists to break down the major moments in the speech, providing context and analysis.”
How to Watch with Sling: BBC News is available with Sling Freestream and all paid subscriptions.
CBS News 24/7
Live coverage begins with CBS News’ State of the Union reporting team at 8pm ET, followed by CBS News’ live coverage of the address. Following CBS News’ coverage, CBS News 24/7 will air The Free Press State of the Union Show. According to a press release, “Free Press senior editor Will Rahn and Reihan Salam, a Free Press/CBS News contributor and president of the Manhattan Institute, will be joined by journalists, analysts and surprise guests from across the political spectrum to make sense of President Trump’s speech.”
How to Watch with Sling: BBC News is available with Sling Freestream and all paid subscriptions.
CNN
Jake Tapper and Anderson Cooper will anchor special State of the Union coverage live from New York beginning at 8pm ET. According to Ad Week, “They will be joined by Kaitlan Collins, Kasie Hunt, Abby Phillip, John King, and the network’s political experts. Dana Bash and Manu Raju will report live from the Capitol, Kristen Holmes will report from the White House, David Chalian will present CNN’s instant poll results, and Daniel Dale will provide live fact-checks.”
How to Watch with Sling: CNN is available with a subscription to Sling Orange or Sling Blue.
FOX News
FOX News’ live SOTU coverage begins at 8:50pm ET. Bret Baier and Martha MacCallum will lead the coverage, with analysis from Dana Perino, Harold Ford Jr., Laura Ingraham, Brit Hume, and Larry Kudlow. Jacqui Heinrich will report live from the White House, while Bill Melugin will be live from the Capitol. Hannity will air live from the Capitol at 11pm ET and FOX News @ Night with Trace Gallagher will air from 12-1am ET.
How to Watch with Sling: FOX News is available with a subscription to Sling Blue or Sling Select.
MS NOW
Rachel Maddow leads coverage beginning at 7pm ET, with opinion and analysis from Nicolle Wallace, Ari Melber, Chris Hayes, Lawrence O’Donnell, Stephanie Ruhle, Jen Psaki, Symone Sanders Townsend, Michael Steele, Alicia Menendez, and Ali Velshi. Sanders Townsend, Steele, and Menendez will continue special coverage beginning at midnight, “offering analysis of the biggest moments from President Trump’s remarks and the Democratic response,” according to Ad Week.
How to Watch with Sling: MS Now is available on Sling with a subscription to Sling Blue.
NBC/NBC News Now
Beginning at 9pm ET, NBC will have special coverage anchored by NBC Nightly News host Tom Llamas, who will be joined by Kristen Welker, Hallie Jackson, Peter Alexander, and Ryan Nobles. On NBC News Now, coverage led by Jackson kicks off at 8pm ET, followed by Welker and a panel of guests offering commentary and analysis beginning at 11pm ET.
How to Watch with Sling: NBC News Now is available with Sling Freestream and all subscriptions, while NBC is available with Sling Blue in designated markets.
Newsmax
Carl Higbie Frontline will kick off coverage with a preview beginning at 6pm ET, followed by Rob Schmitt Tonight at 7pm ET. Greta Van Susteren and Rob Finnerty will anchor live coverage of the address beginning at 8pm ET. Newsmax2 will also carry the address live.
How to Watch with Sling: Newsmax is available by adding the News Extra pack to any paid Sling subscription, while Newsmax2 is available on Sling Freestream.
NewsNation
Coverage begins with special editions of The Hill at 6pm ET, Elizabeth Vargas Reports at 7pm, and Cuomo at 8pm. According to Ad Week, “Chief Washington anchor Leland Vittert will present a special three-hour broadcast entitled Special Report: State of the Union” beginning at 9pm ET. “Political editor Chris Stirewalt, Katie Pavlich, Jesse Weber, Kellie Meyer, and Joe Khalil, among other political experts and guests,” will provide commentary and analysis.
How to Watch with Sling: NewsNation is available by adding the News Extra pack to any paid Sling subscription.
Scripps News
The Danny Moses Show: State of the Union Special kicks off coverage beginning at 6pm ET, followed by The State of Our Union: A Scripps News Group Special Report at 7pm ET. Scripps News anchors Alisyn Camerota and Del Walters will be live at the Capitol to live coverage beginning at 8pm ET.
How to Watch with Sling: Scripps News is available with Sling Freestream and all paid subscriptions.