Designated survivor: The person who will lead America if tragedy hits the State of the Union

The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. “Sometimes the designated survivor is chosen based on, ‘Are their programs or policies going to be a highlight of the State of the Union?’” Favreau told the website. Former US Attorney General Alberto Gonzales, who was the designated survivor during George W Bush’s State of the Union address in 2007, discussed the experience with NewsNation on Thursday ahead of Biden’s own speech. The designated survivor isn’t always the person who would become president in the event of a disaster during the State of the Union. Back in 2010, according to the American Presidency Project, Shaun Donovan, the then-Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, was the designated survivor during President Barack Obama’s address.