Bold claim: Democrats are planning a bold rebuke of President Trump’s State of the Union, opting for a mass boycott and a parallel rally to shift the spotlight away from the president. And this is the part most people miss: the strategy aims to transform a traditional presidential address into a platform for personal stories about the real-world impact of policies.
Democrats are preparing a counter-movement to Trump’s State of the Union by organizing a large gathering on the National Mall called the “People’s State of the Union,” while many members intend to skip the formal speech inside the House chamber. The rally is being coordinated by MoveOn, a progressive advocacy group, alongside MeidasTouch, a media-focused progressive organization. It will feature lawmakers alongside ordinary Americans—focusing on individuals who have felt the effects of the administration’s economic and health policies, as well as federal workers who lost jobs, and immigrants targeted by policies. Liberal commentators Joy Reid and Katie Phang will host.
Senator Chris Murphy of Connecticut likens Trump’s address to a fabrication-filled performance that lacks dignity, arguing that the administration’s presentation won’t deserve a standard audience inside Congress. He notes that Trump may use the moment to spread misinformation and to portray his opponents in a negative light, which is why he preferred the alternative event and a focused, people-centered narrative instead.
Senator Chris Van Hollen of Maryland, who attended last year’s address but left before the end, will not attend this year, emphasizing that he cannot participate in normalizing the moment as Trump advances a controversial agenda. He argues that countering the rhetoric with a people-centered, factual emphasis is essential to defend constitutional norms and democratic values.
The precise number of Democratic members who will attend the formal address remains uncertain. Some lawmakers worry that a large-scale boycott could leave Trump with a only-sympathetic audience inside the chamber. Nevertheless, many party members are opting to join the alternative event, while others plan to walk out during the speech and head to the rally instead.
Representative Hakeem Jeffries of New York, the House Democratic leader, has urged colleagues to either stay silently through the speech or stay away entirely, arguing that attending could turn the chamber into a stage for distraction. He suggested his own attendance is still a possibility, noting the sentiment of not letting anyone push them off their ground.
Several notable Democrats—Senators Edward Markey (MA) and Tina Smith (MN) and Representatives Becca Balint (VT), Greg Casar (TX), Pramila Jayapal (WA), and Delia Ramirez (IL)—have already indicated they will skip the formal address to participate in the alternative event. Additional lawmakers are expected to join the walkout as Trump continues to speak.
Supporters of the rally argue that Trump’s remarks are likely to mislead the public and push a negative narrative about opponents. The organizers say the focus should be on the consequences of his policies and the human stories behind the numbers, highlighting the real-life impact on families and communities. They invite discussion and invite participants to share their own perspectives in the comments, underscoring that civic engagement includes evaluating government actions and speaking out when policy choices undermine democratic values.
