Newly surfaced footage shows Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-MI) chanting “KKK” during President Donald Trump’s State of the Union address as Republican lawmakers responded with chants of “USA.”
The clip captures Tlaib repeating “KKK, KKK” while members on the Republican side of the House Chamber stood and chanted in support of the president.
The exchange took place during President Trump’s remarks criticizing immigration policy and alleged fraud in Minnesota. Cameras showed Tlaib and Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN) reacting vocally during portions of the speech.
Earlier in the address, President Trump said, “When it comes to the corruption that is plundering America, there has been no more stunning example than Minnesota.”
He continued, “Members of the Somali community have pillaged an estimated $19 billion from the American taxpayer.”
The president added that the alleged welfare fraud “reminds us that there are large parts of the world where bribery, corruption and lawlessness are the norm, not the exception.”
He warned that “importing these cultures through unrestricted immigration and open borders brings those problems right here to the USA.”
According to the Daily Mail, Tlaib and Omar shouted in response to the president’s remarks. At one point, the two lawmakers yelled, “You have killed Americans.”
President Trump then turned toward them and said, “You should be ashamed.”
Republican lawmakers rose to their feet and began chanting “USA, USA,” which appeared to drown out the Democratic lawmakers’ objections.
The National Republican Congressional Committee shared the clip on X and wrote, “Everything you need to know about today’s Democrats. They cannot stand this country, they cannot stand its comeback, and they cannot hide their contempt anymore.”
One X user wrote, “As a black American, watching Tlaib, a non-black person chant ‘KKK’ is beyond offensive. That word carries generations of terror and pain; it’s not a prop for political theater. This is conduct unbecoming of a Member of Congress. Censure her.”
Another user posted, “In the last week Democrats have provided political ads for the Republicans in the next cycle that would choke a seasoned marketing guy. They write themselves.”
The Daily Mail reported that it contacted Tlaib for comment. No public response from her office was included at the time of publication.
Following the address, President Trump posted on Truth Social, criticizing Tlaib and Omar. “When you watch Low IQ Ilhan Omar and Rashida Tlaib, as they screamed uncontrollably last night at the very elegant State of the Union,” he wrote.
He continued, “We should send them back from where they came – as fast as possible.”
Omar immigrated to the U.S. from Somalia and represents Minneapolis. Tlaib was born in Detroit to Palestinian immigrant parents. They were the first two Muslim women elected to Congress in 2018.
The address also included other disruptions. Rep. Al Green of Texas was removed after holding up a placard that read, “Black people aren’t apes,” according to the Daily Mail.
President Trump’s speech focused on domestic policy priorities, including energy prices and pharmaceutical costs, as well as immigration enforcement efforts.
