Robert De Niro attends ‘State of the Swamp’ counter-event during Trump’s SOTU address
WASHINGTON, DC: Actor Robert De Niro took part in the 'State of the Swamp' event, held at the same time as Donald Trump’s State of the Union (SOTU) address. The program served as a counter-speech and took place while the president addressed a joint session of Congress about the country’s challenges and his plans.
De Niro headlined the event. Other well-known names on the lineup included actor Mark Ruffalo and former CNN broadcaster Jim Acosta. The event was organized by the anti-Trump group Defiance.org, along with the Portland Frog Brigade and media group Courier. Meanwhile, several leaders, actors, and public figures attended Trump’s SOTU address.
Robert De Niro attends anti-Trump SOTU counter-event
The 'Godfather' actor attended the 'State of the Swamp' event on Tuesday, February 24. The event’s name uses a frog as a symbol of protest and references the idea of Washington being described as a political “swamp.” Organizers said the program was intended to speak out against what they characterize as the Trump administration.
As reported by People USA, nearly 50 Democratic members of the House and Senate skipped the State of the Union. Some attended other events instead, including the 'People’s State of the Union' and the 'State of the Swamp.'
A glimpse of the mood at the counter "state of the swamp" SOTU panel pic.twitter.com/91G7f9iGiq
— Joseph Gedeon (@JGedeon1) February 25, 2026
The lineup included Steve Bullock, Ron Wyden, Eric Swalwell, Seth Moulton, Dan Goldman, Eugene Vindman, Joe Walsh, Stacey Abrams, George Conway, Joyce Vance, Marianne Williamson, Glenn Kirschner, Mehdi Hasan, LaTosha Brown, Stephanie Grisham, and Miles Taylor.
Additional names listed were Tara McGowan, Baratunde Thurston, Sue Gordon, Wajahat Ali, Norm Eisen, Steve Schmidt, Charlie Sykes, Rashad Robinson, Olivia Troye, Asha Rangappa, Brian Karem, Robby Roadsteamer, and Lisandra Vazquez.
What is 'State of the Swamp'?
Speaking about the 'State of the Swamp,' organizers called on attendees to show up in green or frog-themed clothing. They said the outfits are “a symbol of peaceful defiance and civic participation.”
In a February 17 statement, the team behind the event described it as a live counter-address. They said it is “focused on defying Donald Trump's abuses of power, including officials who previously advised Trump.”
The frog symbol has been used in protests against Trump before. It gained wider attention last year after a federal agent sprayed a protester in a frog costume during an October rally. After that, people wore frog costumes outside an ICE office in Portland. The frog was also seen at “No King’s Day” protests across the country.
“This is not a protest or a watch party,” Defiance.org co-founder Miles Taylor said in the statement. “It's a live, public rebuttal.” Organizers added that the program featured live music, satire, speeches, and direct calls to action.
