Social media users are praising President Joe Biden’s masterful political move after being loudly heckled by House Republicans during his State of the Union address and after House Speaker Kevin McCarthy scolded his caucus for taking the “bait” set by the president.
During Biden’s speech, McCarthy tried multiple times to signal to his members that they should quiet down during their heckling of Biden, but he wasn’t heeded.
As expected, Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) made a scene in the back row, yelling at the President and interrupting him at every opportunity.
At one point she screamed “LIAR” when Biden said that some Republicans want to sunset Social Security and Medicare. It was part of a proposal presented by Sen. Rick Scott (R-FL) during the last election cycle. It was roundly denounced by Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY).
Biden managed to get everyone in the room to agree they would never cut the programs and “show seniors by standing up.”
“So we all agree, Social Security and Medicare are off the books,” said Biden. The room stood.
Today, McCarthy appeared on Fox News on Wednesday morning and was asked about his members’ behavior during Biden’s speech.
The Republican leaders accused Biden of deliberately trying to elicit angry reactions from Republicans, but he also said Republicans needed to do a better job of resisting the temptation to lash out.
“He tries to use that for a political ploy, but the one thing we need to be is — we need to be smart,” he said, according to CNN’s Manu Raju. “We need to be smart, don’t take the bait, stay with the American public about what we want to do.”
McCarthy says of his members heckling Biden last night: “He tries to use that for a political ploy, but the one thing we need to be is–we need to be smart.”
“We need to be smart, don’t take the bait, stay with the American public about what we want to do,“ he said on Fox
— Manu Raju (@mkraju) February 8, 2023
Naturally, Twitter users had a lot to say about Biden’s “brilliant” move.
He just negotiated live at the #sotu2023 haha. POTUS had them by the short hairs and the took the bait. Imagine if McCarthy was that good at negotiating it didn’t take 15 votes to become speaker. #StateOfTheUnionAddress pic.twitter.com/zplUhEDeqh
— AJ Nutter (@L82twatmytweet) February 8, 2023
20+ he set the trap and the GOP took the bait. All the while McCarthy could only say the truth was not true. He dashed some GOP hopes and dreams with his SOTU.
— Veronica Tello 🇺🇦🇺🇲🇲🇽 (@RonniAB) February 8, 2023
That was written into the speech, specially counting on the ignorance of McCarthy and his goofy caucus to take the bait. They gleefully took the bait.. https://t.co/5VHxTBPVtV pic.twitter.com/uSzvWYm0WV
— Alan Covington (@Alan_Covington) February 8, 2023
Dark Brandon just owned the entire Republican caucus. He got them to freak out when he accused them of wanting to cut SS. MTG “liar!”
“So it’s off the books. We got unanimity.”
That was a hell of a thing. The “senile old man” just publicly humiliated the Republicans. All of them.— Bob Cesca (@bobcesca_go) February 8, 2023
This was a work of art! My Uncle POTUS owned them tonight!! Beautiful set up!!😘🤣😂💯
— Deb4Detroit (@deb4detroit) February 8, 2023
That was beautiful to witness. A masterclass in getting to "yes".
— Amy Joy 🦒 (@AymieJoi) February 8, 2023
I am so freaking proud – brilliant move.
— 🏳️🌈📚🏃♀️🐱🐾🌊💙 (@PattyJeanK) February 8, 2023
Marjorie took the bait and Biden won in both sides of the house. I thought McCarthy was going to choke when she did that. Hilarious. Best SOTU ever!
— John Fischer 🇨🇦✌🇺🇸 (@JohnCFischer_) February 8, 2023
— #Overeducated Debrianna📢 (@DMansini) February 8, 2023
His opening one liner had me dying About McCarthy working with him but getting pushback from the caucus
— CMP (@ChristinaMP86) February 8, 2023
The speech was reminiscent of the trope of the simple country lawyer, who lulled people into thinking they’re a little slow, who turns out to be brilliant in the courtroom.
— Shannon (@RHlobbyist) February 8, 2023
The look on Kevin's face was priceless.
— Enuf Znuf 🌊🐀 (@KrazzyKatty) February 8, 2023
