The U.S. Capitol is seen on February 24, 2026 in Washington, DC. President Donald Trump delivers his State of the Union address during a joint session of Congress tonight at the Capitol. Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images Share on Facebook Share on X Google Preferred Share to Flipboard Show additional share options Share on LinkedIn Share on Pinterest Share on Reddit Share on Tumblr Share on Whats App Send an Email Print the Article Post a Comment When President Donald trump delivers his State of the Union address to Congress tonight, the audience will be filled with high-profile media personalities, both old and new. That includes David Ellison, the CEO of Paramount, who is seeking to pry Warner Bros. Discovery away from Netflix in a blockbuster deal; and Erika Kirk, who will be attending as Trump's guest. It also includes Nick Shirley, the controversial conservative creator whose expose of Minneapolis childcare centers sparked an entire news cycle in right-leaning media; and Kevin O'Leary, the Shark Tank host and Marty Supreme surprise. Related Stories Business Whistleblower Claims Paramount President Jeff Shell Leaked Details of $7.7 Billion UFC Deal Business Warner Bros. Discovery Says It's Reviewing Sweetened Paramount Bid Only Kirk, the widow of the late conservative activist Charlie Kirk, who was murdered last year, is attending a guest of the president. Ellison is attending as a guest of Sen. Lindsay Graham (R-SC); while O'Leary is attending as a guest of Sen. Rick Scott (R-FL). Shirley is attending as a guest of Rep. Peter Stauber (R-MN). While there are plenty of more widely-expected guests attending (NASA astronauts, the family of Jesse Jackson, survivors of Jeffrey Epstein), the media-heavy guest list underscores how the political landscape is increasingly being shaped by new power centers, from digital natives like Kirk and Shirley to new era moguls like Ellison. Ellison, of course, is in the midst of trying to steal WBD from Netflix, with the company telling investors Tuesday that it was warming to Paramount's sweetened bid, which leans heavily on its confidence that it can get the deal through regulatory approvals. Attending the SOTU as a guest of one of the most powerful Republican senators may underscore Ellison's confidence in getting a deal done. THR Newsletters Sign up for THR news straight to your inbox every day Subscribe Sign Up Health One of Eric Dane's Final Roles Was Boosting Visibility for ALS: "Used His Platform Not for Attention, But for Action" Wood Harris Mario Van Peebles, Taye Diggs Among 2026 Lexus Uptown Honors Hollywood Awardees Today Guthrie Family Explains Why $1 Million Reward Is Only Now Being Offered Weeks After Nancy's Disappearance THR, Esq Russell Brand Pleads Not Guilty to Additional Rape and Sexual Assault Charges in London Court Tourette Syndrome For the Tourette Syndrome Community, the BAFTAs Brought on a Familiar Dread-Like Feeling politics Isaac Hayes' Estate Reaches Settlement With Trump for Unauthorized Use of "Hold on, I'm Coming" Health One of Eric Dane's Final Roles Was Boosting Visibility for ALS: "Used His Platform Not for Attention, But for Action" Wood Harris Mario Van Peebles, Taye Diggs Among 2026 Lexus Uptown Honors Hollywood Awardees Today Guthrie Family Explains Why $1 Million Reward Is Only Now Being Offered Weeks After Nancy's Disappearance THR, Esq Russell Brand Pleads Not Guilty to Additional Rape and Sexual Assault Charges in London Court Tourette Syndrome For the Tourette Syndrome Community, the BAFTAs Brought on a Familiar Dread-Like Feeling politics Isaac Hayes' Estate Reaches Settlement With Trump for Unauthorized Use of "Hold on, I'm Coming"