Ohio Rep. Tim Ryan is fundraising over his early departure from the State of the Union.
The former 2020 Democrat, who dropped out of the presidential race in October, announced Tuesday night that he walked out of President Trump’s annual State of the Union address, asserting he’d “had enough.”
“I just walked out of the #StateOfTheUnion. I’ve had enough. It’s like watching professional wrestling. It’s all fake,” he said.
In a fundraising email to supporters Wednesday morning, Ryan asked voters to donate to his campaign.
“Taking a stand like this has its risks, but it’s worth it. We need to stand up for our values. Donald Trump’s theatrics and lies may make for good politics for him, but they are bad for our country,” the email reads. “My district in Ohio is one of the country’s most competitive. Donald Trump and his allies will be pouring funds in to try to defeat me, especially after tonight. Will you stand with me by chipping in?”
Ryan, 46, was not alone in his decision to leave the president’s address early. Democratic Massachusetts Rep. Seth Moulton, 41, also walked out after Trump began touting the military’s accomplishments, calling the president a “draft dodger.”
“I left the #SOTU after Trump—a draft dodger who has mocked Sen. John McCain, Gold Star families, and soldiers with traumatic brain injury—started talking about the good he has done for our military,” Moulton said.
I left the #SOTU after Trump—a draft dodger who has mocked Sen. John McCain, Gold Star families, and soldiers with traumatic brain injury—started talking about the good he has done for our military.
— Seth Moulton (@sethmoulton) February 5, 2020
Several other Democratic lawmakers indicated that they also left the address early, while freshman New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez skipped the event altogether.
I walked out of that speech. The lies, the bigotry, and the shameless bragging about taking away food stamps that people depend on to live—it was all beneath the dignity of the office he occupies. Shame on this forever impeached president.
— Rashida Tlaib (@RashidaTlaib) February 5, 2020
I just walked out of the #StateOfTheUnion. I can’t stand a liar. This man’s presidency is a national tragedy.
— Bill Pascrell, Jr. (@BillPascrell) February 5, 2020
