Donald Trump to address United States citizens in address

All signs point to Donald Trump delivering a record-breaking State of the Union speech – when it comes to duration, anyway.

The president is not known for his brevity at the best of times, and he has already promised a “long speech” because there’s “a lot to talk about”.

All indications from the White House and elsewhere are that the speech could go for two to three hours.

“God help us,” said Democratic Senate leader Chuck Schumer.

In last year’s address to Congress – which was technically not a State of the Union – Trump set a new record for such speeches, speaking for 100 minutes. He seems intent on smashing his own record tonight.

Pity those of us – this correspondent included – who will be STANDING in the press gallery for the entirety of this oration.

A thoughtful Congress staffer just advised journalists in the gallery to get something to eat now because “at midnight, you’ll be wishing you had”.

That’s advice I am now going to take.