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senseandsensibility

(24,618 posts)
Fri Feb 20, 2026, 02:59 PM Friday

Dems must boycott the SOTU speech now more than ever

I don't care if it's not a panacea for all the problems we face. As unions have learned, UNITY OF ACTION is extremely powerful. The SOTU will be nothing but off the charts crazy attacks and LIES about the Supreme Court, Democrats, and the economy. Why should Dems sit there and listen to it? Really. Why?

Yes, holding an alternative event would be even better. Send a message, Dems. Your attendance is not mandatory, and by giving it you are showing respect for authoritarianism and propaganda. Is that the message you want to send your base? I assure you that such a message will not be well received.

18 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
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eppur_se_muova

(41,517 posts)
1. I want the SOTU to last for as long as Trmp thinks necessary. Let the networks cut him off.
Fri Feb 20, 2026, 03:22 PM
Friday

As people head into bars in the evening, they'll either see the PEDOTUS still ranting on the TV, or hear talking heads commenting on "well, the President is still threatening to bomb NATO". Even if they've got a game to broadcast, they'll probably feature Commander Demento in a picture-in-picture view. A lot of Americans don't pay much attention to the news, but if this guy is still gibbering at 11PM EST a lot of people are going to suddenly notice it's time to have a Family Meeting About Grandpa.

senseandsensibility

(24,618 posts)
3. Oh yeah, let him melt down in as public a way as possible
Fri Feb 20, 2026, 03:25 PM
Friday

but if the Dems sit there in the audience they will become part of the show and signal business as usual. Let him be the focus.

Wednesdays

(22,168 posts)
8. There are at least two alternatives to the SOTU scheduled
Fri Feb 20, 2026, 03:30 PM
Friday

(starting) 7:00 p.m. EST “State of the Swamp”
At the National Press Club, Washington, D.C.
Lots of celebrity guests will speak. Live streaming event.
https://www.defiance.org/sotu

(starting) 8:00 p.m. EST “People’s State of the Union”
Sponsored by moveon.org
Lots of lawmakers who will boycott Trump’s speech will participate. Live streaming event.
https://www.mobilize.us/moveon/event/903012/

senseandsensibility

(24,618 posts)
11. Important info and I support these efforts
Fri Feb 20, 2026, 04:15 PM
Friday

but we need a unified boycott. Some attending, some not does not send the same message.

yaesu

(9,179 posts)
9. If they don't have the spine to disrupt tRumps liefest than they damn well better skip it
Fri Feb 20, 2026, 03:33 PM
Friday

For the good of humanity.

tritsofme

(19,861 posts)
13. That seems like a terrible idea to me. He'd get to bask in the optics of a full crowd and unanimous applause.
Fri Feb 20, 2026, 04:25 PM
Friday

I’m sure Trump would much prefer the chamber ridden of Democrats. You’re not denying him a crowd, it just removes the contrast.

senseandsensibility

(24,618 posts)
14. Let him own it.
Fri Feb 20, 2026, 06:18 PM
Friday

That's my opinion. Being there makes the Dems complicit. We must try to use his dishonesty and wild behavior against him in the midterms. If his audience is made up only of Rs clapping at his every crazy lie, they own it. And it will be newsworthy that for the first time ever a SOTU is being given to only one party. Gets people's attention and gives Dems a platform to explain why.

senseandsensibility

(24,618 posts)
16. That's my second choice!
Fri Feb 20, 2026, 06:41 PM
Friday

Much preferable to attending and sitting quietly as part of the "show". I'm afraid though that what we are going to get is some attending, some not, and no one from our side willing to heckle him in any way.

Buckeyeblue

(6,316 posts)
17. I think not showing up makes it easy on him
Fri Feb 20, 2026, 07:17 PM
Friday

They need to be there. Maybe be boisterous. Try to rattle him a little bit. I'm sure he'll be bat shit crazy as normal.

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