Elissa Slotkin delivers Democrats' rebuttal: 'Trump would have lost us the Cold War'

In the Democratic rebuttal to President Donald Trump’s joint congressional address on Tuesday, Michigan Senator Elissa Slotkin sharply criticized the president’s policies, arguing they would have dire consequences for everyday Americans.
Slotkin, a first-term senator with a robust national security background, was selected by Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, who described her as “nothing short of a rising star in our party.” Speaking from Wyandotte, Michigan, a working-class community south of Detroit, Slotkin took aim at Trump’s economic and foreign policies, particularly his newly announced 25% tariffs on imports from Mexico and Canada, which she warned could lead to inflation and economic stagnation.
“It’s late,” Slotkin began. “So I promise to be a lot shorter than what you just watched.” Her speech lasted just over 10 minutes, in stark contrast to Trump’s record-setting hour and 40-minute address.
Slotkin did not hold back in her criticism of the former president, accusing him of prioritizing the wealthy over working-class Americans. “He’s on the hunt to find trillions of dollars to pass along to the wealthiest in America,” she said. “Trump is trying to deliver an unprecedented giveaway to his billionaire friends.”
The senator, known for her moderate stance within the Democratic Party, also addressed concerns over the administration’s handling of foreign affairs, particularly Trump’s tense exchange with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. “The scene in the Oval Office on Friday wasn’t just a bad episode of reality TV,” she said. “It summed up Trump’s approach to the world. He believes in cozying up to dictators like Vladimir Putin and kicking our friends like the Canadians in the teeth.”
Slotkin invoked historical perspective in her remarks, contrasting Trump’s leadership with that of former President Ronald Reagan. “As a Cold War kid, I’m thankful it was Reagan and not Trump in office in the 1980s. Trump would have lost us the Cold War,” she said.
Slotkin’s rise in the Democratic Party has been swift. A former CIA analyst, she first ran for office in 2018, defeating a two-term Republican incumbent. Her reputation as a formidable fundraiser and her success in a battleground state have positioned her as a key figure in the party’s future. After securing a Senate seat in 2023 following Senator Debbie Stabenow’s retirement, Slotkin’s response to Trump’s address signals her growing prominence in national politics.
(With inputs from agencies)