Trump’s State of the Union recalls past viral Capitol moments
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President Donald Trump will deliver the first formal State of the Union address of his second term Tuesday night before a joint session of Congress at the Capitol; Viewers watch for viral moments and headline-grabbing posts that have dominated conversations in the past.
Here are the five most important moments from past State of the Union speeches.
1. Reagan surprises the crowd by receiving a guest in the audience for the first time
In recent years it has become commonplace for presidents to greet guests in the audience during SotU speeches, but President Ronald Reagan’s The 1982 address was when the practice was first introduced.
Reagan’s speech came just weeks after the crash of Air Florida Flight 90. Washington’s The accident that killed 78 people shortly after the 14th Street Bridge over the Potomac River went airborne.
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President Trump will deliver his State of the Union address this week, following decades of viral moments from his previous speeches. (Evelyn Hockstein/Reuters/Bloomberg via Getty Images; MANDEL NGAN/AFP via Getty Images)
Three people survived the crash, thanks to help from civilians on the ground, including Congressional Budget Office assistant Lenny Skutnik, who took off his shoes and clothing and dove into the frigid waters.
Reagan honored Skutnik in his speech, which made honoring people in the crowd a common theme for years to come.
“Just two weeks ago, in the midst of the terrible tragedy in the Potomac, we saw once again the spirit of American heroism at its best, the heroism of the dedicated rescuers who pulled crash victims from icy waters,” Reagan said. “And we saw the heroism of one of our young government workers, Lenny Skutnik, who, when he saw a woman on the helicopter line losing control, jumped into the water and dragged her to safety.”
2. Speaker Pelosi rips up Trump’s 2020 speech
Democratic Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi When he stood up in February 2020 and ripped apart Trump’s speech after he finished it, he created a firestorm on social media and cemented his State of the Union notoriety.
When Fox News later asked Pelosi why she did this, she replied: “Because it was the polite thing to do, considering the alternatives.” “I tore it up. I was trying to find a page with the truth written on it. I couldn’t find it.” he added.
Pelosi’s outburst came on the heels of Trump’s first impeachment trial, which ended in acquittal in the Senate the day after his speech.
The White House tweeted after Pelosi ripped up the speech, referencing people Trump mentioned during his speech: “Speaker Pelosi just ripped this: One of our last surviving Tuskegee Airmen. The survival of a child born at 21 weeks. The grieving families of Rocky Jones and Kayla Mueller. A soldier reunited with his family. This is his legacy.”
3. Rep. Joe Wilson ‘You’re lying!’ Blast to President Obama
One of the most remembered moments from the State of the Union address was when he interrupted South Carolina Republican Rep. Joe Wilson in 2009. President Barack Obama The address was much less common at the time than it was later.
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First Lady Nancy Reagan applauds Leonard Skutnit in front of her husband during President Reagan’s State of the Union address. Skutnik rescued people from the icy Potomac River after Air Florida Flight 90 crashed. (Getty)
“There are also those who claim that our reform efforts will keep illegal immigrants safe,” Obama said, talking about the controversial Obamacare plan. “This is also wrong. The reforms I propose do not apply to those who are here illegally.”
“You are lying!” Wilson shouted from his seat on the Republican side of the chamber, prompting widespread shouting from other members of the audience.
Wilson later apologized to Obama’s chief of staff, Rahm Emanuel.
“I let my emotions get the best of me tonight as I listened to the president’s remarks regarding the coverage of illegal immigrants in the healthcare bill,” Wilson said in a written statement. he said. “While I disagree with the president’s statement, my comments were inappropriate and regrettable. I offer my sincerest apologies to the president for this lack of civility.”
4. Rep. Boebert presses Biden on Afghanistan withdrawal in 2022 speech
“You put them in, 13 of them,” GOP Rep. Lauren Boebert yelled at Biden while talking about Afghanistan veterans thrown into coffins because they were exposed to toxic burn pits. Boebert was referring to the 13 US soldiers killed during Biden’s chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021.
Boebert drew boos from the audience when she wore an outfit that read “Drill Baby Drill” in opposition to Biden’s energy policies.
At another point, as Biden talked about immigration, Boebert and Greene began chanting “build the wall.”
5. President Biden berates GOP lawmakers in 2023 speech, prompting crowd jeers from Republicans
“Some of my Republican friends want to hold the economy hostage — I understand that — unless I accept their economic plan,” Biden told Congress, prompting then-GOP House Speaker Kevin McCarthy to nod in the background, prompting the crowd to shout and other Republicans to shake their heads.
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President Joe Biden delivers his State of the Union address to a joint session of Congress as Vice President Kamala Harris and House Speaker Kevin McCarthy listen in California on February 7, 2023. (Jacquelyn Martin-Pool/Getty Images)
“Instead of making sure the rich pay their fair share, some Republicans, some Republicans want to end Medicare and Social Security,” Biden continued, prompting an even more pointed nod from McCarthy, who said “no” as Republicans continued to jeer.
“I’m not saying it’s a majority,” Biden continued, prompting even more booing from the raucous crowd.
“Let me give you – anyone who doubts this, contact my office. I’ll give you a copy – I’ll give you a copy of the proposal,” Biden continued, to increasingly loud shouts from the crowd.
“That means Congress didn’t vote — I’m glad to see that — no, I’m telling you, I like the conversion,” Biden said, apparently meaning “conversation.”
Biden’s speech continued to shift from there, as Republican anger interrupted him multiple times.
