Florida Rep. Maxwell Frost Boycotts Trump's State of the Union Address

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Ahead of President Donald Trump's first official State of the Union address of his second term, Florida Rep. Maxwell Frost, a 29-year-old Democrat representing Orlando and Central Florida, is boycotting the event and instead attending the 'People's State of the Union' rally organized by MeidasTouch and MoveOn Civic Action. Frost, who has previously walked out of a State of the Union address in protest, is one of several lawmakers choosing to skip Trump's speech and attend the opposing rally on the National Mall.

Why it matters

Frost's boycott of the State of the Union is a symbolic act of protest against the Trump administration, which he has been a vocal critic of. The 'People's State of the Union' rally is intended to provide an alternative perspective and counter-narrative to Trump's address, which the organizers have described as 'a night full of lies and misplaced priorities for the American people'.

The details

Frost, who was first elected to Congress in 2022 and reelected in 2024, has a history of activism and political engagement. He has worked on multiple campaigns in Florida, including Hillary Clinton's 2016 presidential campaign and Bernie Sanders' youth voter turnout initiatives. Frost has also advocated for the restoration of voting rights for people with felony convictions and served as the National Organizing Director for March For Our Lives.

• The State of the Union address is scheduled for February 24, 2026 at 9 p.m. ET.
• The 'People's State of the Union' rally is scheduled for February 24, 2026 at 8:30 p.m. ET.

What they’re saying

What’s next

The 'People's State of the Union' rally on the National Mall is scheduled to take place on February 24, 2026 at 8:30 p.m. ET, providing an alternative perspective and counter-narrative to President Trump's State of the Union address.