Why did congresswomen wear pink for Trump’s speech—and why is it causing backlash?

Lawmakers dressed in pink to protest Trump’s policies, but the move drew mixed reactions online.

Democratic women in Congress made a striking statement at President Trump’s address to a joint session of Congress by wearing bright pink in protest of his policies. Led by Rep. Teresa Leger Fernández of New Mexico, the Democratic Women’s Caucus used the coordinated effort to highlight what they claim are policies that negatively impact women and working-class families.

"Pink is a color of power and protest," Fernández stated. "It’s time to rev up the opposition and come at Trump loud and clear."

Some Democratic members protesting Trump by wearing pink outfits pic.twitter.com/kgqKhIYniE

— Ken Klippenstein (@kenklippenstein) March 5, 2025

Ahead of the address, the 96-member caucus gathered outside the U.S. Capitol, with Fernández declaring, "Women cannot afford Trump. He costs us too much in terms of money, health, lives, and safety." She described the Republican agenda as "devastating for America’s women from cradle to old age."

However, the protest received mixed reactions online. Some questioned the effectiveness of symbolic gestures, with one user commenting, "Anything symbolic to avoid the actual work." Others were confused by the approach, writing, "I’m so confused by this strategy."

Anything symbolic to avoid the actual work

— Joy Henderson (@Joyhenderson78) March 5, 2025

I’m so confused by this strategy 😭😭😭😭

— ladidai (@ladidaix) 💋 see linkinbyeo (@ladidaix) March 5, 2025

Another criticized the lawmakers for what they saw as inconsistency, pointing out that some of them had opposed policies on gender in sports while now making a statement on women’s rights.

Democrat women who voted against banning men from girls' sports are wearing pink to protest President Trump. pic.twitter.com/uGSVAM8Kug

— George (@BehizyTweets) March 5, 2025

This is not the first time Democratic women in Congress have used their attire to send a political message. In 2017, they wore white to Trump’s first congressional address in recognition of women’s rights, and last year, they did the same at President Biden’s State of the Union to advocate for reproductive rights.

Despite the backlash, members of the caucus defended their stance, arguing that women’s health care decisions should remain in their hands, including access to birth control, abortion, and IVF.