I was sitting with a couple of friends when an acquaintance surprised us by walking up and asking “Did you see the State of the Union speech?
It did not surprise me that our nondescript responses of a simple “Yes” did not discourage him from sharing his opinions
His using arm motions supporting to emphasize the rapidity of his speech was somewhat of a surprise.
However, the biggest surprise was when he said he disliked the speech because President Trump renamed the Kennedy Center the Trump Kennedy Center and “The Trump Hotel in Panama went bankrupt.”
Wow, I thought, since neither of these were mentioned in the State of the Union speech it appears that his prejudices prevented his hearing the message.
Effective Communications
A presentation at the University of Tennessee taught that effective communications requires four steps.
Step 1 is when the “speaker’s” brain tries to convert thoughts into words that in Step 2 will be spoken. Step 3 is when the “audience’s” ears receive the words and Step 4 is when the audience’s brain tries to translate the words into thoughts.
Effective communication occurs when the thoughts in the brain of the audience match those in the brain of the speaker.
Preconceived prejudices can inhibit the ability of the audience to understand the message of the speaker, which is why the rule of thumb for trial lawyers is to provide effective communications repeat the message at least three times.
Purpose of the State of the Union
The President’s State of the Union speech is only delivered once.
A president delivering an “Annual Message” to Congress is required by Article II, Section 3 of the U.S. Constitution which requires the President to provide Congress with information on the State of the Union, recommend necessary legislation, receive ambassadors, and ensure laws are enforced.
The objective is to provide to both houses of Congress (House and Senate) a public report on the nation’s economy, achievements, and challenges, while setting the legislative agenda for the coming year.
Historically it is delivered in January or February. President Woodrow Wilson in 1913 began the tradition of switching from a written to an in-person presentation.
Over the years the President’s “Annual Message” has become known as the “State of the Union.”
The Constitution requires that a President deliver such an Annual Message to Congress, so that Congress may effectively represent their constituents.
Fulfilling His Duty
On February 24, 2026, President Donald Trump complied with his Constitutional duty by delivering his State of the Union to Congressional Republicans and the Democrats who chose to represent their constituents at the Congressional function
The approach of some Democrats to dealing with an official function of Congress varied.
Some fulfilled their duty.
Some, such as Senator Adam Schiff (CA) chose to “play hooky” and without hearing the speech convey their own messages.
Congressman Al Green (TX) for the second year in a row decided to attend but caused such a disruption that he was escorted out again.
Some chose to display buttons and signs carrying their message, which for Representative Rashida Tlaib (MI) was a button proclaiming “F—k Trump.”
Some, such as Representative Ilan Omar (MN) chose to shout out their displeasures.
Senator Alex Padilla (CA) delivered his response in Spanish, including the message Solo el pueblo salva al pueblo “Only the community saves the community.”
Others Attended Another Venue
Some chose to attend the “State of the Swamp” counter function at the National Press Club that was sponsored by defiance.org and hosted by the newly elected Governor of Virginia Abigail Spanberger.
At this function Oregon Representative Maxine Dexter (OR) took the stage with dancing frogs behind her and said “I’m a mother. I’m a physician, and I have a flag. I am the proud representative for Oregon’s third Congressional district… And tonight, I defy Trump and his authoritarian project by standing in joyful, radical, peaceful resistance with the Portland Frog Brigade.”
According to The Guardian, the seating area was filled with green, frog-themed swag as a tribute to the so-called “Portland Frog Brigade,” a group that wore inflatable frog costumes during last year’s demonstrations against federal immigration agents.
The “entertainment” didn’t stop at frogs.
Louis Robert Potylo, a “performance artist” known as “Robby Roadsteamer,” who has built a career out of being detained by ICE during unhinged protests in Portland and Minnesota, took to the stage wearing women’s panties over his giraffe costume while bragging about his arrests.
Political commentator JoJoFromJerz recounted an interaction backstage of “Hi, guys. I walked into the area back here and I was on the phone with my 16-year-old son and there was this suitcase full of dildos. And I was like, ‘What kind of party is this, exactly?’”
Conclusion
Shame that so many Democrats permitted their prejudices to interfere with their President’s effectively communicating his Annual Message for Americans before forming their opinions.
Community Calendar:
Got a Santa Barbara event for our community calendar? Fenkner@sbcurrent.com