By Mark Gray
7:31am PDT, Mar 17, 2024
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On March 7, President Joe Biden delivered his last State of Union address before the November election. During his speech, America's commander-in-chief spoke loudly and often needled his likely 2024 Republican opponent, Donald Trump, without ever saying his name, calling him only "my predecessor." Elsewhere, Biden touched on immigration, abortion, the economy and the conflict in the Middle East.
Following the speech, the POTUS took to social media. "I see a future where we defend democracy — not diminish it. I see a future where we restore the right to choose — not take it away. I see a future where the middle class finally has a fair shot and the wealthy pay their fair share," he penned. "Above all, I see a country for all Americans."
The SOTU speech was applauded by Democrats and reviled by Republicans. Click through to see how celebrities and politicians are publicly reacting to Biden's words...
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"It's a proof of life speech." —Sen. Marco Rubio
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"Joe Biden has more energy than a much younger man. He was on fire in his speech and the Republicans were clearly uncomfortable as the President outlined very popular policies. He used the power of facts and the truth. Bravo." —Barbra Streisand
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"That was possibly the darkest, most un-American speech ever given by an American president. In fact, it wasn't a speech, it was a rant, entirely lacking in decency or generosity to his fellow Americans." —conservative commentary Tucker Carlson
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"Did Joe Biden acknowledge the 10.4 million illegal aliens he's let into this country? No. Did he acknowledge the open borders he put in place deliberately? No. Did he acknowledge the thousands of migrants who died because of his open borders? Not a word." —Sen. Ted Cruz
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"Tonight I attended President @JoeBiden's #SOTU speech where he confronted our country's gun violence epidemic head on. Too many Americans are dying every day, and I know he will never stray from our mission to protect communities from gun violence." —Former U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords
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"They are melting down because I forced Biden to go off script and he finally told the truth and admitted Laken Riley was murdered by an ILLEGAL!!! Yes that's right Joe. ILLEGAL ALIEN!!!!" —Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene
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"People are tired of being manipulated by fear. We learned that lesson during Covid. We recognize that the same techniques of manipulating fear are being used by elites today to corral us into voting for one political candidate or the other." —Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who's running for president as an independent
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"We're watching our current and future President speak the truth with clarity and strength. So proud of President Biden. Republicans under the thumb of Trump are an embarrassment. When you can't even applaud America's success, you have no business serving in Congress." –Rob Reiner
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"Biden has NO respect for the Constitution or the Supreme Court." —Sen. Marsha Blackburn
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"What can I say, President Biden just said let's tax some billionaires and give public school teachers a raise!" —Sen. Elizabeth Warren
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"If you actually believe that the State of the Union is strong and getting stronger under Joe Biden, then you're probably spending too much time smoking crack with Hunter Biden" –Donald Trump Jr.
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"This is who we need leading the country for the next four years. Congrats to @POTUS on a powerful State of the Union address last night." —former President Barack Obama
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"One speech is not gonna solve all of Joe Biden's problems, but it can change the narrative." —Jon Cryer
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"This is the State of Biden's America. So sad." —Sen. Lindsey Graham
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"My predictions were correct: the President pointed fingers & tossed the blame to anyone but himself when it came to the border crisis. Both of our Borders are in shambles, causing record-high illegal immigration. Biden must immediately enact the policies outlined in @HouseGOP's H.R.2." —Rep. Claudia Tenney
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"The speech was strong, and President Biden was strong. He was filled with strength and optimism for the future and for the middle class in America," said Sen. Chuck Schumer. "What the American people heard tonight was a leader who spoke directly to them, acknowledging their needs and sharing in their hopes for the future, reminding us why America is a beacon of hope to the rest of the world and the work that must be done to maintain that status. President Biden laid out a bold vision to the American people that shows Democrats are working for a safe, stable, strong America — one that prioritizes the needs of working families and leaves no one behind."
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"On the heels of President Biden's pro-women, pro-family and pro-freedom State of the Union, Happy International Women's Day everyone! The key to ending poverty and oppression for humanity is to empower and invest in women." —Rep. Jamie Raskin
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"Now let's go re-elect @JoeBiden as President of the United States." —California's Gov. Gavin Newsom
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"President Biden crushed it at the #StateOfTheUnion last night. The State of our Union is strong & getting stronger thanks to the American people. Looking forward to continuing our work w/ @POTUS to lift up the middle class & fiercely defend our democracy & fundamental freedoms." —Rep. Ted Lieu
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"President Biden is right. Dark money has corrupted our elections and our courts — giving Republican billionaires the power to sell out our rights to the highest bidder, peddle disinformation, & keep young, Black and brown candidates from having a voice in our democracy." —Rep. Summer Lee
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"I'm loving Biden tonight. Hardly the old, doddering guy they like to portray him as. Check out the competition. He can't even put a sentence together. And Biden is funny. Funny, whether you like it or not, is a sign of intelligence. #StateOfTheUnion" —Joy Behar
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"@POTUS tonight made history! He rocked women's health research in a powerful transformative way. I thank him and @FLOTUS for listening and acting to level the playing field for women of all ages. We are going to find the research! We are going to get the facts! We are going to help all women kind. This is our moon shot… let's go! #StateOfTheUnion" —Maria Shriver
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"GO, #JOE, GO!! What a speech! Give 'em hell!!" —Bette Midler
