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By Mandy Taheri

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Ahead of President Donald Trump’s State of the Union address tonight, three dozen people are slated to speak in a counterprogram, “State of the Swamp,” which will feature celebrities, lawmakers, former government officials and activists, among others.

Why It Matters

The State of the Union is the president’s annual address to Congress delivered to a joint session. It gives the president a prime-time platform to promote the administration’s accomplishments and lay out priorities for the year ahead. Trump is scheduled to deliver the first State of the Union address of his second term on February 24.

Read More on Politics

Trump’s State of the Union comes as a partial government shutdown stretches on amid a standoff over Department of Homeland Security funding and oversight of the administration’s immigration enforcement agenda. The address also lands as the political fight for the 2026 midterms ramps up, with voters set to decide control of the House and Senate in November 2026.

What To Know

Opposition leaders, pro-democracy figures, and some outspoken activists are coming together for a counter event programmed, “State of the Swamp: The Rebuttal to The State of the Union.” The event notes that surprise guests may appear as well. The event is frog themed, after anti-Trump protesters confronted the administration in frog suits, with the website stating, "the frog has now become a symbol of defiance."

The event will also feature music, "live counter-addresses & truth telling," as well as "rebuttals" following the address.

Another counter programming event, hosted by MeidasTouch and MoveOn will start a little later that evening. The "People's State of the Union" will feature Democrats "boycott Trump's address," MeidasTouch said in an X post.

Celebrities To Speak At State of The Swamp Event

• Robert De Niro
• Mark Ruffalo

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Lawmakers and Former Lawmakers To Speak At State of The Swamp Event

• Senator Ron Wyden
• Representative Eric Swalwell
• Representative Jason Crow
• Representative Seth Moulton
• Representative Dan Goldman
• Representative Eugene Vindman
• Former Senator Jon Tester
• Former Governor Steve Bullock
• Former Representative Joe Walsh

Other Guests to Speak

• Stacey Abrams
• Jim Acosta
• Marianne Williamson
• George Conway
• Joyce Vance
• Glenn Kirschner
• Mehdi Hasan
• LaTosha Brown
• Stephanie Grisham
• Steve Schmidt
• Miles Taylor
• Joanne Carducci
• Baratunde Thurston
• Sue Gordon
• Wajahat Ali
• Norm Eisen
• Charlie Sykes
• Rashad Robinson
• Olivia Troye
• Asha Rangappa
• Robby Roadsteamer
• Phil Solomon
• Camaron Stevenson
• Brian Karem
• Lisandra Vazquez

How To Watch the State of the Swamp

The program will be livestreamed on Defiance.org, YouTube, and Substack, according to the organizers. The program is free and open to the public, but interested individuals must register prior to the show going live.

The event is also taking place in person, with tickets available online Defiance.org.

The program is ahead of Trump’s State of the Union, taking place at 7 p.m. ET. There will be programming until 11 p.m. ET, according to the website.

How To Watch the State of the Union

The State of the Union address will start at 9 p.m. ET and will be available on livestream and broadcast on major television networks. It typically lasts around an hour.

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What People Are Saying

Representative Seth Moulton, a Massachusetts Democrat, said in a Tuesday X post: “On Feb 24, you’ll hear about two very different visions for America. Shot: Trump’s “State of the Union” Chaser: My “State of the Swamp” Rebuttal Livestream free at http://DEFIANCE.org/sotu Or attend in person with discount code: FROGFRIEND15”

Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson said in a January 7 X post inviting Trump to deliver the State of the Union: "It is my distinct honor and great privilege to invite President Trump to deliver the State of the Union on February 24, 2026. Since his return to office, @POTUS has not stopped working for the American people and delivering on his promises. The best is yet to come."

Former Republican Representative Joe Walsh, who has since left the party, said in an X post: "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."

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