Cory Booker is giving a marathon speech on the Senate floor. Why and how long can it last?
The New Jersey Democrat took the Senate floor at 7 p.m. ET to begin a marathon speech blasting the Trump administration and Elon Musk. Previous lawmakers to hold such speeches include Sen. Ted Cruz.
Portrait of Anthony RobledoAnthony Robledo
USA TODAY
“I’m heading to the Senate floor because Donald Trump and Elon Musk have shown a complete disregard for the rule of law, the Constitution, and the needs of the American people,” Booker posted on X earlier in the day.
“I am not going to stop speaking, I am not going to stop standing,” he said. “I am going to go for as long as I’m physically able to go.”
Once he took the Senate floor, Booker said the president has “inflicted so much harm on Americans’ safety, financial stability, the core foundations of our democracy.”
“I rise tonight because I believe sincerely that our country is in crisis,” he said.
WELL, HE DID IT.
HE BROKE STROM THURMOND’S RECORD.
Jacob Rubashkin
@JacobRubashkin
🚨Cory Booker has broken the record for longest Senate speech in American history, outlasting South Carolina Sen. Strom Thurmond’s marathon filibuster of the Civil Rights Act of 1957. The new record: 24 hours, 19 minutes (and counting).
https://x.com/JacobRubashkin/status/1907211131841659335
Brandon Wolf
@bjoewolf
The livestream of Cory Booker’s marathon holding of the Senate floor is approaching 250 MILLION likes on TikTok.
https://x.com/bjoewolf/status/1907200853527658762
Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) posted at 6:15 PM on Tue, Apr 01, 2025:
Booker, just minutes away from the speaking record: “This is when the most precious ideas of our country are being tested, where the Constitution and the question is being called — Where does the constitution live? On paper? Or in our hearts? This is the moment.” https://t.co/qJIcd0ay4u
(https://x.com/atrupar/status/1907210177595511104?t=vaIITV8s9yZS1eOqdTFvJA&s=03)
Kamala Harris
@KamalaHarris
The true measure of a leader is not based on who you beat down but on who you lift up.For over 24 hours, my friend
@CoryBooker
stood on the floor of the Senate and lifted up the voices of the American people harmed by the current administration.We must continue to fight for the best of who we are as Americans. Thank you, Cory, for your leadership.
7:13 PM · Apr 1, 2025
Mike Nellis
@MikeNellis
Booker’s team just told MSNBC they’ve gotten 14,000 voicemails from people supporting Cory’s filibuster and sharing their stories—and another 280 million people have liked his speech on TikTok alone.A masterclass in capturing attention.
Well done.
6:32 PM · Apr 1, 2025
Truth Will Reign 👑
@TruthWill_Reign
“If America hasn’t broken your heart, you don’t love Her enough.”
Cory Booker
The Other 98%
19m ·
Here are a few passages from Cory Bookers amazing historical marathon of a filibuster:
“I rise tonight with the intention of disrupting the normal business of the United States Senate for as long as I am physically able. These are extraordinary times in our country, and they should not be regarded as ordinary within this chamber. The dangers facing the American populace and our democracy are serious and immediate, demanding that we all take action to combat them. In just 71 days, this administration has inflicted harm after harm on Americans’ safety, financial stability, the foundations of our democracy, and any sense of common decency. I stand here not to speak for myself but to amplify the voices of Americans who are suffering—those whose stories are too often ignored in these halls. From the mother who fears losing her child’s healthcare to the retiree worried about Social Security cuts, their struggles must be heard.”Booker continued, invoking civil rights leader John Lewis: “I rise tonight to engage in some good trouble, necessary trouble, to help redeem the soul of America. When our nation was at a crossroads, leaders like John Lewis stood up. They didn’t wait for someone else to act—they became the change they sought. That is what we must do now. These are not normal times in America, and they should not be treated as such in the United States Senate.”
Throughout his speech, Booker criticized proposed cuts to Medicaid and Social Security, policies he argued would devastate vulnerable Americans. He read letters from constituents, including one from a voter with Parkinson’s disease who feared losing vital benefits. “We cannot allow profit to be prioritized over people,” Booker declared. “This is a moment that demands courage and action. Generations from now will look back at this time and ask one question: Where were you? What did you do when democracy was under attack?”
Senator Bookker is a hero!
Matthew Zeitlin (@MattZeitlin) posted at 3:57 PM on Wed, Apr 02, 2025:
CNBC anchor: “The market reaction after hours, I’ve never seen anything like, this is worse that the worst case scenario in terms of what the market expected”
(https://x.com/MattZeitlin/status/1907537978664374544?t=Yn_Z8_Wngm7KvoP3BrpBvw&s=03)
unaffiliated followers of the new democrats (@reesetheone1) posted at 4:02 PM on Wed, Apr 02, 2025:
I worked in factories before I became a operating engineer.
I know folks want the days of working at a factory and making a career out of that that can support a middle class life.
