In a move that reflected the party’s divisions, Democrats offered a range of responses to President Donald Trump’s Feb. 24 State of the Union address.
Some skipped Trump’s speech or attended alternate events. Others spoke out in opposition to Trump’s words.
Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger delivered the party’s official response, emphasizing the burden of rising costs on American families and safety concerns about federal immigration enforcement.
Rep. Al Green, D-Texas, was escorted from the chambers after holding up a large sign that said, “Black people aren’t apes,” referencing a video Trump recently posted on Truth Social depicting President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama as apes. Green was similarly removed during Trump’s 2025 address to Congress after protesting the president’s speech.
At another point, Rep. Ilhan Omar, D-Minn., shouted at Trump, accusing him of killing Americans, referring to the shooting deaths of two U.S. citizens in her state, Renee Good and Alex Pretti, by federal immigration agents.
Several other lawmakers wore pins that read “release the files” in reference to documents related to the late sex-offender Jeffery Epstein.
Many Democrats attended events organized by liberal groups elsewhere in Washington, D.C.
The advocacy group MoveOn and left-leaning media outlet MeidasTouch planned a rally they dubbed the “People’s State of the Union.” Gathered on the National Mall, attendees spoke about immigration policy and the Epstein files. Several senators and U.S. representatives spoke.
Pro-democracy, anti-Trump advocacy group Defiance.org hosted another eventwith speakers including lawmakers and mayors whose cities have been targets of Trump’s immigration crackdowns. The event was dubbed the “State of the Swamp,” and many guests sported frog-themed hats and headbands — a reference to the peaceful protest movement known as the Portland Frog Brigademembers of whom were in attendance.
We fact-checked some of the Democrats’ Feb. 24 remarks.
Spanberger: Trump’s policies “have forced American families to pay more than $1,700 each in tariff costs.”
Estimates vary, but research supports this number.
Spanberger’s office pointed to research from the Democrats on Congress’ Joint Economic Committee, which estimated that the average U.S. household has paid about $1,745 in tariff costs from February 2025 to January.
Other groups estimated lower tariff burdens, from $1,000 per household to $1,230 per household.
One group’s figure was higher than Spanberger’s: In August, the National Taxpayers’ Union estimated that tariffs added $2,048 to U.S. households’ tax burden.
Spanberger: “Rural health clinics in Virginia and across the country are already closing their doors” because of Trump’s signature One Big Beautiful Bill Act.
This is accurate.
On Sept. 4, 2025, two months after Trump signed the bill into law, Virginia health care company Augusta Medical Group announced it was closing three rural clinics. The company said its consolidation was part of its “ongoing response to the One Big Beautiful Bill Act and the resulting realities for healthcare delivery.”
Other companies have closed locations or consolidated servicessaying the changes followed physician shortages and recent congressional cuts to Medicaid.
Trump’s tax and spending law is expected to reduce federal Medicaid spending in rural areas by at least $137 billion by 2034, according to an analysis by KFFa health policy research organization. The Congressional Budget Office predicts the law will raise the number of uninsured patients by 10 million by 2034.
Rural health facilities disproportionately rely on Medicaid reimbursement to stay afloat. In 2023, 40.6% of children and 18.3% of adults under age 65 from rural areas and small towns were enrolled in Medicaid.
Trump’s tax and spending law includes the Rural Health Transformation Program, a one-time $50 billion investment in rural health funding. But the new funding source will not offset what rural health facilities lose from the Medicaid cuts.
Connecticut Sen. Chris Murphy: “Millions of Americans are losing their health care.”
Early data supports Murphy’s figure, which he cited while speaking at the “People’s State of the Union” rally.
On Jan. 1, enhanced tax credits that helped reduce health care costs for most people purchasing insurance through Affordable Care Act marketplaces expired. KFF estimated that premium costs would more than double in 2026 for Affordable Care Act enrollees. Anecdotal reports show some people have dropped their insurance, citing rising costs.
Health analysts and the Congressional Budget Office reported that the subsidies’ expiration would cause rising costs that would trigger millions of Americans to forgo health insurance coverage. Early Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services data signals that about 1.5 million people may have dropped their insurance in 2026.
