Watch, boycott, or tune out? Readers react to Trump’s State of the Union

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On Tuesday, President Donald Trump will deliver the first State of the Union address of his second term.

In his speech to Congress, he’s expected to tout achievements and shape Republican messaging to voters heading into the midterm elections this fall.

After the address, Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger will deliver the Democratic response.

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Members of the US House and Senate typically attend the speech with special guests. Rep. Adelita Grijalva of Arizona is skipping the speech and giving her pass to Rep. Ilhan Omar of Minnesota, who is planning to bring a man wrongfully detained by ICE in Minneapolis.

Rep. Yassamin Ansari of Arizona is boycotting the speech by attending a counter-rally. Her guest to that event will be Sonia Almaraz, the partner of Arbella “Yari” Rodríguez Márquez, who is in ICE detention and has reportedly not been receiving proper medical treatment for her leukemia.

If you want to tune into a State of the Union alternative, MeidasTouch, MoveOn, and other groups are holding a “People’s State of the Union” live stream starting at 6 p.m. Arizona time.

Another counter-rally called “State of the Swamp” will stream at 4:45 p.m. Arizona time. It’s hosted by DEFIANCE.org, Portland Frog Brigade, and COURIER.

I asked if any of you were planning to watch the State of the Union, and if there was something you’d like Trump to say during it. Here were your responses:

💬 “Yes, very proud of our president and country.” — Carolyn C.

💬 “As the leader of the most destructive cult in American politics, that man spews nonsense, hate, and vitriol against good American people. His lies are unmatched in the public sphere. And, more lies I don’t need to hear. I will not be watching.” — David

💬 “Trump … is destroying the USA as we knew it. This is not a good time. His ego and the LOW ratings will be a message to him louder than anything else. I will be watching the alternative. When will MAGA Republicans do their jobs?” — Rhonda G.

💬 “I am a Trump supporter. As far as what I want to hear him talk about tomorrow … I don’t think it matters as much as what I hope he DOESN’T say. I really do not want to hear him blame ‘the previous administration’ for the issues we are currently facing. Granted, I agree that a lot of things are the way they are due to a previous lack of competent leadership, but talking down others doesn’t show great leadership either. Most people respect a leader that handles things, remedies situations and tells us the truth … without finger pointing and blame. (I do, anyway!)” — Shannon N.

💬 “I plan on boycotting the ‘show’ as I hope ALL Democrats will including our Congressional Representatives.” — Doug R.

💬 “I would be thrilled if he would say ‘I’m resigning!'” — Jan M.

💬 “I will not watch the ranting of an incoherent, demented, convicted felon. I want him to say that he will NOT throw the US into an illegal war with Iran.” — Maureen M.

💬 “I do not plan to watch SOTU as it’s a complete waste of my time listening to Trump lie endlessly about what he thinks people want to hear, and if not lies, blaming the Democrats for everything that has gone wrong.” — Carole M.

💬 “I’m not going to watch. Everything that comes out of his mouth is disinformation, misinformation, hyperbole, at best, and generally lies from his fantasy world. He can’t even string together a coherent statement around any topic. It’s usually a stream of non-lucid conscientiousness.” — Penny T.

💬 “Absolutely not. The one thing we all have learned is that is if his mouth is moving he is LYING.” — Rick K.

💬 “I want him to say ‘I resign.'” — Charlotte G.

💬 “No I will not watch and am not interested in anything he has to say.” — Rebecca G.

💬 “He should step down.  He has been a terrible president.  He is destroying our economy, our country, our constitution.” — Ana G.

💬 “I’d rather eat a live rat which is what I feel he and his inept, corrupt cabinet tries to feed us every minute of every day.  The only thing I want to hear is that he is no longer president.” — Cindy L.

💬 “Kudos to Shannon! A little common sense and true problem solving goes a long way rather than blaming prior administrations for the issues we have today!” — Denise M.

💬 “Every one who voted for Trump or who could’ve voted and didn’t show up at the polls (and I don’t mean people who couldn’t because barriers had been thrown up) or those who voted for 3rd party should HAVE to watch his State of the Union. They should watch the news every single day, real news, including international news, not Fox … the propaganda arm of the Republican Party, and be compelled to see the consequences of their continuing support…” — Sarah M.

💬” I’m uninterested in another media-centered narcissistic, lie-filled monologue, especially when so many of his ‘successes’ are to problems he created (and hasn’t really solved). The man who campaigned on lower prices, protecting women, and not starting wars doesn’t need more airtime. He needs a reality check, and this is one way we can give it to him, since he doesn’t like being perceived as ‘unpopular’. I’ll give him more of my time, when he gives us the rest of the Epstein files, correctly unredacted. So, no, I won’t be watching.” — CL

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