Embattled US President Donald Trump delivers his biggest speech of the year Tuesday, a State of the Union address designed to sell his economic record to a skeptical and fiercely divided America. Trump's maiden address to the country - last year, he delivered a primetime speech that was technically only to Congress - presents a once-in-a-year opportunity for the president to mend his sunken approval ratings.

As many as 40 million are expected to tune in when he takes to the floor of the House of Representatives just after 9:00 pm (0200 GMT). "It's a big speech, an important speech," Trump said Monday, teasing his remarks. Over the years, the event has lost some of its influence, but it can shape public debate for weeks to come.

Copyright Agence France-Presse, 2018