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Democrats Boycott Trump’s State of the Union Address

2/18/2026

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Summary

Story summary

Democrats will boycott the State of the Union address by U.S. President Donald Trump on February 24, 2026.
Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) says attending would normalize Donald Trump’s actions, which he believes threaten democracy.
Senators Ed Markey (D-Mass.) and Tina Smith (D-Minn.) will attend a rally organized by MoveOn and MeidasTouch instead.
This marks a shift from previous years, when opposition members typically attended the address.

History

Historical Context

In January 2018, several Democratic lawmakers, including Senator Chuck Schumer, boycotted President Trump's State of the Union address, citing his divisive rhetoric and a growing partisan divide, with 81% of Democrats disapproving of his presidency. This marked a significant departure from historical norms, where opposition parties typically attended to show unity, highlighting the increasing polarization in American politics.

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Story summary

Democrats will boycott the State of the Union address by U.S. President Donald Trump on February 24, 2026.
Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) says attending would normalize Donald Trump’s actions, which he believes threaten democracy.
Senators Ed Markey (D-Mass.) and Tina Smith (D-Minn.) will attend a rally organized by MoveOn and MeidasTouch instead.
This marks a shift from previous years, when opposition members typically attended the address.

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