Democrat Tlaib uses whiteboard to protest Trump throughout speech
Rep. Rashida Tlaib, a member of the “Squad” and a Democratic representative from Michigan, made headlines during President Donald Trump’s address to a joint session of Congress on Tuesday. While other Democrats held up pre-printed signs, Tlaib took a different approach by using a whiteboard to deliver real-time responses to the president’s speech.
Throughout the 100-minute-long speech, Tlaib scribbled messages on her mini-whiteboard, including phrases like “No king!,” “What about the immigrants that worked for you?,” and “That’s a lie!” Her actions seemed to go against the wishes of House Democrat leadership, as reports indicate that party members were urged to show proper decorum and not use props during the address.
Tlaib’s use of the whiteboard and her choice to wear a keffiyeh-like jacket sparked a variety of reactions. Rep. Nancy Mace, a Republican from South Carolina, referred to Tlaib as the “poster child” of Trump derangement syndrome (TDS), a term used to describe those who automatically reject anything associated with Trump. Additionally, Rep. Mace shared a photoshopped image of Tlaib holding a blank sign, encouraging followers to “fill in the blank.” This led to a wave of memes and social media posts poking fun at Tlaib and other Democrats.
Criticism also arose regarding Tlaib’s attire, as one of the guests present at the joint session had been held captive by Hamas. Some questioned the appropriateness of Tlaib wearing a keffiyeh-like jacket given the context of the event.
Tlaib was not the only Democrat to disrupt or protest President Trump’s speech. Rep. Melanie Stansbury held up a sign reading “this is not normal” as Trump entered the chamber, while Rep. Al Green heckled the president early on in the address. Democrats faced backlash for not applauding certain guests highlighted by Trump, including a young cancer survivor and the mothers of individuals killed by alleged illegal immigrants.
Meghan McCain expressed disgust at the lawmakers’ behavior, calling for them to “get a grip.” Fox News contributor Ari Fleischer criticized the Democrats for embarrassing themselves with their displays.
In addition to the signs and lack of applause, some Democrats walked out of the address wearing political shirts, and others held up paddles with messages criticizing various issues. Overall, the Democrats’ actions during the address drew widespread criticism and sparked debate across social media platforms.
As the events of the evening unfolded, it became clear that Tlaib and her fellow Democrats had made a significant impact on the joint session of Congress. Their actions and statements served as a reflection of the deep political divisions and tensions present in the country at that time.
