During the State of the Union address, Megyn Kelly drew a controversial comparison between Democrat Ilhan Omar’s vocal outburst and an infamous awards show incident involving a Tourette’s Syndrome advocate. The former Fox News anchor expressed her astonishment at Omar’s boisterous interruptions, likening them to John Davidson’s involuntary racial slur shouted at black actors during the British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) ceremony. Omar, alongside fellow Democrat Rashida Tlaib, loudly criticized President Trump, accusing him of prioritizing illegal aliens over American citizens.

Kelly criticized Omar for her inability to restrain her language, suggesting that she should face disciplinary action in the House. At one point, both Omar and Tlaib shouted in unison, labeling Trump a “liar” and accusing him of having “American blood on his hands.” Their protests were overshadowed by the Republican majority, who countered with chants of “USA, USA.” Kelly remarked that Omar’s behavior was reminiscent of the BAFTA incident, where obscenities were hurled indiscriminately. Her remarks came as a CNN poll revealed that 64% of viewers reacted favorably to Trump’s address, which Kelly praised as the longest in American history, lasting just under one hour and 48 minutes.

Kelly further commented on the president’s delivery, describing it as “vintage Trump fashion,” and commended the White House for selecting remarkable individuals to honor throughout the speech. “Incredible people like war heroes and Olympic champions were recognized,” Kelly noted, giving credit to the White House team for their choices. She also acknowledged Trump’s empathetic acknowledgment of those affected by what he termed Democrats’ extreme policies on crime and immigration. The address, she observed, seemed to resonate well with the audience. In response, Trump criticized Omar and Tlaib in a scathing post on Truth Social.

‘When you watch Low IQ Ilhan Omar and Rashida Tlaib, as they screamed uncontrollably last night at the very elegant State of the Union, such an important and beautiful event, they had the bulging, bloodshot eyes of crazy people, LUNATICS, mentally deranged and sick who, frankly, look like they should be institutionalized,’ he wrote. The address took place just days after campaigner Davidson unwittingly caused a huge backlash after he verbally accosted actors Michael B Jordan and Delroy Lindo during the glitzy award show.

The campaigner was invited to the ceremony because a film about his life and struggles with Tourette’s was up for an award. Davidson, 54, was diagnosed with Tourette’s in his childhood, when little was known about the condition, and has since dedicated his life to raising awareness. His presence at the showpiece ceremony in central London has provoked criticism as he was accused of racism and the BBC was also condemned. He was heard to yell the N-word while Michael B Jordan and Delroy Lindo were on stage to present the first award at London’s Royal Festival Hall.

The outburst was audible on BBC1’s initial broadcast of the show, before later being removed Jordan and Lindo, stars of the movie Sinners, did not react on stage but host Alan Cumming later said, ‘We apologise if it has caused offence’, and Davidson made the decision to leave the ceremony halfway through after a series of outbursts. Davidson also later issued a statement saying he was ‘mortified’ if anyone was offended but explaining that it is a symptom of his condition. Davidson is no stranger to controversy – after previously shouting ‘[expletive] the Queen’ at the late Elizabeth II and prompted a bomb scare at Buckingham Palace.