Donald Trump is heading to his third State of the Union address at the U.S. Capitol on Tuesday night amid the impeachment clouds that still hang over the president.

Democrats have lost the impeachment fight as Trump's acquittal is now almost a sure bet. However, they can still claim a victory for pushing the final vote to Wednesday.

Both Trump's former White House adviser Steve Bannon and Republican Senator Jim Banks have urged Trump to delay the address until after the impeachment trial ends saying the whole world will watch the address so a unifying speech is needed.

"Well, it's going to become awkward, isn't it?" Republican Senator John Cornyn said. "To be the president giving the State of the Union in a chamber where he's just been charged with high crimes and misdemeanors?" 

But not all Republicans agree that the speech should be delayed.

"Even if he is yet to be exonerated over in the Senate, it's going to be viewed as a president who has been harassed and falsely accused from the day he entered into office – actually, prior to that, prior to the inauguration," North Carolina Republican Mark Meadows said.

"I don't know that it's going to matter. The Democrats are going to still sit on their hands when he says something that everybody should applaud. They're going to continue to sit there on their hands as they've done every other State of the Union address that he's made," he added.

What's next for impeachment trial?

The U.S. Senate voted on Friday against calling witnesses and collecting new evidence in the trial, clearing the way for Trump's almost certain acquittal.

The trial was due to resume on Monday at 11 a.m. (1600 GMT) with Chief Justice John Roberts presiding. There will be four hours of closing arguments by the House impeachment managers and White House lawyers

The trial will then be recessed and the Senate will hold a regular session to hear speeches from senators on whether Trump should be convicted or acquitted. Roberts will not be present for this session.

On Tuesday, speeches by senators will continue until Trump delivers his State of the Union address to both chambers of the U.S. Congress at 9 p.m. (0200 GMT Wednesday).

The trial resumes with a final vote expected on the acquittal or conviction of the Republican president by 4 p.m. (2100 GMT) on Wednesday.

A two-thirds Senate majority is required to remove Trump and none of the chamber's 53 Republicans have indicated they will vote to convict.

A speech of relentless optimism

Trump is not the first president to deliver a State of the Union address under impeachment circumstances. Two decades ago, President Bill Clinton addressed a nation in the middle of his own trial.

Clinton didn't mention impeachment at all during his more than 78-minute speech. However, no one expects Trump to follow the Clinton model by ignoring the elephant in the room – especially since he now appears likely to be acquitted the day after the speech and faces a looming presidential election.

A senior administration official told reporters that the theme of the State of the Union is the great American comeback and the president will lay out a vision of relentless optimism.

The following is a quick preview of what Trump may address in the speech:

–     Impeachment

Asked if the speech would mention impeachment-related topics, the official said it depends on whether the final vote has happened, adding that the speech could change up to the last minute.

"The president's always adaptable to speak to the moment as required."

Clinton's strategy regarding impeachment was to ignore while Trump is the opposite. He has repeatedly voiced his anger at the trial on Twitter.

He may spend a substantial amount of time expressing his rage and warning Republican Senators to make the "right" vote on Wednesday.

–       Re-election

As the president is eyeing re-election in November, he cannot lose this chance to trumpet his campaign.

It's a direct chance to impress domestic audiences; the 2019 State of Union Address attracted 46.8 million viewers across the U.S.

Hence analysts said the president is likely to shape the address with a mix of governance ideas and campaign manifesto.

–      Domestic Policy

U.S. voters cast their ballots more over domestic than foreign policy. Listing his domestic triumphs in the address is a good way for Trump to attract votes.

The senior administration official said that the central focal points of the speech would be U.S. economic gains as well as the Trump administration's policies with respect to health care, immigration and national security. 

Mirroring last year's address, Trump this year would still relentlessly tout his successful economic achievements. He may mention the phase one trade deal with China and the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) he signed into law last week.

He could continue talking about his Mexican border wall plan and his health care policies as well. Topics of cutting tax, ending the opioid crisis and protecting the environment are also likely to be covered.

–        Foreign Policy

Fancying himself as a master negotiator and "dealmaker," Trump may also show off "breakthroughs" in foreign affairs.

The National Interest magazine suggested Trump use the State of the Union speech to change course on the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK).

Nothing new was achieved between the two countries in 2019 although their leaders met twice. The DPRK has repeatedly urged the U.S. to return to the negotiation table with a new plan. It's time for Trump to explain his government's policy towards the DPRK in 2020.

The president will likely have more to say on the Middle East situation. He could pitch the killings of Iranian general Qasem Soleimani and ISIL leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi as regional breakthroughs as well as his much-delayed Middle East plan, which has only won full support from Israel.

Analysts expect that Trump will say less on foreign policy this year as the election draws closer.

(With input from agencies)