Gov. Spanberger labeled ‘extreme’ after Trump’s State of the Union response

Criticism of Virginia Governor’s SOTU Response

Virginia’s Democratic Governor, Abigail Spanberger, faced significant backlash from conservatives following her response to President Donald Trump’s State of the Union address. Many conservative commentators took issue with her portrayal of herself as a “moderate,” suggesting she has shifted her stance since her campaign.

In her speech, Spanberger highlighted various far-left initiatives that stirred controversy online. This included references to school strikes against ICE and advocating for “affordability” amid plans for tax increases. The reaction was swift and sharp, with many criticizing her policies and overall tone.

Mark Hemingway, a senior writer at Real Clear Investigations, summarized the sentiment succinctly: “This Spanberger speech basically boils down to, ‘I’m a moderate, normal Democrat. Trust me, I’m a moderate, normal Democrat.'” The response on social media was overwhelmingly negative.

Breitbart News’ Matthew Boyle described Spanberger as “a radical psychopath,” asserting that anyone claiming to be a moderate while supporting leftist policies is being dishonest. Republican Senator Marsha Blackburn echoed this, asserting Spanberger campaigns as a moderate but governs like a leftist activist. She emphasized that there seems to be little space for moderates in today’s Democratic Party.

Curtis Hawk, Editor-in-Chief of NewsBusters, added that it’s concerning for Spanberger to position herself as a moderate while aligning closely with far-left leaders like Gavin Newsom in California.

On the other hand, Trump’s speech received praise from conservative circles, despite his clear opposition to the Democratic Party. Amid the criticism, various commentators made pointed observations. Josh Holmes from the Ruthless Podcast remarked that Spanberger “passed only one test,” implying her response was inadequate. Richard Grenell, Kennedy Center Director, suggested she appeared nervous and unprepared.

Daily Caller Senior Editor Amber Duke noted that while Spanberger’s rebuttal focused on “affordability,” it comes at a time when her party pushes for significant tax increases across Virginia’s economy.

Spanberger’s speech made strong allegations regarding federal actions, claiming, “The president is sending poorly trained federal agents into cities where they are arresting and detaining American citizens and would-be Americans.” She painted a dire picture of the government’s actions under Trump’s administration, emphasizing the consequences of instilling fear in communities.

At one point, it seemed Spanberger lost her place on the teleprompter, showing a brief moment of vulnerability. She also pointed to economic challenges, criticizing Trump’s approach towards both Russia and China, and mentioning the need to focus on American security instead of his perceived successes.