As we anticipate President Donald Trump’s upcoming address to Congress, it’s important to consider the key concerns of Americans and what they wish to hear from the president, bolstered by insights from recent CBS News polling.
What topics are on people’s minds?
Inflation. Many believe it’s crucial for President Trump to outline his strategies for reducing prices, making it the most significant issue for both Republicans and Democrats.
Inflation, along with the economy, remains a high priority for a large majority of Americans, who feel it is not adequately emphasized by the president.
Seventy-seven percent of Americans claim their earnings are failing to keep pace with inflation.
Additionally, there is considerable interest in discussions regarding Medicare and Medicaid, the federal budget, and tax reductions.
Conversely, Americans are less inclined to prioritize topics like diminishing the federal workforce, Congressional actions, and the events of January 6, 2021.
Who plans to tune in to the address?
Primarily Republicans. President Trump’s address to Congress is expected to reach a more congenial audience largely comprising Republicans. Historically, members of the president’s party have been more apt to watch addresses such as this or the State of the Union.
Reflecting this, those who intend to watch this evening’s address are predominantly Republican, rather than Democrats or independents. Most of these potential viewers who participated in the 2024 presidential election supported Donald Trump.
(In contrast, Joe Biden’s congressional addresses attracted a more Democratic audience.)
Three-quarters of those planning to view the speech express approval of Trump’s overall performance as president.
While we provided a list of government funding areas, none received majority support for cuts, with the exception of foreign aid.
Although many Americans generally support cutting government spending, most do not favor reductions in federal funding for Medicaid, Medicare, Social Security, education, defense, or border enforcement, including a considerable number of Republicans.
Congress and the President
There remains a widespread belief that the president’s party in Congress, the Republicans, should challenge the president when they disagree, a sentiment echoed by many rank-and-file Republicans.
However, MAGA Republicans tend to advocate more strongly for Congressional Republicans to align with Trump’s desires.
On the other hand, most Democrats would prefer their congressional representatives to oppose Trump as much as possible.
Americans’ perspectives on crucial issues
A look at tariffs in the news: Most Americans do not favor tariffs on countries like Mexico and Canada (more support exists for tariffs on China), based on polls conducted in February before the tariffs were implemented. The rationale: nearly three in four believe that new tariffs on imported goods would lead to higher prices.
This is particularly relevant as Americans have consistently reported that high prices significantly contribute to their negative perception of the economy, claiming their incomes are failing to keep pace with inflation.
Taxes. A significant portion of the population is eager to hear about tax reductions from the president, with majority backing for Congress to prolong the 2017 tax cuts, even among over a third of Democrats.
Deportation policy. During the campaign trail of 2024, most voters — particularly Trump supporters — were in favor of his proposed mass deportation strategy. Currently, a majority of Americans approve of the existing deportation policies of the Trump administration.
Russia-Ukraine. The divide over military aid to Ukraine has persisted along partisan lines, particularly highlighted prior to the Oval Office meeting between President Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, which coincided with a pause in U.S. assistance to Ukraine.
This analysis is derived from CBS News/YouGov surveys conducted with nationally representative samples of U.S. adults. Each sample has been weighted to reflect the demographic makeup of adults nationwide based on gender, age, race, and education, utilizing data from the U.S. Census American Community Survey and Current Population Survey, as well as the 2024 presidential vote. The three surveys were conducted from February 5-7, 2025 (MOE: ±2.5 pts), February 24-26, 2025 (MOE: ±2.3 pts), and February 26-28, 2025 (MOE: ±2.5 pts).
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