State Of The Union: Donald Trump Turns Away As Nancy Pelosi Offers Handshake

Ted Johnson
Updated ·3 min read

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UPDATE: President Donald Trump entered the House chamber for the State of the Union address to loud cheers from Republicans and a smattering of claps from some Democrats. Some, like Rep. James Clyburn (D-SC), sat in his seat and remained silent as Trump entered.

The House impeachment managers, who have been arguing for Trump’s removal over the past few weeks, stood, as only Rep. Zoe Lofgren (D-CA) clapped slowly and lightly.

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Trump stepped up to the rostrum and handed a copy of his speech to Speaker Nancy Pelosi, but turned away as she extended her hand forward. It was unclear if Trump noticed.

Trump quickly focused on the economy in his speech, telling the lawmakers, “In just three short years, we have shattered the mentality of American decline, and we have rejected the downsizing of America’s destiny.”

PREVIOUSLY: President Donald Trump’s guests at Tuesday’s State of the Union address include radio host Rush Limbaugh, who announced that he has an advanced stage of lung cancer.

As the House chamber filled with lawmakers, their guests and members of the media, Limbaugh, sporting a beard, took his seat in the front row of a space usually reserved for the First Family and their friends. Joining Limbaugh was his wife, Kathryn Adams, and they chatted with Trump’s daughter Ivanka and her husband, Jared Kushner. Limbaugh, who announced his diagnosis on his show on Monday, arrived in a wheelchair.

Earlier in the day, Trump reportedly told network news anchors at a White House lunch that he is planning to award Limbaugh with the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

The State of the Union address is coming amid the impeachment process, making for a tense and awkward atmosphere as Trump enters the chamber and delivers his speech with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi sitting right behind him. Sitting at a desk near the front row were the House impeachment managers, led by Rep. Adam Schiff (D-CA).

Trump has signaled that he will not focus on the expected Senate acquittal, with a vote scheduled for 4 p.m. ET on Wednesday.

The differences between the respective sides of the chamber were stark: On one side, Republican men in dark suits and red ties. On the other, many Democratic women wearing white. A number of Democratic lawmakers, such as Rep. Alexandra Ocasio-Cortez, announced beforehand that they were skipping the speech, while Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) and Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) are on the campaign trail.

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