Democrats reacted to President Donald Trump’s record-setting State of the Union address Tuesday, saying he was not putting America first.
Some lawmakers shared their thoughts on the speech on Capitol Hill in real time on social media, while an official response was led by Virginia Governor Abigail Spanberger.
“Trump claims to be ‘America First’ but he’s spent his presidency more focused on Argentina, Venezuela, and Greenland than he has on the economic pain that Americans are facing,” California U.S. Representative Zoe Lofgren posted to X.
Spanberger asked American families directly if they felt Trump was working for them, if costs remained high in housing, energy and health care.
“Three questions. Is the president working to make life more affordable for you and your family? Is the president working to keep Americans safe, both at home and abroad? Is the president working for you?” Spanberger asked the audience at home Tuesday night.
Why It Matters
Trump’s State of the Union included familiar messages on his record pertaining to immigration, crime, the economy and foreign policy, with the GOP praising him and his administration for what the party and its supporters see as a year marking the start of a “golden age” for the U.S. By contrast, Democrats have said the administration is failing to deliver on campaign promises, and that Americans are not reaping the benefits of current policy.
What To Know
The president on Tuesday night delivered the longest State of the Union address in U.S. history—about an hour and 47 minutes—with Spanberger taking to the podium in Williamsburg, Virginia, shortly after to deliver the official Democratic Party rebuttal.
Spanberger, in a speech lasting roughly 20 minutes, repeatedly told viewers that Trump was not seeking to deliver for all Americans.
“In his speech tonight, the president did what he always does. He lied, he scapegoated and he distracted. And he offered no real solutions to our nation’s pressing challenges, so many of which he is actively making worse. He tries to divide us. He tries to enrage us, to pit us against one another, neighbor against neighbor,” the governor said.
Spanberger, who won her position in November, accused the president and his administration of failing to deliver on promises of affordability and a safer immigration system.
“Small businesses have suffered. Farmers have suffered, some losing entire markets,” Spanberger said. “Every day, Americans are paying the price. And even though the Supreme Court struck these tariffs down four days ago, the damage to us, the American people, has already been done.“
Other Democrats also questioned Trump’s message on affordability, with House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries of New York referring to Trump’s day one promise of lowering costs and asking, “Is your life more affordable?”
Immigration was also a divider between Republicans and Democrats, with Trump’s repetition of a secure southern border gaining loud applause from members of his party, while those across the aisle questioned the tactics of the Department of Homeland Security.
While Trump has often spoken of putting “America first,” his speech did include multiple references to world affairs, including Ukraine and Venezuela, with Democrats pointing out that these topics were not about putting U.S. citizens first.
What People Are Saying
Democratic Governors Association Chair and Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear, in a statement: “While prices continue to rise and Americans struggle to pay their bills, this President remains solely focused on bringing chaos and division to our nation. Instead of helping families get ahead, Trump’s big ugly bill is ripping away health care and food assistance, his reckless tariffs are driving up costs, and his administration’s dangerous immigration tactics are creating an American body count.”
Mark Kelly, Arizona Democratic U.S. senator, on X: “Every time Trump talks about lowering health care costs, remember this: he raised premiums and kicked people off Medicaid — all to pay for tax cuts for billionaires and millionaires. You can’t claim to lower costs while making seniors and families pay more.”
Elizabeth Warren, Massachusetts Democratic U.S. senator, on X: “It’s been an hour and half and Donald Trump hasn’t said a single thing about child care.”
Gavin Newsom, California Democratic governor, on X: “Donald Trump is destroying our country.”
DNC Chair Ken Martin, in a statement: “At the State of the Union, a president with a 36% approval rating spent 107 desperate minutes trying to convince us he’s good at his job. Yet by every measure, he is a stunning failure, and Americans are no longer buying what he’s selling …
“Trump promised a ‘Golden Age’ for America. Instead, he’s violated civil liberties and freedoms, ignored the Constitution, and sent masked federal agents into our communities to kick down doors without real warrants, lock up toddlers, and even kill American citizens. Costs, corruption, and chaos. Donald Trump has taken the State of our Union to an all-time low.”
What Happens Next
Democrats will likely seek to use the State of the Union address to appeal further to voters as the midterms approach in November, while Trump has promised to continue pushing his policy agenda forward.
