"Doesn't Deserve Audience": Democrats Skip Trump's State Of The Union Address

Trump is giving his annual State of the Union address to a joint session of Congress where he was defending his administration's record and laying out his priorities going forward.

25 Feb 2026, 02:49 · NDTV

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About 30 Democrats skipped Trump's address to attend a People's State of the Union
Senator Chris Murphy said Trump disrespects Congress and doesn't deserve an audience
Signs at the event called for democracy protection and opposed funding for ICE

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Some 30 elected Democrats skipped President Donald Trump's address to the US Congress on Tuesday to attend a "People's State of the Union."

The president "makes a mockery of this institution and he does not deserve an audience," Senator Chris Murphy told a crowd assembled in front of the US Capitol ahead of Trump's speech.

The Republican, in his second presidential term, is giving his annual State of the Union address to a joint session of Congress where he was defending his administration's record and laying out his priorities going forward.

But those expected to speak at the alternate event, held on the National Mall, include people harmed by his first year of office: an alleged victim of sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, people whose family members have been deported, public health researchers laid off amid budget cuts.

Signs held among the audience included "Protect Our Democracy" and "No Money for ICE," the federal immigration police.

Another event, dubbed "State of the Swamp," was set to host celebrities and other Democratic politicians.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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