White House hits back at Democrats for response to Trump speech

The White House on Wednesday hit back at Democrats for their behavior during President Trump’s joint address the night before, calling it “disgraceful.”

Press secretary Karoline Leavitt focused her criticism on Democrats not standing up to cheer for certain moments that she argued were positive wins for Americans out of the first weeks of Trump’s term.

“The behavior of Democrats last night was completely disgraceful and demonstrated how severely out of touch they are with the American public. It was the most shameful moment in the history of presidential addresses in that beautiful chamber,” Leavitt said.

She said that Democrats “screamed at” Trump, walked out of the chamber and “disrespected the American people.”

During the address, Trump clashed with Democrats, and Democrats showed an extraordinary display of disruptions, protests and pained expressions throughout the night.

The evening began with a rare scene, when Rep. Al Green (D-Texas), a regular Trump foil, stood to heckle the president after he boasted of his election victory. Green was then removed from the chamber. Several Democrats also held up round, black signs that read “False,” “Musk Steals,” “Save Medicaid” and “protect veterans,” and some walked out of the chamber during the remarks.

“Democrats didn’t stand for an innocent and beautiful child who is surviving brain cancer. They opposed eliminating taxes of tips and Social Security,” Leavitt said. “They couldn’t even clap for two mothers whose daughters were killed by illegal aliens. One of the only things that could get Democrats off their feet last night was cheering for Ukraine, not for America.”

She referred to a 13-year-old boy battling brain cancer, DJ Daniel, who was at the address, and whom Trump announced would be an honorary Secret Service agent. The family of Laken Riley, a college student who was killed by a Venezuelan migrant, was also there.

Leavitt added that Democrats “exposed themselves as the party of insanity and hate” and accused them of having “Trump derangement syndrome.”

Leavitt also said Wednesday that the public was supportive of Trump’s remarks, even if Democratic lawmakers weren’t, citing a poll from CNN that found that 7 in 10 speech-watchers said they had at least a somewhat positive reaction. She also cited a CBS survey that found 76 percent of those who watched the speech approved of it.

“The reviews are in and everybody loves his speech,” Leavitt said.

Additionally, she noted that Democratic women were wearing pink during the address but argued they are not supportive of women.

“I think it’s very ironic … that Democrat women were wearing pink to support our fellow females, yet they couldn’t stand for a young woman who was almost killed and severely injured by a man on the volleyball court,” Leavitt said. “You can’t say you’re the party of women and then support men in women’s sports and not stand up for basic law and order and immigration reform that will protect women in this country. That’s what President Trump is doing, he’s the president for women.”

Trump signed an executive order last month banning transgender athletes from competing in girls’ and women’s sports, which became a hot-button issue on the campaign trail.

At the address, the White House hosted Payton McNabb, who said she sustained a concussion during a high school volleyball game after a transgender female opponent’s spike hit her in the head, and January Littlejohn, who sued a Florida school board alleging officials “socially transitioned her daughter to a different sexual identity without January and her husband’s knowledge or permission.”