Senator Booker Makes History with 25-Hour Marathon Speech Protesting Trump Administration.
Democratic U.S. Senator Cory Booker of New Jersey shattered the record for the longest speech in Senate history on Tuesday, speaking continuously for 25 hours and 5 minutes to protest what he described as President Donald Trump's "unconstitutional" actions. Beginning at 7:00 p.m. ET on Monday and concluding at 8:05 p.m. on Tuesday, Booker remained standing without bathroom breaks throughout his marathon address, surpassing the previous record of 24 hours and 18 minutes set by segregationist Senator Strom Thurmond in 1957. The speech, which was not a formal filibuster but did disrupt Senate business, focused on criticizing Trump's government efficiency initiatives led by Elon Musk and their impact on federal programs.
Breaking a Historic Record
Booker's speech symbolically reclaimed a Senate record previously held by a segregationist. His Democratic colleagues celebrated the moment he surpassed Thurmond's 68-year-old record.
"Strom Thurmond's record always... irked me," Booker later told MSNBC. "That the longest speech on our great Senate floor was someone trying to stop people like me from being in the Senate."
As he approached the record, the public galleries of the Senate chamber gradually filled with spectators, and more Democratic lawmakers joined the session, though Republicans largely stayed away. When Booker officially broke the record at 7:19 p.m. ET, fellow senators met his achievement with raucous applause.
"Do you know you have just broken the record?" Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer asked. "Do you know how proud this caucus is of you? Do you know how proud America is of you?"
The Physical Challenge
The rules for such marathon speeches are physically demanding. To maintain control of the Senate floor, Booker had to remain standing throughout his address and could not leave for bathroom breaks.
"I want to go a little bit past this and then I'm going to deal with some of the biological urgencies I'm feeling," Booker joked as he passed the record, according to Dawn.
Throughout the ordeal, Booker appeared to maintain his stamina. Around the 15-hour mark, one of his aides informed CNN that the senator reported he was "feeling good." Senator Chris Murphy, a Democrat from Connecticut who previously held the Senate floor for nearly 15 hours in 2016 advocating for gun control measures, spoke admiringly of Booker's endurance.
"It's tough to get your body past hour 22 and 23," Murphy said during the 23rd hour of the speech, according to the Times of India. "I just don't think he's going to stop until he has to."
A Protest Against Trump's Policies
Booker's speech was explicitly framed as a protest against the Trump administration's policies, particularly those related to government restructuring led by Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).
"Americans of all backgrounds are bearing unnecessary hardships. And institutions special in America, which are precious and unique in our country, are being recklessly — and I would say even unconstitutionally — affected, attacked, even shattered," Booker said, according to Dawn.
The 55-year-old senator criticized proposed reductions to Social Security offices and expressed concerns about potential broader cuts to social safety net programs. He also addressed Trump's use of the Alien Enemies Act for expedited deportations and the administration's reliance on Signal for military discussions regarding Yemen.
"In just 71 days, the president of the United States has inflicted so much harm on Americans' safety, financial stability, the core foundations of our democracy," Booker stated, according to Dawn.
Democratic Response to Pressure
Booker's marathon speech comes when Democratic voters have grown increasingly frustrated with their party's leadership for not more aggressively countering Trump's agenda.
"I have been receiving messages from people across my state and indeed the entire nation, urging Congress to take more decisive action and acknowledge the urgency of this crisis," Booker said in a video shared on social media Monday night, as reported by The Washington Post.
Some Democrats pointed to Booker's speech as evidence that they had heard these concerns. "Democrats are taking the offensive," claimed Senator Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota, the No. 3 Senate Democrat, speaking to reporters on Tuesday afternoon. "Look at Cory Booker," The Washington Post reported.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, who recently faced criticism for voting alongside eight other Democratic senators to advance a spending bill supported by Trump, praised Booker's effort. "The fervor of the Democrats and their determination to resist was perfectly illustrated by Cory Booker's remarkable performance on the Senate floor," Schumer remarked to reporters on Tuesday evening, according to The Washington Post.
