On February 24, 2026, Hollywood actors Robert De Niro and Mark Ruffalo will participate in the 'Drain the Swamp' event at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C., alongside civic leaders, journalists, and political figures including Stacey Abrams, Jim Acosta, and others. Organized by DEFIANCE.org, the Portland Frog Brigade, and COURIER, the event coincides with the State of the Union Address and aims to serve as a bold, unfiltered political protest against Donald Trump's presidency and its abuses of power. The event will feature live counter-addresses, truth-telling, and satirical symbolism such as attendees in green or frog attire to mock authoritarianism and challenge the politicization of protest. Key speakers include Rep. Jason Crow, Ruth Ben-Ghiat, Mehdi Hasan, and Brian Karem, among others, representing a mix of political, scholarly, and media voices. The gathering seeks to increase activism, shift media narratives, and potentially reconfigure political alliances, emphasizing unity across party lines in defending democracy. The event will be available via free livestream, with proceeds supporting efforts to counter Trump's abuses. The organizers promise a night of laughter, defiance, and important dialogue, aiming to ignite a movement that resists authoritarian threats and promotes civic engagement.