Congresswoman Lori Trahan says she boycotted State of the Union, cites rising costs and donor influence

Congresswoman Lori Trahan announced she chose to boycott President Donald Trump’s State of the Union address, posting statements that criticized his record on the economy and public safety. Trahan, who represents Westford, said in a social media statement that while she respects the office of the president and the tradition of the address, she would not attend.

Trahan said families “are facing higher prices at the grocery store and on their utility bills and at the pharmacy,” and accused the president of enriching himself and his billionaire donors while “hardworking Americans struggle to make ends meet.” In the statement she urged colleagues to spend their time working on legislation rather than attending the address.

In a follow-up statement after the speech, Trahan said Mr. Trump failed to make lowering costs and improving community safety the focus of the address. “He spent two hours trying to convince Americans not to believe their own eyes and their own wallets,” the statement said, adding that the president had spent time discussing foreign conflicts and attacking political opponents instead of outlining plans to reduce household costs.

Trahan’s statement blamed the president’s tariff and economic policies for producing “higher costs, greater uncertainty and fewer opportunities for hardworking families.” The statements were posted publicly; the transcript provided does not report any direct response from the White House or from the president.

There was no formal vote or committee action recorded in the transcript. Trahan’s announcement and the follow-up statements stand as public political commentary and are not recorded here as formal congressional action.