Viral Moment for Democrats
Booker's speech generated significant online attention, providing a rare moment when Democrats dominated the news cycle since Trump returned to office.
According to Axios, by 5:00 p.m. ET on Tuesday, Booker's live stream had garnered more than 73,000 views. The Associated Press stream had more than 77,000 views, and another on X (formerly Twitter) had more than 576,000. Google searches for Booker reportedly spiked 1,000%—to more than half a million queries—since his speech began Monday night.
The Times of India reported that Booker's TikTok account's live feed had accumulated more than 220 million likes by early Tuesday night, even before he surpassed the 24-hour mark, sparking numerous fan edits and widespread attention.
White House Response
The White House responded dismissively to Booker's marathon speech. Harrison Fields, a White House spokesperson, mocked the senator by referencing his unsuccessful 2020 presidential campaign.
"Cory Booker is looking for another 'I am Spartacus' moment, but that didn't work for his failed presidential campaign, and it didn't work to block President Trump's Supreme Court nominee, Brett Kavanaugh. When will he realize he's not Spartacus — he's a spoof?" Fields said in a statement, according to the Times of India.
Historical Context
Booker's speech draws comparisons to famous filibusters and extended Senate speeches of the past. The previous record holder, Strom Thurmond, spoke for 24 hours and 18 minutes against the Civil Rights Act of 1957, starkly contrasting Booker's purpose.
During his address, Booker also surpassed the 22-hour, 26-minute mark set by Senator Wayne Morse, a Democrat from Oregon, in 1953, making his speech the second longest in Senate history before ultimately claiming the top spot.
More recently, Texas Senator Ted Cruz delivered a 21-hour filibuster in 2013 against the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare), and Senator Chris Murphy spoke for nearly 15 hours in 2016 advocating for gun control measures following the Orlando nightclub shooting.
Unlike some of these previous marathon speeches, Booker's address was not technically a filibuster, as it was not designed to obstruct passage of a bill. However, it did hold up legislative business in the Senate on Tuesday.
Collaborative Effort
Throughout his marathon speech, Booker received support from fellow Democratic senators who posed questions to give him brief respites from speaking continuously.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, Senator Dick Durbin of Illinois, and Senator Kirsten Gillibrand of New York were among those who participated. According to Al Jazeera, Booker was joined by over two dozen Democratic senators and Senator Angus King of Maine, an independent who caucuses with Democrats.
According to the BBC, "I just want to thank you for holding vigil for this country all night," Senator Raphael Warnock told Booker on the floor.
A Call to Action
Booker framed his speech as criticism of the Trump administration and a call for broader civic engagement. He invoked the words of his mentor, civil rights icon John Lewis, who encouraged people to get into "good trouble."
"What has transpired in the last 71 days is a clear illustration of a time when John Lewis' message has, I believe, become increasingly urgent and vital," Booker said, according to Al Jazeera.
As he concluded his remarks, Booker emphasized the power of collective action. "This is a moral moment. It's not left or right. It's right or wrong," Booker said as he wrapped up, according to Dawn. He also quoted John Lewis about getting into "good trouble," before finally pronouncing "Madam President, I yield the floor."
In his final message, Booker encouraged those opposed to Trump's policies, saying that "the power of the people is greater than the people in power," Dawn reported.
Impact and Implications
Booker's historic speech represents a significant moment for Democratic resistance to the Trump administration, though its long-term impact remains to be seen. For a party struggling with approval ratings and direction after losing control of the White House, Senate, and House, this dramatic gesture could potentially energize the Democratic base.
As the 2026 midterm elections approach, Democrats will look for effective strategies to counter Trump's agenda and regain political momentum. Whether Booker's marathon speech marks the beginning of a more assertive Democratic opposition or remains a singular moment of protest will likely depend on how party leaders build upon this event in the coming months.
It is clear that Booker has secured his place in Senate history. He has reclaimed a record previously held by a segregationist and transformed it into a symbol of resistance against policies he views as threatening American democracy and institutions.