Sarah Huckabee Sanders, conservatives slam ‘bizarre’ Democrat SOTU counterprogramming

Sarah Huckabee Sanders said the contrast was no longer about political ideology but about what she described as 'normal vs crazy'
PUBLISHED FEB 26, 2026
Democratic protests held alongside Donald Trump’s State of the Union address drew strong criticism from conservatives, led by Sarah Huckabee Sanders, who argued the events highlighted a sharp divide between the two parties (Getty Images, X/@EndWokeness)
Democratic protests held alongside Donald Trump’s State of the Union address drew strong criticism from conservatives, led by Sarah Huckabee Sanders, who argued the events highlighted a sharp divide between the two parties (Getty Images, X/@EndWokeness)

WASHINGTON, DC: Arkansas Republican Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders, along with other conservatives, have slammed a Democratic counter event to Donald Trump’s State of the Union address that saw far-left activists, including the Portland Frog Brigade, taking to the stage dressed in animal costumes.

Democrats organized many counter-programming events, like “State of the Swamp” on Tuesday, February 24, while Trump delivered a one-hour and 48-minute long speech, which included policy achievements as well as honoring of veterans - 100-year-old Navy Captain E Royce Williams and Chief Warrant Officer Eric Slover.

Sarah Huckabee Sanders blasts Dems for 'unhinged heckles' during Trump's SOTU

Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders (D-AR) speaks during the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) at the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center on February 22, 2025 in Oxon Hill, Maryland. The annual four-day gathering brings together conservative U.S. lawmakers, international leaders, media personalities and businessmen to discuss and champion conservative ideas. (Photo by Kayla Bartkowski/Getty Images)
Gov Sarah Huckabee Sanders (D-AR) speaks during the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) at the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center on February 22, 2025 in Oxon Hill, Maryland (Kayla Bartkowski/Getty Images)

Calling out the event and the attendees, Sanders wrote on X, “The difference today isn’t between right vs left. It’s normal vs crazy.”



The 43-year-old politician also spoke with Fox News Digital, saying, “Last night, President Trump laid out a vision of a stronger, safer, more prosperous America — and the best counterargument the Democrats could provide were unhinged heckles, refusing to stand to celebrate the accomplishments of patriotic Americans, and a bizarre dress-up show.”

WASHINGTON, DC - FEBRUARY 24: U.S. President Donald Trump shakes hands with Speaker of the House Mike Johnson (R-LA) after his State of the Union address during a Joint Session of Congress at the U.S. 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. (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images)
President Donald Trump shakes hands with Speaker of the House Mike Johnson (R-LA) after his State of the Union address during a Joint Session of Congress at the U.S. Capitol on February 24, 2026, in Washington, DC (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images)

Conservatives say 'Democrats are literally hanging out with deranged Leftists'

Red State’s Jennifer Van Laar shared her thoughts as well. She posted on X, “They always want to dress in animal costumes... WTF.”



RNC Research’s criticism on social media read, “This is what Democrats are doing instead of attending President Trump's State of the Union speech. Democrats are literally hanging out with deranged Leftists dressed in giraffe costumes bragging about getting arrested by ICE.”



While Conservative commentator Riley Gaines wrote, “Who is advising the Democrats and how do we make sure they never quit?”





Actor James Woods also called out the Democrats on the microblogging site. He said, “This is not parody. This is an except from the Democrats’ so-called ‘alternative State of the Union address.’ One thing is now abundantly clear: If you are still voting Democrat, you need to have a little talk with yourself.”



“These people are weird,” GOP Senator Ted Cruz added.



As per comedian Tim Young, Democrats “don’t just hate America… they’re mentally ill.”



Abigail Spanberger claims Trump's not working for Americans

HENRICO, VIRGINIA - SEPTEMBER 19: Democratic gubernatorial candidate, former U.S. Rep. Abigail Spanberger (D-VA) addresses a small get-out-the-vote rally on the first day of early voting outside the Eastern Government Center on September 19, 2025 in Henrico, Virginia. Virginians are going to the polls to vote for governor, lieutenant governor, attorney general, all 100 seats in the state legislature and many other public offices. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
Abigail Spanberger (D-VA) addresses a small get-out-the-vote rally on the first day of early voting outside the Eastern Government Center on September 19, 2025 in Henrico, Virginia (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

Other than counterprograms, a Democratic rebuttal was also delivered. Virginia Governor Abigail Spanberger, in her rebuttal, reportedly said, “So I'll ask again, is the president working for you? We all know the answer is no.”

“But here's the special thing about America. On our 250th anniversary, we know better than any nation what is possible when ordinary citizens like those who once dreamed right here in this room reject the unacceptable and demand more of their government,” Spanberger added.

RELATED TOPICS TRUMP'S 2026 STATE OF THE UNION ADDRESS

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