Vice President JD Vance and Speaker Mike Johnson were caught on a hot mic on Tuesday evening giving their frank assessment of President Donald Trump’s upcoming speech to Congress.
The Speaker and the Vice President stood at the front of Congress and spoke for several minutes, as part of their conversation was caught on the live microphone before the president arrived.
‘By the way, I think the speech is going to be great, but I don’t know how you do this for 90 minutes,’ Vance said to Johnson.
‘The hardest thing was doing it during Biden when the speech was a stupid campaign speech,’ Johnson replied.
Johnson noticed the microphone and gently pushed it aside so they could continue their conversation.
Speaker Johnson attended President Joe Biden’s speech in 2024, which was a sharply political speech ahead of the election.
Biden also used the speech to show vigor as Democrats and party donors were skeptical about his physical ability to run for reelection.
Vice President JD Vance and House Speaker Mike Johnson of La., arrive before President Donald Trump addresses a joint session of Congress
Vice President JD Vance and House Speaker Mike Johnson of La., arrive before President Donald Trump addresses a joint session of Congress
Small talk between the vice president and the speaker ahead of a State of the Union speech is normal, but they are not always from the same party every year.
In 2024, Speaker Johnson and Vice President Kamala Harris spoke about their parents ahead of President Joe Biden’s State of the Union speech.
When the mics went back live, Trump immediately faced opposition from Democrats in the chamber as he spoke.
Rep. Al Green interrupted Trump’s speech by waving his cane and repeatedly shouting, ‘You have no mandate to cut healthcare!’
Rep. Al Greene, D-Texas, disrupts President Donald Trump’s address to a joint session of Congress
Rep. Nydia Velazquez, D-N.Y., holds a protest sign with fellow Democrats as President Donald Trump addresses a joint session of Congress
Speaker Johnson grabbed the mic and warned Democrats to observe proper order but Green kept protesting.
Johnson ultimately ordered the Sergeant of Arms to restore order, resulting in Green getting removed by Capitol Hill police.
Republicans jumped to their feet chanting and cheering ‘Get out!’ and singing ‘Hey, hey, goodbye!’ As he was removed from the chamber.
Other Democrats silently protested by holding up signs that read, ‘Musk Steals’ and the word ‘False’ and ‘Save Medicare.’
Some female Democrats rallied by wearing the color pink in protest of Trump’s speech
“I look at the Democrats in front of me and realize—there’s nothing I can say to make them happy, stand, smile, or applaud.’ Trump admitted.
