Cory Brooker took anti-Trump to a whole new level this week, breaking a world record by delivering a speech about him for over one whole day.
The New Jersey senator and Democratic Party member held a marathon speech yesterday (1 Apr) on the Senate floor, the bulk of which explicitly protested against Trump‘s position as president.
Brooker also took aim at a number of policies the Republican leader has put into place since his inauguration in January.
The 55-year-old remained standing throughout the duration of his impassioned speech, which started at 7pm on Monday, lasted through the night, and the majority of the following day.
Beforehand, Brooker had announced plans to discuss Trump’s ‘dangerous’ administration, claiming he’d continue verbally fighting against the ‘business of the United States Senate’ for ‘as long as I am physically able’.
“I rise tonight because I believe sincerely that our nation is in crisis,” he began.
“In just 71 days the president of the United States has inflicted so much harm on Americans’ safety, financial stability, the core foundations of our democracy and even our aspirations as a people for, from our highest offices, a sense of common decency.
“These are not normal times in America and they should not be treated as such. I can’t allow this body to continue without doing something.
“The threats to America’s democracy are grave and urgent.”
The impressive lecture lasted a total of 25 hours and four minutes, wrapping up shortly after 8pm on Tuesday evening (2 Apr).
Brooker finished with a quote in tribute to the late Senator, Rep. John Lewis, encouraging: “Let’s get in good trouble.”
This broke the previous world record for the longest speech recorded in history, surpassing the work of segregationist Strom Thurmond – in 1957, he spoke for 24 hours and 18 minutes in opposition to the Civil Rights Act.
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The Democrat took aim at Trump and Musk (MANDEL NGAN/AFP via Getty Images)
As well as Trump – the first ever convicted criminal to attain the position of president – the politician also took aim at his Department of Government Efficiency co-lead Elon Musk, and the policies they’ve put into place together in recent weeks.
Brooker slammed the pair’s beliefs as showing a ‘complete disregard for the rule of law, the Constitution and the needs of the American people’.
He discussed Trump’s views on health care, social security, immigration, education, economics, foreign policy and freedom of speech in his lengthy declaration.
As well as inviting a number of fellow left-wing politicians to speak out, Brooker also read out readers that claimed to have received from outranged constituents and further US citizens.
“In just 71 days, the president has inflicted harm after harm on Americans’ safety, financial stability, the foundations of our democracy and any sense of common decency,” Brooker hit out.
“These are not normal times in our nation. And they should not be treated as such in the United States Senate.”
Brooker refused to take a break (Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images)
Following his closing statements, the liberal leader was seen by attendees wiping away tears and placing his hand over his heart.
Visibly exhausted, he was subsequently met with mass applause from the crowd – many members of which rushed to hug him.
Neither Trump nor Musk have yet responded to Brooker’s speech
Featured Image Credit: ROBERTO SCHMIDT/AFP via Getty Images/Andrew Harnik/Getty Images
Topics: Donald Trump, US News, News, Politics
Democratic New Jersey senator Cory Booker has been protesting against President Donald Trump, by holding a marathon speech which has so far surpassed a whopping 15 hours.
Booker embarked upon the speech, which went on into the night on Monday, in order to warn people about Trump‘s ‘dangerous’ administration.
“I rise with the intention of disrupting the normal business of the United States Senate for as long as I am physically able,” he said.
“I rise tonight because I believe sincerely that our nation is in crisis.
“In just 71 days the president of the United States has inflicted so much harm on Americans’ safety, financial stability, the core foundations of our democracy and even our aspirations as a people for, from our highest offices, a sense of common decency.
“These are not normal times in America and they should not be treated as such. I can’t allow this body to continue without doing something. The threats to America’s democracy are grave and urgent.”
Booker started his speech at 7pm on Monday evening (31 March) and recently passed the 15-hour mark.
The speech touched on topics including immigration, the economy, education and foreign policy.
Booker has been going for over 15 hours (Fox News)
The speech was also supported by historical quotes and newspaper articles.
Other Democrats have been rallying behind Booker, with some asking questions which has provided a break for the senator.
For example, Chuck Schumer said: “You’re taking the floor tonight to bring up all these inequities that will hurt people, that will so hurt the middle class, that will so hurt poor people, that will hurt America, hurt our fiscal conditions, as you document.
