Here's the only thing you need to take away from Trump's speech to Congress
Anyone watching President Trump address Congress Tuesday night had to be shocked by the way some Democrats conducted themselves. “High school with paychecks” is how I’d describe it. Presidential addresses are beginning to resemble more the studio audience of "Let’s Make a Deal" than anything close to a dignified event.
Throughout the evening, one thing became abundantly clear: Democrats have learned absolutely nothing from their decisive election loss.
Republicans are not guilt-free in the heckling department. Former Rep. Joe Wilson (R-S.C.) was a pioneer in this regard when, in 2009, he yelled “You lie!” while President Obama talked about his health care plan.
That almost seems quaint now. Last night, 77-year-old Rep. Al Green (D-Texas) virtually personified today's Democratic Party when he waved his cane, screaming like a crazy man, and had to be tossed out the House Chamber.
Many more Democrats couldn’t be bothered to show up. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) announced that she would being doing an Instagram live about the speech from home. Many of those Democrats who did show waived paddles with protest words on them, reminiscent of the “up twinkles” from the Occupy Wall Street era.
Of those who did show, the women wore pink. Why? To show solidarity with — well, each other, I guess. If Democratic women wanted to show any love for women, they could have voted in favor of protecting girls in their sports leagues and in the intimacy of their locker rooms from intrusions by boys and men. They could have protected women's scholarships and physical wellbeing as well. Not one single female Democrat did so. But by all means, do dress up.
As for the speech, it was exactly what you would expect, provided you got your news from places not named MSNBC or the New York Times.
Trump bragged about the border being more secure than it has been in decades, with ICE encounters hitting low numbers not seen this century — 8,326 in February compared to 140,641 in February of last year. It was met with the cheers you’d expect from people who want a secure border, Republicans, and silence or jeers from those Democrats, who, when they had a choice, deliberately inflicted upon the nation the chaos of open borders.
Trump hyped the economy and his efforts to cut waste. His talk of peace in Ukraine was met with groans and grumbles. All the things you’ve come to expect from the left — Trump might as well have written their script.
It is clear that Democrats learned nothing from the election and its aftermath. They genuinely believe they have a messaging problem, not an issues problem.
To listen to anything the left conjures up — whether it be a presser by House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) or a Rachel Maddow monologue — you come away with the idea that Democrats truly believe their positions on issues are popular with the American public. They are willing to die on even the most absurd hill, as their 45 to zero Senate vote against female athletes confirmed this week.
In the face of all the evidence to the contrary, Democrats believe they simply haven’t figured out the right code to use when talking about the issues. If only those rubes had known how good they had it under Joe Biden! If only they weren't too stupid to figure out on their own that they secretly agree with Democrats!
Maybe if we just astroturf their town halls, like in 2017? Maybe if we all wear pink? Maybe if we don't attend?
Yet their real problem is that there is no lie they can tell that makes child genital mutilation, or men in the women's room, or unfettered and unvetted immigration seem all right. Every single poll shows Trump more trusted on the issues most important to the American people, yet they are committed to will over reality, obstinance over rationality.
If your whole world is the green room at CNN, then yes, radical progressive politics will seem popular. If you only listen to Joy Reid, Jim Acosta, Don Lemon and any of the other cable news cast-offs who simply could not attract an audience in spite of the “popularity," you would be “shocked, shocked to find that gambling is going on” in this casino.
The joke definition of insanity is to do the same thing, over and over again, expecting different results. What do you call the political commitment to losing with the same idiotic ideas again and again, no matter how unpopular they are? Progressivism.
The big takeaway from Trump’s speech to a joint session of Congress is that Democrats have learned nothing.
Derek Hunter is host of the Derek Hunter Podcast and a former staffer for the late Sen. Conrad Burns (R-Mont.).
-
Trump needs a "designated survivor" for speech to Congress. Here's how it works.
