WASHINGTON — In a chamber usually divided by deep partisan trenches, President Trump managed to do the unthinkable Tuesday night: he got some Democrats to stand and applaud.

.@POTUS: As we ensure that all Americans can profit from a rising stock market, let’s also ensure that members of Congress cannot corruptly profit using inside information. Pass the STOP Insider Trading Act WITHOUT DELAY.

“Did Nancy Pelosi stand up? Doubt it.” 🤣 pic.twitter.com/sTKvLYTcms

— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) February 25, 2026

And leading the charge? None other than Sen. Elizabeth Warren — a progressive standard-bearer and one of Trump’s most relentless critics.

The surprising moment came during President Donald Trump’s record-setting State of the Union address when he zeroed in on an issue that has long enraged everyday Americans: members of Congress cashing in on stock trades while sitting on sensitive information.

“As we ensure that all Americans can profit from a rising stock market, let’s also ensure that members of Congress cannot corruptly profit using inside information. Pass the Stop Insider Trading Act without delay,” Trump declared.

That line electrified parts of the chamber — including Warren, who rose to her feet in applause.

The Stop Insider Trading Act would prohibit lawmakers, along with their spouses and dependent children, from buying individual publicly traded stocks. It would also require a seven-day public disclosure before selling shares. In short, it aims to shut down the perception — and the possibility — that elected officials are gaming the market.

Warren has supported similar efforts in the past, and for a brief moment, policy trumped politics.

Trump, never one to let a political opportunity pass, took notice of the Democrats who stood.

“They stood up for that — I can’t believe it,” he said with visible satisfaction. Then came the jab that froze the room: “Did Nancy Pelosi stand up for that?”

“Doubt it,” he added.

Rep. Nancy Pelosi, the former House speaker, appeared stone-faced as the president’s barb landed. Republicans have long scrutinized the stock transactions made by her husband over the years, trades that critics argue were suspiciously well-timed.

According to Quiver Quantitative, Pelosi’s net worth exceeds $269 million, making her one of the wealthiest members of Congress. That figure has fueled years of conservative criticism about Washington insiders playing by a different set of rules than ordinary Americans.

The exchange was more than a policy disagreement — it was the latest chapter in a rivalry that dates back years. During Trump’s 2020 State of the Union, Pelosi memorably tore up a copy of his speech in full view of the cameras. Tuesday night’s swipe felt like payback.

The legislation has already cleared a House committee and now awaits a full vote in the lower chamber.

While much of the Democratic caucus sat in visible discomfort, there were flashes of applause throughout the night. Warren was also seen standing when Trump reiterated that Iran must never be allowed to obtain a nuclear weapon — a point that historically drew bipartisan agreement.

But the unity didn’t last.

Several Democrats disrupted the speech. Rep. Al Green was escorted out of the chamber for the second consecutive year after waving a sign reading, “Black People Aren’t Apes,” referencing controversy surrounding a recent Truth Social post.

Reps. Ilhan Omar and Rashida Tlaib also heckled the president repeatedly before exiting early.

In contrast, Republicans remained unified and enthusiastic behind Trump, with Vice President JD Vance and House Speaker Mike Johnson applauding prominently from the dais.

When Trump called for banning congressional stock trading, even his fiercest critics found it difficult to object. The proposal strikes at a frustration shared by millions of Americans who believe Washington elites too often enrich themselves while average families struggle.

If Democrats truly support the idea — as their applause suggested — they now face a choice: follow through with action or retreat into partisan reflex.

On Tuesday night, President Trump put them on record.