“It would be so very sad for our Country if the State of the Union were not delivered on time, on schedule, and very importantly, on location!” he said in a statement.
However, he needs the invitation of the House to deliver the speech ― and Pelosi made it clear in her reply that it wasn’t coming “until government has opened.”
While Trump initially said he would “do something in the alternative,” he announced late Wednesday that he would hold off because “there is no venue that can compete with the history, tradition and importance of the House Chamber.”
Twitter critics responded quickly:
PELOSI: Come do the State of the Union here
TRUMP: K cool
PELOSI: Actually, the government is still shut, so no, no SOTU for you
TRUMP: But I want to
PELOSI: I said no
TRUMP: Fine
— Sahil Kapur (@sahilkapur) January 24, 2019
#DonaldTrumpsTheTypeOfGuy who tries to bluff his way into giving the State of the Union address, is told by Nancy Pelosi that he will NOT be doing that, and then backs down hours later, also known as the Art of Folding Like a Cheap Suit. https://t.co/h8CmzIsA2m
— Holly Figueroa O’Reilly (@AynRandPaulRyan) January 24, 2019
The art of the deal:
Trump: “I’m giving that speech in the House chamber at the scheduled day and time. Period.”
Pelosi: “No.”
Trump: “OK, whenever’s good.”
— Dave Pell (@davepell) January 24, 2019
Don’t play chicken with Nancy Pelosi.
— Franklin Leonard (@franklinleonard) January 24, 2019
Pelosi: You can’t give the #SOTU until the govt is reopened.
Trump: You can’t tell me what to do! I’m giving the speech. I’ll find another venue or I’ll…
Pelosi: What did I say?
Trump: I mean… I’ll give the #SOTU when the govt is reopened.
Pelosi: pic.twitter.com/anspkBoUo1
— April (@ReignOfApril) January 24, 2019
You can always fly commercial and give the SOTU at a barn in Mississippi.
— Tony Posnanski (@tonyposnanski) January 24, 2019
pelosi’s a pretty good argument for a female president, imo
— Oliver Willis (@owillis) January 24, 2019