Story perspectives

Democrats Plan Boycott of Trump’s State of the Union

2/24/2026

Summary

Story summary

A significant number of Democratic lawmakers will boycott the State of the Union address on February 24, 2026.
They will attend the counter-rally "People's State of the Union" on the National Mall.
Senators Chris Murphy and Chris Van Hollen have said they will not legitimize U.S. President Donald Trump's speech due to concerns about democracy.
Abigail Jackson, White House spokesperson, criticized the boycott, emphasizing the benefits of Republican policies.

History

Historical Context

The 2016 State of the Union address saw President Obama facing a boycott from Republican lawmakers amid significant partisan divides, with a reported 60% disapproval rating for his policies. This tension resurfaced in 2018 when several Democratic representatives, including John Lewis and Maxine Waters, boycotted President Trump's address, protesting his rhetoric and actions, highlighting ongoing struggles over political legitimacy in the U.S.

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Story summary

A significant number of Democratic lawmakers will boycott the State of the Union address on February 24, 2026.
They will attend the counter-rally "People's State of the Union" on the National Mall.
Senators Chris Murphy and Chris Van Hollen have said they will not legitimize U.S. President Donald Trump's speech due to concerns about democracy.
Abigail Jackson, White House spokesperson, criticized the boycott, emphasizing the benefits of Republican policies.

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