From Robert De Niro to Mark Ruffalo, celebrities, politicians and journalists are organizing a counter-State of the Union address.
Who’s attending the ‘State of the Swamp’? Here’s how to watch the public rebuttal to Trump’s speech live online
Defiance.org has organized the “State of the Swamp” event, which will induce speeches, humor, live music and calls to action, according to the website. The event is being held just a mile away from the U.S. Capitol Building where Donald Trump will give his State of the Union address tonight.
The organizers of the alternative event want to offer a counter-address to the SOTU. “This is not a protest or a watch party,” Miles Taylor, Defiance.org co-founder, said in the statement published on Feb. 17, 2026. “It’s a live, public rebuttal.”
How to watch the ‘State of the Swamp’ event
The program will be livestreamed for free on YouTube, Defiance.org and the State of the Swamp website.
The event will kick off with “pre-buttals” at 7 p.m. ET, followed by rebuttals from 9 p.m. to 10 p.m. and at 11 p.m. keynote speakers.
I’m excited to speak at the STATE OF THE SWAMP rebuttal to Trump’s SOTU on 2/24 at 7pm ET—in person & streaming live from the National Press Club in D.C. Join me, you still can, in person or live streaming from your living room. Go to https://t.co/gEo6TfHpHk. Use my discount code… pic.twitter.com/nlCY91J2hw
— Joe Walsh (@WalshFreedom) February 23, 2026
Who’s attending the ‘State of the Swamp’ event?
- Mark Ruffalo
- Jim Acosta
- Robert De Niro
- Former Republican Rep. Joe Walsh of Illinois
- Former Montana Gov. Steve Bullock
- Former Democratic Rep. Stacey Abrams of Georgia
- Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-CA)
- Sen. Ron Wyden (D-OR)
- Rep. Eugene Vindman (D-VA)
- Rep. Seth Moulton (D-MA), Rep
- Dan Goldman (D-NY)
🚨 Breaking news!! I've been asked to be part of an All-Star cast in Washington DC next week for The State Of Swamp!! Which will go up against the State of The Union!
— Robby Roadsteamer (@RobbyRoadsteame) February 19, 2026
You can get tickets or watch online at https://t.co/vO3OziAYv7 ! pic.twitter.com/gVPPZAa5FB
Also attending:
- Mehdi Hasan
- Marianne Williamson
- Joyce Vance
- Glenn Kirschner
- George Conway
- LaTosha Brown
- Stephanie Grisham
- Miles Taylor
- Sue Gordon
- Charlie Sykes
- Baratunde Thurston
- Wajahat Ali
- Norm Eisen
- Steve Schmidt
- Tara McGowan
- Rashad Robinson
- Olivia Troye
- Asha Rangappa
- Brian Karem
- Robby Roadsteamer
- Lisandra Vazquez
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