{"id":2573250,"date":"2026-02-24T23:40:02","date_gmt":"2026-02-25T04:40:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/robert-de-niro-joins-democrats-to-protest-trump-at-state-of-the-swamp\/"},"modified":"2026-02-24T23:42:58","modified_gmt":"2026-02-25T04:42:58","slug":"robert-de-niro-joins-democrats-to-protest-trump-at-state-of-the-swamp","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/robert-de-niro-joins-democrats-to-protest-trump-at-state-of-the-swamp\/","title":{"rendered":"Robert De Niro joins Democrats to protest Trump at &#8216;State of the Swamp&#8217;"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"float:left\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">26<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Frobert-de-niro-joins-democrats-to-protest-trump-at-state-of-the-swamp%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2573250&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>democrats held a counterevent to President Trump\u2019s State of the Union, titled \u201cState of the Swamp,\u201d headlined by Robert De Niro at the National Press Club in Washington as Trump spoke on Capitol Hill. Many Democratic lawmakers skipped the speech to attend, including Mayors Jacob Frey and Brandon Johnson, Reps. Seth Moulton,Dan Goldman,Jason Crow,and Sen. ron Wyden, with Marianne Williamson and Stacey Abrams appearing virtually. Attendees dressed in swamp-themed outfits, with green clothes and inflatable frog costumes, and some wore frog hats to fit the motif; Abrams delivered a video message about democracy and participation. The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/exclusive-video-larry-elder-blasts-gavin-newsoms-vaccine-mandates-at-campaign-rally\/\" title=\"EXCLUSIVE ...: Larry Elder Blasts Gavin Newsom\u2019s Vaccine Mandates At Campaign Rally\">event featured speakers<\/a> such as Mark Ruffalo (via video), Jim Acosta, Mehdi Hasan, and Terry Moran, and was organized by Defiance. Highlights included Acosta\u2019s protest chant against ICE, calls from Jon Tester to impeach Trump if Democrats retake the House, a mock \u201cThe Donald trump and Jeffrey Epstein Memorial Reading Room\u201d photo booth, and extensive counterprogramming to Trump\u2019s address, including the People\u2019s State of the Union at the National Mall.Trump invited Erika Kirk and the U.S. men\u2019s Olympic hockey team as guests to his speech.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<p><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><\/p>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-header-search-button-mob dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search\" aria-labelledby=\"td-header-search-button\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search-inner\">\n<form method=\"get\" class=\"tdb-search-form\" action=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/\"><\/form>\n<div class=\"tdb-aj-search\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/#\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"Search\" class=\"tdb-head-search-btn dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<h1 class=\"tdb-title-text\">Robert De Niro joins Democrats to protest Trump at &lsquo;State of the Swamp&rsquo;<\/h1>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-title-line\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div id=\"Brid_2515230\" class=\"tpd-featured-video bridtv\"><\/div>\n<p><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/white-house\/4469101\/trump-state-of-the-union-democrats-not-going\/\">Multiple Democratic lawmakers ditched<\/a> President Donald Trump&rsquo;s <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/white-house\/4469367\/trump-state-of-the-union-guests\/\">State of the Union<\/a> on Tuesday to attend a counterevent in Washington.<\/p>\n<p>The &ldquo;State of the Swamp&rdquo; <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/president-trump-hosts-fundraiser-for-new-gop-chair-rep-elise-stefanik\/\" title=\"President Trump hosts fundraiser for new GOP Chair Rep. Elise Stefanik\">event began<\/a> at 7 p.m., two hours before Trump&rsquo;s annual speech, and was headlined by actor Robert De Niro. The protest was held at the National Press Club, about a 15-minute drive from Capitol Hill, where Trump was speaking.<\/p>\n<div class=\"recommended-stories\">\n<h2>Recommended Stories<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/entertainment\/4469371\/trump-needs-to-address-iran-buzz-guy-benson\/\">Trump needs to address the &#8216;buzz&#8217; on Iran during State of the Union: Guy Benson<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/entertainment\/4469428\/warner-bros-recommends-netflix-offer-despite-new-proposal-paramount\/\">Warner Bros. recommends Netflix offer despite new proposal from Paramount&nbsp;<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/entertainment\/4469181\/jim-snow-joe-concha-nyc-irony-snow-shovel-id-requirements-save-act\/\">&#8216;Jim Snow&#8217;: Joe Concha pokes fun at NYC &#8216;irony&#8217; with snow shovel ID requirements<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Sen. Ron Wyden (D-OR) speaks during the State of the Swamp event on Tuesday, Feb. 24, 2026. (Asher Notheis\/Washington Examiner)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Attendees wore green clothes and inflatable frog costumes to tie into the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/report-states-that-three-counter-snipers-were-present-in-the-building-where-the-shooter-was-located\/\" title=\"Report ...s that three counter-snipers were pre...t in the building where the shooter was located\">event&#038;rsquo<\/a>;s swamp theme. A couple of speakers even wore frog hats.<\/p>\n<p>Democrats partaking in this event included Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson, Rep. Seth Moulton (D-MA), Rep. Dan Goldman (D-NY), Rep. Jason Crow (D-CO), Sen. Ron Wyden (D-OR), a virtual appearance by 2024 presidential candidate Marianne Williamson, and a virtual appearance by activist Stacey Abrams, among others.