“Just give us a little inkling of the strength – give us a little feeling for the strength and conviction that drive you to do this unusual taking of the floor for a long time to let the people know how bad these things are going to be.”
Booker has been giving a marathon speech (Bill Clark/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images)
Tens of thousands of people have been tuning in to watch Booker’s live stream, in which he accused Trump and Elon Musk and the policies of the Trump administration as having ‘complete disregard for the rule of law, the Constitution, and the needs of the American people’.
Trump is yet to comment on Booker’s speech.
This is not the first time Democrats have shown their opposition to Trump’s presidency. Just last month (4 March), a number of Democrats in the assembly donned all-pink outfits at Trump’s Congress speech.
This was a coordinated protest against the president’s policies which significantly impact women.
“Pink is a colour of power and protest,” Democrat representative, Teresa Leger Fernández, explained. “It’s time to rev up the opposition and come at Trump loud and clear. Women have worn pink in opposition to Trump before, and we will do it again.”
Featured Image Credit: Fox News
Topics: Politics, US News, Donald Trump
Donald Trump has been branded historically unpopular despite being elected as president by US voters just months earlier.
It’s safe to say that Trump has had an interesting 11 days since being sworn into office on January 20.
When the US election results were announced in November 2024, it was claimed that Trump had won the ‘popular’ vote among the people of America.
He historically won places where Republicans usually do well, and also places where Democrats generally have an edge.
But just months after the election, it seems as though Trump isn’t quite as popular as he was made out to be – and he’s broken a record for all the wrong reasons.
A new poll, released by Gallup, reported that the president’s initial approval ratings are actually at an all-time low.
The president has broken a world record – but not one he’ll be happy about. (Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
Megan Brenan, a senior editor who worked on the research, said: “At 47%, President Donald Trump’s initial job approval rating for his second term is similar to the inaugural 45% reading during his first term, again placing him below all other elected presidents dating back to 1953.”
Breaking records, she added: “Trump remains the only elected president with sub-50% initial approval ratings, and his latest disapproval rating (48%) is three percentage points higher than in 2017.”
According to the study, John F Kennedy was, and remains, the most popular modern president at the start of his term.
Followed by this is Dwight Eisenhower (1953) and Barack Obama (2009), who scored 68% – the next-highest approval ratings.
But it seems as though Trump is an anomaly, as Brenan said: “Most presidents have experienced a ‘honeymoon period’, with strong job approval ratings in the initial months of their presidencies that then fade as time passes.”
A study revealed the president is historically unpopular. (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)
Interestingly, she added: “Initial evaluations of Trump differ [from other presidents] in that Americans are much more likely to disapprove of his performance rather than have no opinion.”
However, other research has suggested that Trump has slightly higher approval ratings.
Many celebrities have been open about moving from the US since Trump was elected.
Eva Longoria was one of the first to share that she has left the US, as she now splits her time between Spain and Mexico.
The actress told Marie Claire of Trump’s plans: “If he keeps his promises, it’s going to be a scary place.”
“I’m privileged,” she added. “I get to escape and go somewhere.
“Most Americans aren’t so lucky. They’re going to be stuck in this dystopian country, and my anxiety and sadness is for them.”
Ellen DeGeneres and her wife, Portia de Rossi, have also moved away from America.
The former talk show host has now moved to the UK with her partner, vowing that they will ‘never return’ since Trump’s election.
An anonymous source close to the couple told The Wrap that the pair are living in the Cotswolds and have no intention of heading back to America, particularly not while Trump remains in charge.
Featured Image Credit: Joe Raedle/Getty Images
Topics: Donald Trump, Politics, US News
President Donald Trump’s exchange with a reporter who was wearing a mask has thrown social media users for a loop.
Trump was speaking in the Oval Office on Monday (24 March), where it was announced that he’d signed a new executive order imposing 25 per cent tariffs on imports of automobiles and certain auto parts.
He indicated that this order was to end unfair trade practices and protect US national security, Sky News Australia reports.
However, the 78-year-old Republican then drew attention to a journalist wearing a mask.
