A brief but highly charged moment during President Donald Trump’s State of the Union address has gone viral after Rep. Janelle Bynum (D-Oregon City) described it as “racist” and “uncomfortable.”
During the speech, Trump challenged Democratic lawmakers to stand if they agreed that the first duty of the American government is to protect American citizens over those in the country illegally. Republicans rose in applause. Most Democrats remained seated.
The exchange quickly became one of the most replayed clips of the night.
Bynum later said the moment made her uncomfortable and characterized the president’s framing as racist. Her comments drew immediate pushback from Republicans and conservative commentators, who argued that the president’s statement did not reference race and instead focused on citizenship and immigration policy.
INSANE
Democrat Rep. Janelle Bynum said it was “racist” and “uncomfortable” when President Trump asked Democrats to stand up for American citizens. pic.twitter.com/2znkFJ8por
— RNC Research (@RNCResearch) February 25, 2026
The Republican National Committee’s research account posted the clip to X, where it circulated widely. Many users described Trump’s remarks as a standard political appeal centered on national sovereignty and public safety. Critics of Bynum’s response accused her of reading racial intent into a statement that did not explicitly mention race.
Supporters of the president said the call to stand was a straightforward test of whether lawmakers prioritize American citizens in policy decisions. They argued that declining to stand — and labeling the moment racist — reflects broader disagreements over immigration enforcement and border security rather than racial issues.
Bynum has not indicated that she plans to retract her remarks. Her reaction underscores the sharp divide over how immigration rhetoric is interpreted in Washington.
For Republicans, Trump’s statement was a unifying affirmation of national responsibility. For some Democrats, the phrasing echoed broader concerns about how immigration debates can intersect with race and identity.
