Democrats' SOTU boycott turns into 'big fat fail' while Trump addresses full house

Democrats who skipped President Donald Trump’s address were mocked online, with users calling their boycott a 'complete failure'
PUBLISHED FEB 25, 2026
President Donald Trump drew a full House on February 24 as Democrats’ 'People’s State of the Union' saw sparse turnout (Getty Images, X/@politico)
President Donald Trump drew a full House on February 24 as Democrats’ 'People’s State of the Union' saw sparse turnout (Getty Images, X/@politico)

WASHINGTON, DC: While President Donald Trump addressed a packed House chamber on February 24, a small group of Democratic lawmakers gathered on the National Mall for their 'People’s State of the Union.'

Despite weeks of promotion by the MeidasTouch Network and progressive groups, the boycott meant to “drain the audience” from the president instead left organizers facing rows of empty grass.



Low turnout reported at ‘People’s SOTU’

Daily Wire correspondent Brecca Stoll reported live from the National Mall and delivered a reality check during a segment with colleague Cabot Phillips. “Brecca, you're out there at this alternative State of the Union. Who goes to one of these things?” Phillips asked.

“Not many. There are probably 75 people in this crowd, and I would say 35 of them are reporters,” Stoll responded.



Progressive groups like MoveOn and MeidasTouch organized the rally, which began about 30 minutes before President Donald Trump’s speech, promising remarks from boycotting lawmakers and affected Americans. However, eyewitness accounts suggested attendance fell far short of the “massive” counterprogramming some had promoted.

Social media roasts Democrats over boycott flop

Democrats who skipped the House chamber were widely mocked on social media. “Man that Democrat boycott was a big fat fail, you don’t even notice they’re gone lol,” one user posted on X.

“Their little boycott press conference was super cringe too,” another wrote. “Looks like a conference room at the Holiday Inn,” someone else quipped.

“LOL this is devastating for Democrats A tiny minority, meanwhile Trump is absolutely crushing it,” a comment read. “Translation: the event was a complete failure,” another added.











Inside the Capitol, President Donald Trump delivered his address to a full chamber, with Republicans cheering his remarks on the economy, border policy and foreign affairs. Vice President JD Vance and Speaker Mike Johnson stood behind him as his family watched from the gallery.

U.S. President Donald Trump delivers the State of the Union address during a joint session of Congress in the House Chamber at the Capitol on February 24, 2026 in Washington, DC. Trump delivered his address days after the Supreme Court struck down the administration's tariff strategy, and amid a U.S. military buildup in the Persian Gulf threatening Iran. (Kenny Holston-Pool/Getty Images)
President Donald Trump delivers the State of the Union address during a joint session of Congress in the House Chamber at the Capitol on February 24, 2026, in Washington, DC (Kenny Holston-Pool/Getty Images)

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.

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