WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump ignited a fresh wave of political and personal controversy Wednesday, using his Truth Social platform to launch a scathing “tirade” against Democratic Congresswomen Ilhan Omar and Rashida Tlaib, as well as longtime celebrity adversaries Robert De Niro and Rosie O’Donnell. The verbal assault, occurring less than 24 hours after his 2026 State of the Union address, saw the President labeling his critics as “lunatics” and “mentally deranged,” while renewing calls for the lawmakers to be “sent back” from the United States.
Confrontation at the Capitol
The President’s comments were triggered by visible friction during Tuesday night’s joint session of Congress. Reps. Omar (D-MN) and Tlaib (D-MI) reportedly heckled Trump during his address, a move the President characterized as “uncontrollable” screaming.
“When you watch Low IQ Ilhan Omar and Rashida Tlaib… they had the bulging, bloodshot eyes of crazy people,” Trump wrote to his followers on Feb. 25. He further suggested the lawmakers “should be institutionalized,” adding, “we should send them back from where they came — as fast as possible.”
The rhetoric echoes previous controversial statements made by the President regarding the “Squad” members’ origins. Rep. Omar, a naturalized U.S. citizen since 2000, arrived in the country as a refugee from Somalia. Rep. Tlaib was born in Detroit, Michigan.
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Expanding the Feud: De Niro and O’Donnell
The President’s digital outreach quickly pivoted from legislative foes to Hollywood icons. Trump directed his ire toward Oscar-winner Robert De Niro, 82, who had headlined a “State of the Swamp” counterprogramming event at the National Press Club the previous evening.
- The Allegation: Trump accused De Niro of being “sick and demented” and claimed, without providing evidence, that some of the actor’s recent statements were “seriously CRIMINAL.”
- The Comparison: Trump mocked De Niro for becoming emotional during his speech, comparing him to comedian Rosie O’Donnell. He claimed O’Donnell is currently in Ireland “trying to figure out how to come back” to the U.S.
“The only difference between De Niro and Rosie is that she is probably somewhat smarter than him, which isn’t saying much,” Trump stated.
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De Niro’s “State of the Swamp” Call to Action
The President’s attacks appear to be a direct response to De Niro’s escalating rhetoric. During his Tuesday speech in Washington, D.C., the Killers of the Flower Moon star told attendees he felt “betrayed” by his country.
“If you’re devoted to the Constitution and the rule of law… be ready to take the streets together, and we will take our country back,” De Niro said. Earlier in the week, appearing on the podcast The Best People, De Niro went further, labeling the President “the enemy of this country.”
A Deepening Divide
The exchange highlights the deepening polarization following the longest State of the Union address in U.S. history. While the President touted a “Bigger, Better, Richer, and Stronger” America, his critics are increasingly utilizing high-profile platforms to question his fitness for office and his adherence to the rule of law.
As of Wednesday afternoon, spokespeople for Reps. Omar and Tlaib have not issued formal rebuttals to the Truth Social posts, though both have historically leaned into their roles as the President’s primary antagonists on the House floor.
What’s Next: Congressional leadership has yet to comment on whether the conduct during the State of the Union or the President’s subsequent response warrants any formal inquiry or censure.
