Karoline Leavitt says Dems ‘debilitated by TDS’ after failing to applaud US men hockey team at SOTU

WASHINGTON, DC: White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt criticized Democratic lawmakers and commentators this week.

She accused them of letting what she called ‘Trump Derangement Syndrome’ interfere with their ability to celebrate Team USA’s historic Olympic victory.

Speaking to reporters after President Donald Trump’s address to a Joint Session of Congress, Leavitt said she was ‘truly appalled’ by the reaction from some on the left.

Karoline Leavitt accuses Democrats of having ‘TDS’

The controversy centers on the president’s decision to highlight members of Team USA who secured a gold medal in international competition, the first such victory in 46 years, a reference widely compared to the 1980 “Miracle on Ice.”

“I'm truly appalled. I saw a lot of Democrat commentators today spiraling out of control, grasping at straws, trying to find any excuse to criticize President Trump's exceptional speech last night,” she said.

“It's even forced them, as you just pointed out, to turn against the great men and women who brought home gold medals for the first time in our in 46 years since the miracle on ice,” she added.

Video from the chamber showed enthusiastic applause from many Republicans, while some Democrats remained seated during portions of the recognition.

Leavitt argued that the moment should have transcended party lines. “These are great men, they're patriots, they are great athletes who represented our country at the highest level of sports.”

"They can't even root for Team USA,” she said.

Karoline Leavitt claims Democrats brain is ‘debilitated’

Leavitt claimed partisan animosity toward Trump prevented some lawmakers from participating fully in the celebration.

“The President was so proud to present them to the Joint Congress last night, both Democrats and Republicans should be able to stand up and clap for these young men who made our country so proud on the world stage,” Leavitt said.

“But unfortunately, it appears that Democrats, their brains have been so debilitated by Trump derangement syndrome that they can't even root for Team USA,” she said.

Here, Leavitt talked about the impact of TDS that was on Democrats, which prevented them from honoring the winners of a historic game. “They can't even stand when the president calls on them to do so for American citizens who they swear an oath to protect.”

The exchange highlights how even events that usually bring people together, like honoring Olympic athletes, have become entangled in the wider political divide in Washington.

Democrats have disagreed with the administration’s view, saying that staying seated during parts of a presidential speech does not show disrespect for the athletes.

Some lawmakers mentioned that their silence was directed at the president, not the players.