An anti-Trump rally hosted by the progressive organization MoveOn was overshadowed by hecklers during President Donald Trump‘s State of the Union address on February 5, 2024. The event featured former MSNBC hosts Joy Reid and Katie Phang, but the limited attendance and vocal disruptions drew significant attention.
While over 70 congressional Democrats chose to boycott Trump’s speech, the rally attracted a small crowd that appeared unenthusiastic. Video footage shared on social media highlighted a moment when a heckler stormed the stage as Senator Chris Murphy from Connecticut criticized Trump’s immigration policies. The individual, wearing a “Trump 2024” hat, shouted insults, including “Go Trump! Go Trump!” and called Murphy a “scumbag” before being escorted off stage by security.
The atmosphere at the rally was described as lackluster, with reports indicating that coughing was louder than cheers or boos. In a tongue-in-cheek response, Caleb Howe, Associate Editor of the Daily Caller News Foundation, remarked, “You can’t HANDLE this level of enthusiasm from the yuge crowd at MoveOn ‘People’s State Of The Union’ featuring Joy Reid and Katie Phang.”
Heckling and Reactions
Both Reid and Phang faced hecklers during the event. When one individual shouted, “Reid, you suck, you loser!” Reid attempted to turn the moment into a positive by claiming, “My fans are back. What I always say is, you know who I am and I don’t know who you are, that means you’re a fan. You’re a fan.”
Despite the disruptions, the rally aimed to address concerns regarding immigration policies and the actions of the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Following the recent involvement of ICE in the fatal shootings of Alex Pretti and Renee Nicole Good during an operation in Minnesota, there have been calls from Democrats for stricter regulations surrounding ICE operations.
MoveOn and several attending lawmakers have received funding from organizations linked to George Soros, a prominent figure in progressive philanthropy. Public records reveal the financial connections, contributing to the ongoing debate about the influence of money in politics, particularly in opposition to Trump’s administration.
The turnout for the counter-rally and the reactions it garnered underscore the deep divisions within the political landscape as the nation continues to grapple with significant issues surrounding immigration and governance.