With members of the presidential line of succession in the Capitol for President Trump's speech to the joint session of Congress, a designated survivor will be named to stay away in case of a ...CBS News - 1d -
Here’s What to Watch For in Trump’s Speech to Congress
Presidents typically use these speeches to promote their accomplishments and lay out their plans. President Trump is expected to touch on Ukraine and government cuts.The New York Times - 1d -
Here’s How Democrats Are Protesting Trump’s Speech to Congress
Many Democrats are taking guests who they say have been hurt by Elon Musk’s gutting of the federal bureaucracy. Several others will skip the speech and host counterprogramming, such as live ...The New York Times - 19h -
Republican rips Democrat’s sign away as Trump walks in for speech to Congress
A House Republican and House Democrat got into a confrontation over a sign protesting President Trump before his speech to Congress had even begun. Rep. Melanie Stansbury (D-N.M.), who was standing ...The Hill - 16h -
Key takeaways from Trump's speech to Congress
President Donald Trump, six weeks into his historic return to the White House, delivered the longest joint address to Congress in history on Tuesday night.ABC News - 5h -
Trump is making his big speech to Congress. Here’s how to watch.
Tuesday night’s speech will be President Donald Trump’s first televised prime-time address since he returned to office six weeks ago.Politico - 22h -
The big takeaways from Trump's speech to Congress: From the Politics Desk
Welcome to a special edition of From the Politics Desk, where our reporters who were inside the House chamber tonight bring you the highlights from President Donald Trump’s first speech to Congress ...NBC News - 13h -
Trump and Congress — in Four Speeches
On Tuesday, President Trump will address a deeply divided Congress, whose legislative authority is now being tested by his aggressive executive orders. We look back at his evolving relationship ...The New York Times - 1d -
It’s Hard Not to Protest a Speech Like Trump’s Congress Speech
Democrats have spent weeks hand-wringing over how to respond to Trump’s machine-gunning of American institutions.The New York Times - 15h
More from The Hill
-
Fetterman on Dems protest of Trump speech: 'Only makes Trump look more presidential'
Sen. John Fetterman (D-Pa.) weighed in on the decision some of his Democratic colleagues made to protest President Trump's joint address to Congress Tuesday, suggesting it just made the commander ...The Hill - 28m -
State Department unveils visa restrictions on foreign officials in immigration crackdown
The State Department unveiled visa restrictions on foreign government officials who are thought to be responsible for aiding illegal immigration into the U.S., part of a wider effort by President ...The Hill - 33m -
Trump announces one-month delay on Canada, Mexico tariffs for automakers
President Trump on Wednesday announced a one-month exemption on tariffs against Canada and Mexico for cars following a meeting with the three major U.S. automakers. Trump spoke with the leaders of ...The Hill - 39m -
The next trade protection report should tell the US to defend intellectual property
Intellectual property, not tariffs, is the future of U.S. manufacturing.The Hill - 42m -
Democrats knock Trump adviser Habba over veteran jobs quip
Several Democrats, including some who are veterans themselves, have spoken out in opposition to President Trump’s advisor Alina Habba after she quipped about veterans not being fit for their jobs. ...The Hill - 49m
More in Politics
-
Fetterman on Dems protest of Trump speech: 'Only makes Trump look more presidential'
Sen. John Fetterman (D-Pa.) weighed in on the decision some of his Democratic colleagues made to protest President Trump's joint address to Congress Tuesday, suggesting it just made the commander ...The Hill - 28m -
State Department unveils visa restrictions on foreign officials in immigration crackdown
The State Department unveiled visa restrictions on foreign government officials who are thought to be responsible for aiding illegal immigration into the U.S., part of a wider effort by President ...The Hill - 33m -
Trump announces one-month delay on Canada, Mexico tariffs for automakers
President Trump on Wednesday announced a one-month exemption on tariffs against Canada and Mexico for cars following a meeting with the three major U.S. automakers. Trump spoke with the leaders of ...The Hill - 39m -
Trump grants one-month tariff delay for U.S. automakers
President Donald Trump continued to send mixed signals about his tariffs plan Wednesday, granting U.S. automakers a one-month reprieve on new 25% duties imposed on Canada and Mexico, while ...NBC News - 39m -
The next trade protection report should tell the US to defend intellectual property
Intellectual property, not tariffs, is the future of U.S. manufacturing.The Hill - 42m