President Donald Trump took aim at radical left-wing protesters during his January 6, 2026, address, following the U.S. military operation that captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife. In the speech, Trump mocked the demonstrators, saying, “These people are a mess. Where do they find these people? They are the worst looking people I've ever seen.”

The remarks came in the context of contrasting New York anti-intervention protesters with the overwhelmingly supportive crowds in Venezuela following the Delta Force-led Operation Absolute Resolve. Trump characterized the U.S. protesters as “paid” and poorly attired, using humor and derision to reinforce his broader political messaging.

Trump’s comments reflect his longstanding tactic of personalizing attacks on political opponents while highlighting successes in U.S. foreign policy. The military operation in Venezuela, conducted without American casualties, was widely reported as a triumph, and a 2025 Pew survey indicated that 62% of Americans supported the intervention, citing economic gains from renewed access to Venezuelan oil and disruption of narco-terror networks.

By juxtaposing the chaotic demonstrations at home with orderly, appreciative crowds abroad, Trump reinforced his narrative that his administration’s decisive actions abroad strengthen national security and garner public approval, while domestic leftist opposition remains marginal and performative.