It can happen in Spots…….. but not how it used to be.
A trade war won’t help things.
(https://x.com/reesetheone1/status/1907539258400755992?s=03)
Justin Wolfers (@JustinWolfers) posted at 4:02 PM on Wed, Apr 02, 2025:
Trump says these tariffs will raise roughly $6 trillion.
Assuming that’s over a 10-year window, that’s $600 billion per year.
There are 134 million households, so this is about $5,000 per household per year.
And it’s like a sales tax, so it’s a flat tax. A huge hit to the budgets of working- and middle-class Americans.
(https://x.com/JustinWolfers/status/1907539127924335092?s=03)
The Daily Beast (@thedailybeast) posted at 4:07 PM on Wed, Apr 02, 2025:
The program which helps 9/11 first responders and survivors faces a bleak future after the Trump administration laid off hundreds of staff that oversee it.
https://t.co/DbJiOrJPPe
(https://x.com/thedailybeast/status/1907540340921254164?t=780NzeySo7B8WlsPgdgZuQ&s=03)
David Frum (@davidfrum) posted at 4:06 PM on Wed, Apr 02, 2025:
Trump is driving the world to a global depression -and destruction of all US influence – using powers delegated to him by Congress. Congress could recall those powers and save everyone from the disaster Trump is determined to inflict
(https://x.com/davidfrum/status/1907540233379279011?t=RogkRz-tjT4sXY-HyBWROA&s=03)
Neil Stone (@DrNeilStone) posted at 2:16 PM on Wed, Apr 02, 2025:
RFK Jr has cut Alzheimers research.
Alzheimers.
One of the most devastating, urgent and increasing health problems we face today.
He’s not interested.
He’s a nasty piece of work.
(https://x.com/DrNeilStone/status/1907512579909628256?t=Rf5w-0_HGxfCnVGDNmR7cg&s=03)
Aaron Fritschner (@Fritschner) posted at 4:02 PM on Wed, Apr 02, 2025:
Russia is not subjected to a tariff by Trump, per this now complete list (threaded below) of countries.
Ukraine’s tariff is 10%.
It’s possible Russia is the only country in the world that Trump didn’t slap tariffs on.
Trump put tariffs on all of America’s allies.
(https://x.com/Fritschner/status/1907539183557828966?t=j4Ja89iHYFFpxB6kgUsgNQ&s=03)
James E. Clyburn (@RepJamesClyburn) posted at 4:11 PM on Wed, Apr 02, 2025:
Let’s be clear what Trump is saying here:
Income taxes are disproportionately paid by the wealthy.
Tariffs hit all Americans, disproportionately hurting working people.
Trump wants everyday Americans to pay more and the wealthy to pay less.
https://t.co/ojxjkueMPj
(https://x.com/RepJamesClyburn/status/1907541302851387645?s=03)
Greg Bluestein (@bluestein) posted at 2:53 PM on Wed, Apr 02, 2025:
Georgia House Democrats walk out of the chamber en masse in protest of a Republican-backed bill to block taxpayer funds from being used to pay for gender-affirming care for state prison inmates. #gapol https://t.co/UJsfX9Jm1G
(https://x.com/bluestein/status/1907521761174032779?t=b1fCvFgyXq5bULLcOef3YQ&s=03)
Yahoo News
@YahooNews
The White House said Wednesday that tech billionaire Elon Musk will stay on to complete his mission to slash government spending and downsize the federal workforce, dismissing media reports that he will leave the role soon.
https://x.com/YahooNews/status/1907528990794867173
Isaac G. Bryan (@ib2_real) posted at 6:42 PM on Tue, Apr 01, 2025:
Any time a Black Man breaks a record previously held by a racist segregationist, I’m going to celebrate.
And you should too.
(https://x.com/ib2_real/status/1907216994455466064?t=8mAc8Jt-J8etL2CD7nADrQ&s=03)
Cornell Belcher (@cornellbelcher) posted at 6:33 PM on Tue, Apr 01, 2025:
Literally doing focus groups right now in NJ with sporadic younger voters and several called what @SenBooker is doing #filibuster “noble”. He’s showing some fight and they’ve been hungry for that from Democrats. It’s giving hope
(https://x.com/cornellbelcher/status/1907214687261041049?t=stcFiNmvdnJZpYKIuRvjiw&s=03)
Jael Rucker
@RuckerJael
How Come Nobody Ever Apologizes to Michael Jackson: The Sony Feud
The short story is…Michael called out the elites, stood on business, and two decades later, much of what he spoke out against has proven to be true
https://medium.com/@ruckerjael/how-come-nobody-ever-apologizes-to-michael-jackson-the-sony-feud-49d004835eb1
Jael Rucker
@RuckerJael
“The minute I started to break the all time records…I broke Elvis’ records, I broke The Beatles’ records…Overnight they called me a freak, they called me a child molester”
Michael Jackson
https://x.com/RuckerJael/status/1906740627666067929
Kevin W.
