Top 5 Most Memorable Moments in American State of the Union History

President Trump is set to deliver his first State of the Union address of his second term Tuesday night before a joint session of Congress, continuing a tradition that has produced memorable moments throughout American history. As the nation prepares for this high-profile political event, it’s worth revisiting some of the most dramatic episodes from previous addresses.

The practice of acknowledging special guests during these speeches traces back to President Ronald Reagan’s 1982 address, which established a tradition that continues today. Reagan recognized Lenny Skutnik, a Congressional Budget Office assistant who had become a national hero just weeks earlier when he dove into the frigid Potomac River to save a woman after Air Florida Flight 90 crashed, killing 78 people. Skutnik’s presence marked the first time a president formally acknowledged an audience guest during the speech, creating a precedent that has since become a staple of these addresses.

In more recent years, State of the Union addresses have become increasingly characterized by partisan tension. Perhaps no moment better exemplifies this than House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s dramatic response to President Trump’s 2020 address. As Trump concluded his speech, Pelosi, standing directly behind him, tore her copy of the address into pieces. The incident occurred just one day before Trump’s first impeachment trial ended in acquittal by the Senate.

When questioned about her actions, Pelosi responded, “Because it was the courteous thing to do considering the alternatives,” adding, “I tore it up. I was trying to find one page with truth on it. I couldn’t.” The White House quickly condemned her gesture, noting that the speech had honored several distinguished Americans, including one of the last surviving Tuskegee Airmen.

Presidential addresses have also been marked by unexpected outbursts from legislators. During President Barack Obama’s 2009 address focused on healthcare reform, South Carolina Republican Representative Joe Wilson shouted “You lie!” after Obama stated his proposed reforms would not apply to undocumented immigrants. The interruption, which was highly unusual at the time, drew immediate rebukes from colleagues across the political spectrum. Wilson later apologized, acknowledging his comments were “inappropriate and regrettable.”

More recently, during President Biden’s 2022 address, Representative Lauren Boebert interrupted as Biden discussed Afghanistan veterans affected by toxic burn pits. “You put them in, 13 of them,” Boebert shouted, referencing the 13 U.S. service members killed during the 2021 withdrawal from Afghanistan. Wearing an outfit emblazoned with “Drill Baby Drill” to protest Biden’s energy policies, Boebert and fellow Republican Marjorie Taylor Greene also chanted “build the wall” during immigration segments of the speech.

The following year, Biden’s 2023 address featured another contentious exchange when he suggested some Republicans wanted to sunset Medicare and Social Security. The remark prompted immediate and vocal objections from Republican lawmakers, with then-House Speaker Kevin McCarthy visibly shaking his head and mouthing “no” while others jeered loudly from the chamber. As the disruptions continued, Biden attempted to engage with the protests, saying, “I’m glad to see… I enjoy conversion,” apparently meaning to say “conversation.”

These exchanges highlight the increasingly partisan nature of State of the Union addresses, which were once more ceremonial and less confrontational. Political analysts note that such moments often reflect the broader polarization in American politics, with the annual presidential address serving as a high-profile stage for these tensions to play out.

As President Trump prepares to address Congress and the nation, viewers will be watching not only for policy announcements but also for potential dramatic moments that might join this list of memorable State of the Union incidents.