Sen. Cory Booker shattered a nearly 70-year record Tuesday with the longest Senate speech in history, and went viral while doing it.
The powerful moment quickly led to public accolades from Democratic leaders after the New Jersey senator broke segregationist Strom Thurmond’s 1957 record, yielding after 25 hours and 5 minutes.
But across social media platforms like TikTok, Instagram and X, the excitement was even louder.
“Despite the record, I hope everyone can comprehend that Cory Booker is a great American and realize that his speech has encouraged other politicians to stand up and fight. For the 1st time in a LONG time, I’m proud to be an American because I feel empowered with his speech,” one user wrote on X.
“As an American Citizen & a human being, I could not be more proud of you for giving the longest floor speech in history to bring attention to what is happening to our country,” an X user posted. “In a country of Trumps, Musks & Bannon, please be more like Cory Booker! #ProudofCoryBooker.”
Another person wrote on X: “I cannot ignore the fact that the record held by Strom Thurman was for his stance against ending segregation…Cory Booker‘s was about American values…a complete opposite…his was a speech for the ages…inspiring…”
Fan edit videos of Booker’s speech also exploded on TikTok.
The livestream on Booker’s TikTok was viewed by more than 300,000 people at once and had over 350 million “likes,” his office said. Clips of the speech posted on Booker’s official government Instagram account have been viewed hundreds of thousands of times as of Wednesday morning.
“YOU DID IT Record breaking and inspirational,” one Instagram user commented on a clip of Booker reading letters from constituents.
“You broke the record but more importantly — you showed us that you truly LOVE this country and you’re willing to fight for us!” another user commented. “I hope someone honors your dedication and commitment and sacrifice and takes the podium to continue. Thank you Senator Booker!!”
One person said the speech made them “cry so many times.”
Another video showed the moment the room erupted in applause and cheers as Booker crossed Thurmond’s record of 24 hours and 18 minutes.
“This is the history we should be craving. First proud American moment this year, thank you,” an Instagram user posted in the comments.
Another wrote: “So very proud of you! My daughter is 14 and I shared your story with her tonight. She said, ‘Maybe I can vote for him to be president one day.'”
“I was SOBBING when you said ‘I know now’. History has its eyes on you, Senator. You got in some good trouble tonight. John and your dad would be so proud!” another user wrote on Instagram, referring to the famous speech by the late civil rights icon John Lewis.
Booker became known early on for his social media presence, often communicating with the public on X, seeking out pizza restaurant recommendations, and shoveling snow after someone tweeted at him that their grandfather could not do it and needed help.
He said on MSNBC Tuesday night that it was a “long 25 hours,” but he’s feeling a lot of gratitude.
The senator prepared for the monumental moment with over 1,164 pages of material, fasted for several days, and stopped drinking water so he would not have to use the bathroom.
In a statement after leaving the Senate floor, Booker addressed the public.
“I may be tired and a little hoarse, but as I said again and again on the Senate floor, this is a moment where we cannot afford to be silent, when we must speak up. What’s most clear to me tonight is that this is just the beginning, that Americans across this country, no matter their title or party, are ready to be heard,” he wrote in a post on X.
He continued: “I believe that history will show we rose to meet this moment. It will show we did not let the chaos and division go unanswered. It will show that when our president chose to spread lies and sow fear, we chose to come together, to work together, and to rise together.”