@Brink_Thinker
Seven-yr-old, Ellison, has down syndrome and struggles with sensory overload.
His parents used to dread haircuts until they met Vernon Jackson, a local barber.
Best 30 sec. you’ll see all day.
https://x.com/Brink_Thinker/status/1907130860450549952
Max Tani
@maxwelltani
New: WHCA is considering how it would respond to the White House taking over the press seating chart in the briefing room. One idea: a “sit-in” style protest.
The okayest poster there is
@ok_post_guy
You guys are all fucking pathetic
A sit-in over a seating chart, but not over lawless rendition of green card holders, or mass layoffs, or illegally impounding federal funding and programs
No, a fucking seating chart, and only because it means you’ll be on tv less
https://x.com/ok_post_guy/status/1907433430503330044
The Hill
@thehill
Sen. Cory Booker’s speech tops 350 million likes on TikTok live
https://x.com/thehill/status/1907220484174782755
Fly Sistah 🪷
@Fly_Sistah
The DNC, Chuck Schumer, & Hakeem Jeffries have filed a lawsuit against Trump for requiring voters to prove they are US citizens, preventing states from counting mail-in ballots received after Election Day, & threatening to take federal funding away from states that don’t comply.
https://x.com/Fly_Sistah/status/1907436672439976335
Frank Luntz
@FrankLuntz
The
@CDCgov
‘s Division of Environmental Health Science and Practice is now slated to be eliminated.
It contains the following branches:
• Asthma and Air Quality
• Emerging Environmental Hazards
• Lead Poisoning Prevention and Surveillance
• Water, Food, and Environmental Health Services
https://wired.com/story/cdc-gutted-rif/
1:52 PM · Apr 1, 2025
·
124.8K
Views
THIS WILL RESULT IN MANY DEATHS
Democracy Docket
@DemocracyDocket
NEW: A Maryland federal judge issues a block on the Trump administration, preventing it from firing federal probationary workers en masse in D.C. and 19 states as litigation continues. States not involved in the lawsuit are excluded in this relief.
Order:https://hubs.ly/Q03fz68Y0
Former Costa Rica President Says U.S. Revoked His Visa
April 2, 2025
Nobel Peace Prize winner Oscar Arias, a former president of Costa Rica, says the Trump administration has revoked his visa after his public comments critical of President Trump.
Arias, a Nobel laureate, said he was informed of the decision weeks after he had publicly criticised Donald Trump, comparing the behaviour of the US president to that of a Roman emperor.
The 84-year-old, who was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for his role in brokering an end to conflicts in Central America, said US authorities had given no explanation.
https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/costa-rican-former-president-oscar-arias-says-us-revoked-his-visa-2025-04-01/
MULTIPLE SECURITY BREACHES
National security adviser Mike Waltz’s team regularly set up chats on Signal to coordinate official work on issues including Ukraine, China, Gaza, Middle East policy, Africa and Europe, according to four people who have been personally added to Signal chats.
Two of the people said they were in or have direct knowledge of at least 20 such chats. All four said they saw instances of sensitive information being discussed.
It’s a more extensive use of the app than previously reported and sheds new light on how commonly the Trump administration’s national security team relies on Signal.
https://www.politico.com/news/2025/04/02/waltzs-team-set-up-at-least-20-signal-group-chats-for-crises-across-the-world-00266845
👑 Mr. Weeks 👑 (@WonderKing82) posted at 7:52 PM on Tue, Apr 01, 2025:
None of the white progressives are lending their voices to support Cory Booker…. he just did something their leaders will never do!!!!
(https://x.com/WonderKing82/status/1907234571948593448?t=YMpnE0RnrIkmlXrUGAxyKg&s=03)
Malcolm Nance (@MalcolmNance) posted at 7:06 PM on Tue, Apr 01, 2025:
@SenBooker HAS SHOWED YOU WHAT LOVE OF COUNTRY LOOKS LIKE.
Learn the lesson.
Get into #GoodTrouble.
(https://x.com/MalcolmNance/status/1907223196316655709?t=FKVxlTSe-fqtXiiikBRh-Q&s=03)
Nicky Frank
@NickyFrank30
People who think marching around with signs, setting up tents on a quad, and reciting the same package talking points while standing behind a sign that says “Fight Oligarchy” complaining that Cory Booker was just doing a “performance” are really something else.
This is why no one wants to risk anything for you.
10:11 AM · Apr 2, 2025
https://x.com/NickyFrank30/status/1907450940132663471
Christopher Webb
@cwebbonline
This is Senator Jim Banks from Indiana. No need to tell you he’s a Republican—it’s clear by the cruel disdain he shows his own constituent who was laid off.
Also note: he waits until he’s safely behind his staff and the door is just about to close before telling him he deserved it and calling him a “clown.”
So, he’s not just cruel—he’s a coward.
https://x.com/cwebbonline/status/1907415329678213314
Good Morning, Everyone😊😊😊