From Fox News: A growing number of Democrats are trying to divert attention away from President Donald Trump’s State of the Union address on Tuesday through their absences amid a limited set of options for peaceably voicing their displeasure with the administration.
A number of Democrats will instead attend the “People’s State of the Union” event held near the Lincoln Memorial.
The event, described as a rally, is organized by MeidasTouch and MoveOn Civic Action, a pair of left-leaning media and activist groups, and will focus on criticisms of Trump’s first year back in office.
The event will draw senators like Ed Markey, D-Mass., Jeff Merkley, D-Ore., Chris Murphy, D-Conn., Chris Van Hollen, D-Md., and Tina Smith, D-Minn.
Smith sneered, “I’ve been to Trump’s State of the Unions before and really don’t need to go again. He uses his speeches to pillory his political enemies and spread lies – not to mention they’re long and boring.”
“Instead, I’ll be on the National Mall where we’ll heave a far more truthful discussion about how this Administration is making it harder for Americans to afford their lives and feel safe in their neighborhoods.”
Instead, I’ll be on the National Mall where we’ll heave a far more truthful discussion about how this Administration is making it harder for Americans to afford their lives and feel safe in their neighborhoods. pic.twitter.com/1u60qvFLch
— Tina Smith (@SenTinaSmith) February 23, 2026
Several House Democrats are also planning to attend the far-left event, including Reps. Yassamin Ansari, D-Ariz., Becca Balint, D-Vt., Greg Casar, D-Texas, Veronica Escobar, D-Texas, Pramila Jayapal, D-Wash., John Larson, D-Conn., Sydney Kamlager-Dove, D-Calif., Delia Ramirez, D-Ill., Sara Jacobs, D-Calif., Emily Randall, D-Wash., Maxwell Frost, D-Fla., Robert Garcia, D-Calif., Ruben Gallego, D-Ariz., and Bonnie Watson Coleman, D-N.J.
Some Democrats have declared they are just going to stay home, including Sen. Ruben Gallego, D-Ariz., and Rep. Jared Golden, D-Maine.
Liberal reporter Scott MacFarlane announced, “At least 40 Congressional Democrats are skipping Trump’s State of the Union tonight. The number is rising.”
At least 40 Congressional Democrats are skipping Trump’s State of the Union tonight
The number is rising
— Scott MacFarlane (@MacFarlaneNews) February 24, 2026
Frost, a radical progressive, announced on Monday, “Tomorrow, I will not be attending the State of the Union. Instead, I’ll be at the People’s State of the Union, because while this administration may desperately try to suppress the opposition and consolidate authoritarian power, it cannot silence the truth or the people determined to share it. History has shown us that when We the People Organize, we win.”
Tomorrow, I will not be attending the State of the Union.
Instead, I’ll be at the People’s State of the Union, because while this administration may desperately try to suppress the opposition and consolidate authoritarian power, it cannot silence the truth or the people… pic.twitter.com/haSmEXNGOZ
— Congressman Maxwell Alejandro Frost (@RepMaxwellFrost) February 24, 2026
House Speaker Mike Johnson slammed the boycotting Democrats, saying, “For all these theatrics… it doesn’t matter how many little gatherings they have or where they stand or how high the volume is on the microphones, they have nothing to offer. Nothing but their TDS agenda – Trump Derangement Syndrome – it’s on full display.”
“It’s the same tired playbook that they’ve run for a decade now. It’s shameful that they would boycott an address. We don’t do that. Republicans don’t do that. It doesn’t matter if the president is from the opposing party — we don’t skip out. Our constituents want and need us to be here. Every member of this House represents more than 750,000 people. They’re disenfranchised if you’re not sitting in your seat to fulfill the role and responsibility of Congress,” Johnson said.
🚨 BREAKING: Speaker Johnson EVISCERATES the Democrats for pathetically hosting *5* counter-events to BOYCOTT President Trump’s SOTU address tonight
“They have NOTHING to offer! All they do is SHUT DOWN the government and OBSTRUCT!” 🔥
“It doesn’t matter how many little… pic.twitter.com/dxvTXTrmT7
— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) February 24, 2026
Conservatives are blasting the stunt as a disgrace, but say they won’t miss the Democrats at all.
“Maybe there will be room for some patriotic Americans who can use their seats to let them see a real address,” wrote X user Jim.
“No one will miss any of them and the State of The Union Address will be a better place without them🇺🇸🙏🇺🇸,” another person wrote.
Political commentator David Freeman wrote, “Hey Democrats, Some of you are posting that you are skipping this year’s State of The Union address, good! Last year when you didn’t stand for a child with cancer, you showed how evil you fcks really are. So… Thank you for not coming. Sincerely, Real Americans.”
Hey Democrats,
Some of you are posting that you are skipping this year’s State of The Union address, good!
Last year when you didn’t stand for a child with cancer, you showed how evil you fcks really are.
So… Thank you for not coming.
Sincerely,
Real Americans.— Gunther Eagleman™ (@GuntherEagleman) February 21, 2026
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