Sen. Cory Booker's marathon speech in protest of Trump breaks Strom Thurmond's record

New Jersey Democratic Sen. Cory Booker’s all-night speech that began Monday evening in protest of President Donald Trump’s agenda broke the filibuster record for longest speech on Senate floor over 24 hours later — with hundreds of thousands of viewers online.

His livestream on the short-form video platform TikTok hosted on his page @senbooker had gained more than 151 million likes as of 4 p.m. Tuesday, and livestream viewers have fluctuated between 52,000 and 57,000 around the same time.

And on YouTube, Booker has been livestreaming his speech as well, with over 68,000 people watching as of Tuesday afternoon.

Booker, 55, took to the Senate floor on Monday evening saying he would remain there as long as he was “physically able,” the Associated Press reported.

“These are not normal times in our nation,” Booker said at the start of his speech, the AP said. “And they should not be treated as such in the United States Senate. The threats to the American people and American democracy are grave and urgent, and we all must do more to stand against them.”

On Tuesday morning, fellow Democrats gave him a break from speaking to ask him questions, according to the AP. Booker said he would yield for questions but would not give up the Senate floor.

.@SenSchumer: "Would the Senator yield for a question?"@SenBooker: "Chuck Schumer, it's the only time in my life I can tell you no."

Schumer: "I just wanted to tell you, a question, do you know you have just broken the record?" pic.twitter.com/kRPK5Iq659

— CSPAN (@cspan) April 1, 2025

The late Sen. Strom Thurmond of South Carolina held the record for the longest individual speech, according to the Senate’s website, the AP said. He filibustered for 24 hours and 18 minutes against the Civil Rights Act of 1957. Booker surpassed that after 7 p.m. on Tuesday.

Democratic allies of Booker’s took to the social media platform X to express their thoughts on his marathon speech thus far.

Some are dismissing Cory Booker’s Senate floor protest as just performative politics. But performative politics matters!

It drives headlines — even on Fox. To break through, you have to show up and speak out.

This is how messages get heard. pic.twitter.com/dK2YsDYCvc

— Matt McDermott (@mattmfm) April 1, 2025

Cory Booker goes OFF on Trump in the 17th hour of his filibuster: “He promised to lower your grocery prices - they’re higher. Over and over he’s breaking promises and doing outrageous things like disappearing people off American streets. Do we see what’s happening?” pic.twitter.com/j1gIky6KLV

— Marco Foster (@MarcoFoster_) April 1, 2025

Political reporters and commentators shared their thoughts as well.

do you think Cory Booker can make it for 3 years and about 10 months longer?

— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) April 1, 2025

I worked for Cory Booker on the campaign trail and (and I say this with love) that man drinks enough caffeine on a normal day to stay up 72 hours. This could go a while.

— Alexandra De Luca (@AlexDe_Luca) April 1, 2025

BREAKING: Cory Booker has now been holding the Senate floor for an incredible 21 hours.

And he's only getting stronger with every passing minute. This 1-minute clip right now should mark a pivotal moment for the Democratic Party. It’s a turning point for all Americans who care… pic.twitter.com/5WBmLFbx6E

— Brian Krassenstein (@krassenstein) April 1, 2025