Donald Trump had an confusing exchange with a reporter at the Oval Office (Win McNamee/Staff/Getty Images)
“You know I haven’t seen a mask in so long, you’re wearing a mask, so nice of you,” Trump said. “I haven’t seen anybody wearing a mask in a long time.”
He continued: “That’s so nice of you. I haven’t seen anybody wearing a mask in a long time, it’s good. You feel more comfortable right? Good, that’s good.”
After catching light of the clip which has been making its rounds across social media, a fierce debate broke out as some people were convinced Trump’s remarks were a sarcastic jab at the reporter.
“Who’s wearing a mask in 2025!! Love his sarcasm,” hit out one Instagram user.
A second piped up: “He’s so right Who wears a mask anymore especially if you’re a reporter. Grow up.”
“Funniest president ever!” gushed a third, while a fourth oddly congratulated: “I like how he made fun of the reporter. Nice job.”
Others, however, made sure to defend the reporter’s decision to wear a face mask.
A fifth person explained: “Y’all know people were those masks when their [sic] sick and don’t wanna spread sickness right? It’s not just a covid thing.”
“People seem to forget that there’s two reasons that you wear a mask, possibly to help protect yourself (especially if you’re immune compromised) but also to protect others.” echoed a sixth.
People online couldn’t work out if he was being ‘sarcastic’ or not (Fox)
A seventh chimed in: “Picture a president who’s decided to pick on someone simply because they’re wearing a mask – what a classy move, right? It’s like he thinks mocking others for taking precautions is a national pastime!”
“What if the reporter was sick attempting to protect you. Ever thought of that?” pointed out someone else.
However, some clearly didn’t agree with either side of the argument as they were utterly convinced that Trump’s comments were 100 per cent genuine.
“Trump’s being nice!” maintained one fan, while a second wrote: “Wow just wow leave him alone!”
And a final Instagram user hit out: “He minded his manners!”
It’s a bit nicer than his prior exchange with a reporter wearing a mask back in 2020, where he demanded that Jeff Mason, a journalist for Reuters, remove his mask because his speech was ‘muffled’ – a request which Mason refused, The Independent reported.
Featured Image Credit: Jabin Botsford/The Washington Post via Getty Images
Topics: Donald Trump, Politics, US News
People are asking the same question about student loans after Trump defunds Department of Education
Trump has signed an executive order to dismantle the US education department
Donald Trump has, today (21 March), signed an executive order to dismantle the US education department – but what does that mean for one in four Americans with a student loan?
Trump, who has accused the Department of Education of ‘breath-taking failures’, has now vowed to defund it, returning the money it controls to individual states.
He claimed that the department had been indoctrinating young people with racial, sexual, and political material.
Addressing the White House, he said: “We’re going to shut it down as quickly as possible.”
It was firstly established in 1979, to oversee student loans and also run programmes to help low-income students.
Trump signed the executive order surrounded by school children. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
But many Americans are now wondering what will happen to their student debt, now the department is gone.
Some were hopeful that their debt was automatically cleared, but letting the $1.6 trillion federal student loan portfolio go, was definitely not on Trump’s list of to-do’s.
One user on X said: “Remember folks: You don’t owe student loans to a department that doesn’t exist anymore.
“Enjoy your student loans forgiveness. The department of education is gone, so don’t send them a thing.”
Another questioned: “What Happens to student loans if the education dept. Closes? The White House released an executive order instructing the secretary of education to begin shutting down the department.”
Earlier this month, the department laid off half of all its staff.
The president has suggested student loans will be transferred to another department. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
More than 40 million Americans have a student loan, and it seems as though there is no forgiveness with Trump.
Karoline Leavitt, the White House press secretary, clarified this issue.
She told reporters that she expected some key functions of the education department, which includes federal student loans, to remain at the minimised agency.
Leavitt said: “When it comes to student loans and Pell grants those will still be run out of the department of education…any critical functions of the department will remain.”
But Trump admitted earlier this month that he doesn’t think it should come under the department’s remit.
Speaking earlier this month, the president said: “I don’t think the education department should be handling the loans. That’s not their business.”
Trump expressed that he was seeking to pass over the responsibilities to the Treasury Department, Commerce Department or the Small Business Administration.
Experts have claimed that the Treasury Department would be the most logical alternative, as it already plays a role in collecting debt from Americans.
