Amid an ongoing impeachment proceeding, President Donald Trump delivered his State of the Union address to a deeply divided Congress.
On Tuesday, Trump entered the room to roaring applause from Republican lawmakers, but the tension between Trump and Democratic lawmakers was palpable.
While Trump never mentioned the impeachment proceeding and instead sought to tout the “great American comeback,” it was clear from the beginning that there was tension between him and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) when he appeared to brush off her attempt to shake hands.
As he walked to the podium for his address, President Trump did not shake Speaker Nancy Pelosi's hand, although it was unclear whether it was an intentional snub https://t.co/UOJyqNXas1 pic.twitter.com/hxW5J0LKib
— The Washington Post (@washingtonpost) February 5, 2020
After the speech, which lasted a little more than an hour and a half and included some surprises such as a military family reunion, Pelosi expressed her discontent by ripping up the speech.
.@SpeakerPelosi tears up of State of the Union speech.#SOTU #SOTU2020 pic.twitter.com/sIpi4G7KsL
— CSPAN (@cspan) February 5, 2020
Speaking to reporters as she left the House chamber, Pelosi called the speech a “manifesto of mistruths.” She acknowledged that she ripped up the speech, “It was the courteous thing to do.”
She added that she hopes to invite a new president to deliver the next State of the Union address.
As she left the Capitol tonight @SpeakerPelosi was asked why she tore President Trump’s speech. “Because it was a manifesto of mistruths,” she said. pic.twitter.com/xorexvSpx6
— Kyle Stewart (@KyleAlexStewart) February 5, 2020
The move quickly drew outrage from conservatives, but Democrats appeared to approve of the move. Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-Mich.) tweeted, “I would have shredded it.”
I would have shredded it. #justsaying
— Rashida Tlaib (@RashidaTlaib) February 5, 2020
In an Instagram video, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio Cortez (D-N.Y.) — who did not attend the speech — said she approved of Pelosi ripping up the speech, “I’m glad that she expressed her discontent.”
When asked about the move, Sen. Tom Carper (D-Del.) said he was “just glad [Pelosi] didn’t hit him with it.”
Meanwhile, Rep. Billy Long (R-Mo.) suggested that Pelosi auction off the speech for charity, noting that he would auction his Trump-signed tie for charity.
It was a @StJudeResearch tie just like the one he signed for me last year. @naaauctioneers auctioned that one off and it brought $15,000 for @StJude. That ripped up speech would bring a lot of money for a worthy charity. Encourage Nancy to #Auction it for a good cause. #SOTU2020
— Congressman Billy Long, CTBA (@auctnr1) February 5, 2020
On Wednesday morning, Trump re-tweeted several users who blasted Pelosi for ripping up the speech.