It’s hard to steal the spotlight from President Trump, but 13-year-old DJ Daniel managed to do just that during Tuesday night’s address to Congress. The young cancer survivor—who has long dreamed of becoming a police officer—was honored in a moment so pure, so genuinely moving, that even the most cynical observer would have struggled to stay dry-eyed. Well, most observers. Because, naturally, some Democrats couldn’t even muster the basic decency to stand and clap for a kid who beat brain cancer and loves law enforcement.
Trump introduced DJ to the crowd, recounting his incredible story. Diagnosed with brain cancer in 2018, doctors gave him five months to live. That was over six years ago. Instead of giving up, DJ fought through, and along the way, he dedicated himself to honoring police officers and first responders—true American heroes, the very people that the left has spent years demonizing.
The audience erupted in applause, with chants of “DJ! DJ!” filling the chamber. But as the cameras panned the room, a few conspicuously stiff, silent figures remained seated—Democrats who apparently couldn’t bring themselves to celebrate a 13-year-old cancer survivor because, heaven forbid, he loves cops.
Then came the real moment of the night. Trump, ever the showman, had a surprise in store. After detailing how DJ had already been made an honorary officer in local police departments, Trump took it one step further.
“Tonight, DJ, we’re going to do you the biggest honor of them all,” Trump announced. “I am asking our new Secret Service Director, Sean Curran, to officially make you an agent of the United States.”
And just like that, Curran walked over and presented DJ with a customized Secret Service badge, sealing the deal in front of the entire country. The crowd roared, chants broke out again, and for a brief moment, the usual political rancor faded as people celebrated this incredible young man.
I have a new hero! DJ Daniel, congratulations on making the cut as a secret service agent! This moment brought me to tears to see a young mans dream fulfilled beyond what he could imagine. Thank you @realDonaldTrump for recognizing him! pic.twitter.com/wykZHGGuz5
— 🦆𝕮𝖔𝖔𝖓𝕯𝖆𝖜𝖌 🦆 (@timfisher836) March 5, 2025
But not everyone could manage to clap. Some Democrats sat stone-faced, refusing to join in the celebration. Maybe they were still seething that their carefully coordinated, scripted anti-Trump messaging had crashed and burned. Maybe they just can’t bring themselves to applaud any moment that happens on Trump’s watch. Or maybe, as former White House Press Secretary Ari Fleischer put it on X, “If the Ds can’t clap for a beautiful 13-year-old boy who wants to become a cop, there’s something really wrong with them.”
Meanwhile at MSNBC:
This is genuinely the most repulsive comment I’ve heard in a very long time from anyone on television.
MSNBC’s Nicolle Wallace politicizes young DJ’s moment at Trump’s speech:
“I hope he has a long life as a law enforcement officer, but I hope he never has to defend the United… pic.twitter.com/fcPA26djrx
— Charlie Kirk (@charliekirk11) March 5, 2025
They are truly horrible:
Rachel Maddow says President Trump celebrating a young cancer survivor “disgusting”:
“For the record—and this is disgusting—the President made a spectacle out of praising a young man who thus far survived pediatric cancer, as if the President had something to do with that.”… pic.twitter.com/tpPbzhO6Mq
— Charlie Kirk (@charliekirk11) March 5, 2025
Whatever their reason, it speaks volumes. Democrats are so entrenched in their anti-law enforcement, anti-Trump hysteria that they can’t even pretend to celebrate an inspiring story unless it checks all their ideological boxes. Imagine being so politically bitter that you can’t bring yourself to stand for a cancer survivor being honored by the President of the United States.
The moment wasn’t just about DJ—it was about the kind of America Trump is fighting for. One that honors bravery, resilience, and law enforcement. One that believes in making dreams come true. And one that, unlike the miserable left, still knows how to stand up and cheer for something truly good.
