Here are some of the guests who represent the themes of tonight's State of the Union

President Biden hugs Steven Hadfield during an event on prescription drug costs at the White House on Aug. 29, 2023. Hadfield, whose prescription costs were dramatically lowered by Biden's signature Inflation Reduction Act, is among the White House guests for Thursday night's State of the Union address. (Evan Vucci/AP)

A gospel singer and civil rights activist known as "the Voice of Selma," the prime minister of Sweden and a middle school teacher whose student loan debt was forgiven — these are some of the people who will be special guests at tonight's State of the Union address.

It's part of the annual tradition for the White House to invite guests who bring to life the themes of the presidential speech.