"I am not looking for an alternative venue for the SOTU Address," the president tweeted.
ADVERTISEMENTPresident Donald Trump late Wednesday announced he would not hold a State of the Union address until after the partial government shutdown, now in its fifth week, is over.
The announcement made shortly after 11 p.m. seemingly puts to rest a dispute between the president and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., over whether the address would be held.
Pelosi said in a letter earlier Wednesday that the Democratic-controlled House "will not consider a concurrent resolution authorizing the president's State of the Union address in the House chamber until the government has opened."
Trump said on Twitter: "As the Shutdown was going on, Nancy Pelosi asked me to give the State of the Union Address. I agreed. She then changed her mind because of the Shutdown, suggesting a later date. This is her prerogative - I will do the Address when the Shutdown is over."
The president is not allowed to speak in the chamber, the traditional spot for the State of the Union address, unless the House and Senate pass a resolution allowing him to do so.
Pelosi had initially invited Trump to give the speech later this month, but she sent him a letter last week asking him to delay his remarks or submit them in writing. She cited concerns over security because of the partial government shutdown, which affects the Department of Homeland Security.
Earlier Wednesday, Trump said, "The State of the Union speech has been canceled by Nancy Pelosi because she doesn't want to hear the truth. She doesn't want the American public to hear what's going on."
"Great blotch on the incredible country we that all love. Great, great horrible mark," Trump said.
Asked if he'd be giving a speech Tuesday night, the president responded that an announcement would be forthcoming soon.
The government has been partially shut down since Dec. 22, in a dispute over Trump's demand that Congress provide $5.7 billion in funding for a wall along the U.S.-Mexico border.