Command the Stage or Cede the Fight

Trump performs, Democrats watch. That’s the problem.

President Trump’s Tuesday night's speech to Congress should have been a moment for Democrats to show strength, conviction, and leadership in the face of his blatant lies and authoritarian bravado. Instead, we got a *photo booth*.

While Trump spun his usual dystopian narrative—filled with grievances and falsehoods—Democrats largely sat in silence. Yes, there were moments of visible disgust, and yes, some lawmakers shook their heads and waved their signs in protest. Eventually, some of them walked out, but none of that mattered when the American people—particularly the ones who still needed convincing that this is all going off the rails—only heard one side. Only one stood up. Texas Democrat Congressman Al Green did what every Democrat in that chamber should have been doing—calling out Trump's lies in real-time. When he interrupted Trump's speech to challenge his false claims of having a mandate over the American people, Green responded and said you don't have a mandate to cut Medicaid. He wasn't spewing partisan insults or engaging in theatrics—he was stating facts. Trump has relentlessly attacked Medicaid, pushed to gut healthcare protections, and misrepresented what Americans actually want. He's betraying his own voters, given that he lied about protecting Medicaid during his campaign. Green was right to call it out. When faced with being censured by the House Republicans, Green said his protest was "worth it to let people know that there are some people who are going to stand up" to Trump. As someone who has stood up to Trump, I salute him.

Unlike the disruptive actions that led to Rep. Al Green's removal during Trump's speech, Republican Representatives Marjorie Taylor Greene and Lauren Boebert were allowed to stay in the chamber during President Biden's address—even as they heckled. This disparity highlights a clear double standard in how interruptions are handled on the House floor, with the GOP seemingly willing to tolerate or even encourage their own members' antics while swiftly punishing anyone who stands up to them. This is exactly the problem. The GOP understands power and narrative control. They will shout, they will smear, and they will punish dissent.

Meanwhile, Democrats are playing by an old rulebook—one that assumes truth alone will break through. It won't. Rep. Green was right. Instead of distancing themselves from him, Democrats should be amplifying his message. Because if they won't stand up and call out Trump's lies in the moment, then who will?

This is exactly why Republicans keep winning the narrative war. They control the stage, drown out dissent, and make sure that when someone does dare to speak up—like Green—they get punished. Democrats need to stop letting them get away with it. Instead of being annoyed at Green for being "disruptive," they should repeat his words, amplify his message, and refuse to be intimidated into silence. Because silence is exactly what the GOP is counting on.

Let's be clear: Trump's speech was not unifying, nor a pivot to moderation, despite what some pundits on national news networks claimed it to be. It was an extended audition for autocracy. He lied about the economy, immigrants, crime, and the military. He completely ignored veterans—offering nothing for the men and women who have sacrificed for this country. And yet, despite all of this, he performed. He commanded attention. He filled the space.

Meanwhile, Democrats let him.

The Art of the Narrative—And Why Democrats Need to Take Notes

Trump's political superpower isn't policy or intellect—it's performance. He understands the power of commanding a room. He understands that repetition, no matter how false, breeds belief. He understands that emotion—anger, defiance, even humor—sticks with people long after the words are spoken.

Where was the Democratic response? Where was the moment that cut through the noise? Sitting silently in protest while Trump drowns out the room isn't a strategy—it's surrender. Instead of trying to be above it all, Democrats need to start controlling the narrative in real time. Here's what that could have looked like on Tuesday night:

Interrupt the Lies. Republican lawmakers heckle and shout because they know it works. Why wasn't a single Democrat standing up the moment Trump lied about the economy or veterans? Why wasn't anyone besides Rep. Al Green calling him out loudly on the House floor? And why didn't anyone else get up and walk out when he was kicked out of the Chambers?

Speak to the American People. Not Just Themselves. A well-crafted response a day later won't cut it. Democrats should have left that chamber and immediately held a press conference, framing Trump's speech as a dangerous, deceitful spectacle.

Own the Optics. Republicans create drama because they understand it grabs attention. Instead of playing defense, Democrats should set their own stage. Imagine if every Democratic lawmaker had worn a pin that said, What about our veterans, Donald? Imagine if they had a veteran who has just lost his job do the response to the address. While Michigan Senator Elissa Slotkin gave a solid Democratic response to Trump's speech, just imagine the impact that a response delivered by a veteran who has just lost his federal job due to DOGE would have had on viewers. Veterans who've served our country and who are now working in the government are losing their jobs, and there's more to come.

Talk Like People, Not Politicians. Trump's language is effective because it's simple and blunt. He tells people what to be afraid of, who to blame, and why only he can fix it. Democrats need to meet voters where they are. Speak in clear, sharp terms. Stop saying, "We must defend our institutions," and start saying, "Trump is working to take away your Medicare. And this is what tariffs mean for our farmers and all of you at home."

Trump is winning that battle because he knows how to make people feel something. Fear, anger, power—it doesn't matter to him. He's doing it to us here, domestically and internationally, to Ukraine and our European allies.

Democrats currently serving in office need to decide whether they are willing to fight back with the same urgency. They'll need to convince Americans that they are not only strong enough to stop him but are eager to meet them where they are on things today. That starts with being bolder and taking the fight directly to him every time he opens his mouth. Go to red states and talk to Americans on both sides of the aisle. Don't lecture them, tell them how you're going to help fight this entire machine that is working against them.

Just my two cents as a moderate conservative and Republican…recovering,

Olivia