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;This year, we attest whether democracy still belongs to the people, and that&rsquo;s why turnout has to be decisive and overwhelming, because when people show up and engage, authoritarians start to lose their grip on power,&rdquo; Abrams said in a video.<\/p>\n<p><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/live-blog\/trump-state-of-the-union-2026-live-updates\/\"><strong>LIVE UPDATES: TRUMP DELIVERS 2026 STATE OF THE UNION ADDRESS<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Besides De Niro, other celebrities and political commentators who spoke at Tuesday&rsquo;s event included <em>Avengers<\/em> actor Mark Ruffalo via video, former CNN anchor Jim Acosta, British American journalist Mehdi Hasan, and ex-ABC News reporter Terry Moran. <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/4414331\/hollywood-actors-and-actresses-wear-anti-ice-pins-at-golden-globes\/\">Ruffalo protested Immigration and Customs Enforcement<\/a> at the 2026 Golden Globes, and he also played a villainous Trump-esque character in the 2025 film <em>Mickey 17<\/em>.<\/p>\n<p>Defiance organized the event.<\/p>\n<p><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/policy\/immigration\/4468666\/maryland-lawsuit-trump-administration-ice-facility\/\">Opposing ICE <\/a>was another factor at Tuesday&rsquo;s event, with Acosta saying &ldquo;f*** ICE&rdquo; as he spoke on his panel. Former Democratic Sen. Jon Tester also said Democrats need to <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/entertainment\/4456462\/stephen-a-smith-tells-democrats-stop-wasting-time-impeaching-trump\/\">&ldquo;impeach this son of a b****&rdquo; Trump<\/a> if they retake the House of Representatives in November.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Jim Acosta wears a frog hat as he takes the stage at the State of the Swamp event on Tuesday, Feb. 24, 2026. (Asher Notheis\/Washington Examiner)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Goldman called to &ldquo;release the files,&rdquo; drawing applause from the audience. The lawmaker was referring to files related to the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. <\/p>\n<p>In a separate area from the stage, attendees could take photos of reading mock files in &ldquo;The Donald Trump and Jeffrey Epstein Memorial Reading Room,&rdquo; with the <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\" >photo booth&#038;rsquo<\/a>;s background mimicking the blacked-out files and only showing the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/soros-backed-fake-news-network-ramps-up-in-swing-state-to-boost-democrats-washington-examiner\/\" title=\"Soros-backed \u2018fake news\u2019 network ramps up in swing ... to boost ... - ... Examiner\">room&#038;rsquo<\/a>;s title.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Former Democratic Sen. Jon Tester dons a frog hat as he partakes in a panel discussion at the State of the Swamp event on Tuesday, Feb. 24, 2026. (Asher Notheis\/Washington Examiner)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">A photo booth titled &ldquo;The Donald Trump and Jeffrey Epstein Memorial Reading Room.&rdquo; (Asher Notheis\/Washington Examiner)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/white-house\/4463812\/state-of-the-union-guest-list-who-lawmakers-bringing-trump-speech\/\"><strong>STATE OF THE UNION GUEST LIST: WHO LAWMAKERS ARE BRINGING TO TRUMP&rsquo;S SPEECH<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;State of the Swamp&rdquo; is not the only counterprogramming to Trump&rsquo;s speech. Numerous Democratic senators and representatives are skipping the speech to attend <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/front.moveon.org\/new-senators-markey-merkley-murphy-smith-van-hollen-reps-ansari-balint-casar-escobar-jayapal-ramirez-watson-coleman-and-more-boycott-sotu\/\">the People&rsquo;s State of the Union<\/a> at the National Mall.<\/p>\n<p>Trump invited <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/white-house\/4469279\/trump-erika-kirk-state-of-the-union-guest\/\">Erika Kirk<\/a>, the widow of Turning Point USA co-founder Charlie Kirk, as a special guest to his speech. <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/white-house\/4469196\/us-men-olympic-hockey-team-attend-trump-state-of-the-union\/\">The U.S. men&rsquo;s Olympic hockey team<\/a>, which won the gold medal against Canada on Sunday, also attended the State of the Union.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>De Niro, Dems protest Trump at Swamp event<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2632,"featured_media":2573251,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/AP26056092709863.jpg?w=696","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[],"tags":[3685,74515,74516,3634],"class_list":["post-2573250","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","tag-democrats","tag-robertdeniro","tag-stateoftheswamp","tag-trump"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/AP26056092709863.jpg?w=696","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2573250","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2632"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2573250"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2573250\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2573254,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2573250\/revisions\/2573254"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2573251"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2573250"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2573250"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2573250"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}