Nexstar's Basil John will anchor special coverage of King Charles III's address to a joint meeting of Congress on Tuesday, a historic moment marking the monarch's first speech to the legislative body since ascending the throne. The broadcast, set to run from 2:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. EDT, will feature analysis from The Hill's Sarakshi Rai and Nexstar's Vinay Simlot.
King Charles is expected to begin his remarks at approximately 3 p.m. EDT, addressing lawmakers in the House chamber. The speech is part of his inaugural state visit to the United States as sovereign, a trip that carries significant diplomatic weight amid strained U.S.-U.K. relations.
The visit comes at a sensitive time, with tensions simmering between Washington and London over the Trump administration's military escalation with Iran. The state visit is seen as a key opportunity to mend ties and reaffirm the special relationship, though the shadow of the Jeffrey Epstein scandal has also loomed over the proceedings.
Some Democratic lawmakers, including Representative Ro Khanna, have urged the king to use his address to acknowledge victims of the Epstein trafficking network. Khanna publicly pressed Charles to mention the victims, adding a layer of domestic political pressure to the royal visit.
Security concerns have also been heightened following a recent shooting incident near the White House Correspondents' Association event, which forced a reassessment of security protocols for joint appearances by President Trump and Vice President Vance. House Foreign Affairs Chairman Michael McCaul called for the Secret Service to rethink such events, though the king's schedule proceeded as planned.
Despite these distractions, the address to Congress remains a centerpiece of the visit, symbolizing the enduring alliance between the two nations. The Hill's Sarakshi Rai will provide political context, while Nexstar's Vinay Simlot offers insights on the diplomatic and security dimensions.
Viewers can watch the live video above for comprehensive coverage, including pre-speech analysis and post-address expert reaction. The broadcast is expected to conclude at 4 p.m. EDT.
