Vice President JD Vance criticized Democrats who attended President Donald Trump’s State of the Union address on Tuesday, pointing out that they did not stand up when Trump called on lawmakers to show support for his statement about prioritizing American citizens over undocumented immigrants.
In an interview with America’s Newsroom on Fox News, Vance expressed disappointment in the lack of bipartisan support during the address.
During the lengthy speech, Trump made several claims that were later disputed, such as the state of the economy, the impact of tariffs, and the status of ongoing conflicts.
Democrats who chose to attend Trump’s speech instead of the alternative “People’s State of the Union” event faced criticism from the president for their lack of enthusiasm.
At one point, Trump urged legislators to stand up if they agreed with his statement on prioritizing American citizens, leading to a moment of division in the audience.
Trump emphasized the importance of prioritizing American citizens over illegal immigrants, calling out Democrats who remained seated during this part of the address.
Vance echoed Trump’s sentiments, stating that the lack of unity among Democrats on this issue was concerning.
He criticized some Democrats for their passive response, suggesting that they were more concerned about following their party’s lead than standing up for their beliefs.
Conservatives praised Trump’s speech, while Democrats expressed their disapproval.
Sen. Mark Warner (D-Va.) left the speech early, citing Trump’s alleged falsehoods about the economy as his reason for departure.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) described the address as a “state of delusion,” while Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) criticized it as “lazy.”
