Rep. Lauren Boebert slipped while standing on a chair as President Trump's roughly 108-minute State of the Union concluded and unintentionally pulled Rep. Claudia Tenney down; both were seen laughing afterward. Other Republicans, including Reps. Derrick Van Orden and John McGuire, appeared to miss presidential handshakes as the president exited. Despite the awkward moments, all four lawmakers publicly praised the speech, with Van Orden posting an enthusiastic reaction on X.
Boebert Tumbles at SOTU, Pulls Down Rep. Claudia Tenney — Lawmakers Laugh It Off
The Daily Beast/Getty
During the exit after President Donald Trump’s 108-minute State of the Union on Tuesday night, Rep. Lauren Boebert lost her balance while standing on a chair and inadvertently pulled down Rep. Claudia Tenney.
Boebert grabs onto New York Rep. Claudia Tenney as she falls off of the seat she was standing in to watch Trump leave the Capitol after his State of the Union address. / Chip Somodevilla / Getty Images
Boebert, 39, had climbed onto the chair to get a better view as Mr. Trump left the House floor following a record-setting address. As she tried to climb down she slipped, reached back and grabbed Tenney's back for support; photographs from the chamber show the New York Republican, 65, falling with her. The two members were seen laughing about the mishap moments later. Boebert's office did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Boebert and Tenney laughed about the mishap afterward. / MANDEL NGAN / AFP via Getty Images
Other Republicans also had awkward moments as the president exited. Wisconsin Rep. Derrick Van Orden, 56, was filmed trying — and failing — to attract the president's attention. Holding his phone in his left hand, he appeared to tap Mr. Trump's side and then reached for a handshake, but the gesture was not returned. Virginia Rep. John McGuire also appeared to miss a presidential handshake as Mr. Trump moved down the aisle.
Despite the small embarrassments, the lawmakers praised the speech: Boebert called it "fantastic," Tenney said it showed "real leadership," McGuire described it as "incredible," and Van Orden wrote on X, "Holy Bean Bags. Trump just delivered a SOTU for the ages. I am so proud to be an American."
Context: Tuesday's address was Mr. Trump's first official State of the Union of his second term and ran roughly 108 minutes, drawing attention both for its length and for the post-speech moments on the House floor.
Help us improve.
