By The Daily Wire (World News) | Created at 2025-04-02 00:05:08 | Updated at 2025-04-04 22:37:29
3 days ago
Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ), a failed presidential candidate famous for his “Spartacus” moment, made history on Wednesday with his remarks on the Senate floor criticizing President Donald Trump’s policies.
The speech began at roughly 7 p.m. ET on Monday and kept going through the night and into Tuesday. At times, other Democrats gave Booker a small reprieve when they asked him questions.
By 7:18 p.m. ET on Tuesday, Booker broke the record held by the late Strom Thurmond from South Carolina, which was 24 hours and 18 minutes with a filibuster against the 1957 Civil Rights Act.
BREAKING: Sen Cory Booker has now spoken continuously on the floor for more time than any other Senator in history, beating Sen Strom Thurmond's record of 24 hours and 18 minutes. pic.twitter.com/IzUmUQ74qc
— Frank Thorp V (@frankthorp) April 1, 2025
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) asked Booker if he realized that he just broke the record. The top Democrat also noted that their caucus and America were “proud” of Booker.
Booker, who snagged a tissue and wiped his forehead, silently took in the moment as people in the room cheered and applauded. Moments earlier, Booker noted he was there “despite” Thurmond’s speech.
.@SenSchumer: "Would the Senator yield for a question?"@SenBooker: "Chuck Schumer, it's the only time in my life I can tell you no."
Schumer: "I just wanted to tell you, a question, do you know you have just broken the record?" pic.twitter.com/kRPK5Iq659
— CSPAN (@cspan) April 1, 2025
The stunt comes as Democrats face low approval ratings and Schumer grapples with a crisis of confidence after he refused to vote in favor of blocking a GOP-backed bill to avert a partial government shutdown.
Democrats claimed the speech a “filibuster,” but The New York Times reported that Booker’s remarks did not qualify as one because it did not come during a debate on a bill or nominee.
Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX), who delivered a filibuster of 21 hours and 19 minutes against Obamacare in 2013, cheekily responded with an emoji of Homer Simpson crying when Booker passed his mark.
https://t.co/g2FZeVFicW pic.twitter.com/8wiuL2Sbu0
— Ted Cruz (@tedcruz) April 1, 2025
It got rough for Booker at times. Just before 10 a.m. ET on Tuesday, the senator nearly cut short his remarks when he quickly corrected himself after saying he yielded the floor for a colleague.
In hour 14, a wild-eyed Cory Booker is getting confused:
"I yield the floor…while retaining the floor." https://t.co/dutRa8Yduy pic.twitter.com/G0Em4WQcyM
— Western Lensman (@WesternLensman) April 1, 2025
While the marathon anti-Trump speech took place, some of Booker’s Republican colleagues took swipes at him. “Is anyone listening?” Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX) asked on X after Booker hit 13 hours.
The White House also got in a jab, with a spokesman saying Booker was “looking for another ‘I am Spartacus’ moment” after his high-profile speech in 2018 failed to derail Brett Kavanaugh’s rise to the Supreme Court.
