President Biden’s 2024 State of the Union address

There is one word that does not appear in President Joe Biden’s State of the Union remarks tonight: “Trump.”

 A White House official who reviewed the president’s prepared remarks tells CNN that the former president isn’t named in the address.

But even if we don’t hear Biden say the actual words “Donald Trump,” aides say it will be abundantly clear – at multiple junctures – that the president is referring precisely to his GOP opponent. 

 “It’ll be pretty clear who he’s talking about,” this White House official said. 

That contrast – the Biden America vs. the Trump America – will be a major theme that runs throughout the speech. We already know one example: When discussing the need to protect American democracy, the president will refer to certain “other people my age” who see “an American story of resentment, revenge and retribution.”  

Biden’s remarks are months in the making. The drafting, editing and rehearsals were in full force over the weekend at Camp David, and the president did a full run-through this afternoon with aides at the White House, who fueled their day with Andy’s pizza. 

While last-minute minor edits are possible, the White House official said the speech was mostly finalized by this afternoon. 

 The reason? “He knows what he wants to say,” the official said.