On March 6, 2025, a group of female House Democrats teamed up with social media influencer Sulhee Jessica Woo to release a TikTok video that quickly spiraled into internet infamy.
Titled “Choose Your Fighter,” the short clip was intended as a playful nod to Women’s History Month, featuring prominent Democratic congresswomen posing as video game characters in a style reminiscent of classic fighting games like Street Fighter or Super Smash Bros. However, what was meant to be a lighthearted showcase of “girl power” and political grit turned into a lightning rod for mockery across social media and beyond.
Who Was in the Video?
The video starred a lineup of notable Democratic representatives, each introduced with a mix of professional accolades and quirky personal traits, displayed on-screen as if they were selectable characters in a game.
The participants included:
Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY): Highlighted as the “youngest woman and Latina to be elected to the House,” with “Trekkie” listed as a standout skill, nodding to her love for Star Trek.
Rep. Jasmine Crockett (D-TX): Presented as an “attorney and public defender,” tempered by the relatable weakness of “not a morning person.”
Rep. Lauren Underwood (D-IL): Noted for her congressional role, with a dislike for balloons as her quirky trait.
Rep. Katherine Clark (D-MA): The House Minority Whip, who declared she “doesn’t like hair dye.”
Rep. Judy Chu (D-CA): Another congressional veteran featured in the lineup.
Rep. Susie Lee (D-NV): Rounding out the group with her own fighter pose.
Sulhee Jessica Woo: The TikTok influencer behind the video, known as the “Bento Box Queen,” who kicked things off with her own stats, including “mommy of the century” and “sleep deprived.”
Set to the iconic Super Smash Bros. character selection music, the women jumped into frame one by one, striking awkward fighting stances against a backdrop that included zebra stripes—a setting that only added to the surreal vibe.
Why Did It Air?
The video was posted by Woo to her 5.6 million TikTok followers on March 6, just a day after President Donald Trump’s address to Congress on March 5, 2025.
Billed as a Women’s History Month tribute, it carried hashtags like #womenshistorymonth, #womenwhofight, and #savedemocracy, suggesting an intent to celebrate female leadership while subtly positioning these lawmakers as champions of progressive values.
For some, like Rep. Crockett, it was also a chance to humanize politicians—showing they’re “real people” who can “have a little fun,” as she later remarked in defense of the effort. Yet, its timing—right after a contentious Trump speech where some Democrats protested—framed it as a tone-deaf follow-up, amplifying perceptions of performative politics over substance.
The Mocking That Followed
Almost immediately, the video became a punching bag for critics across the political spectrum.
Social media platforms, especially X, lit up with reactions ranging from bemusement to outright disdain. Conservatives pounced first, with figures like Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) tying it to broader criticisms, writing on X, “Trump Deranged Democrats release ‘choose your fighter skit’ after refusing to stand and clap for a child with cancer during President Trump’s address to Congress.
Democrats have sunk so low that I’m actually starting to feel sorry for them.” The Trump administration’s Rapid Response account piled on, posting, “Democrats Not Be Cringe Challenge.
Level: Impossible,” alongside the clip.
Pundits and commentators joined the fray. CNN’s Scott Jennings quipped, “This cannot possibly be real,” while journalist Peter Hamby pointed out the video’s datedness, noting, “The ‘Choose Your Fighter’ trend was popular on TikTok like three years ago.”
Others, like conservative commentator Ryan James Girdusky, remarked, “There are just some people who don’t have anyone in their lives willing to tell them to stop.”
Even some liberals winced—one X user, identifying as a Democrat, called it “hilariously cringey,” questioning its effectiveness in connecting with voters.
The White House itself turned the tables, releasing a rival video on March 6 featuring Trump, Vice President JD Vance, and other administration figures like Kristi Noem and Tom Homan, captioned, “America Chose Its Fighters Last November.” The contrast—polished, serious, and action-oriented—only deepened the Democrats’ embarrassment.
Why the Backlash?
The mockery stemmed from a mix of factors: the video’s awkward execution, with some lawmakers visibly uncomfortable in their poses; its perceived pandering to a younger audience that didn’t buy it; and its timing amid a politically charged week.
Critics argued it epitomized a broader Democratic struggle—relying on optics and “cringe” stunts rather than substantive messaging, especially after their electoral losses in November 2024. As one X user put it, “This is beyond parody. It’s embarrassing.
Their entire playbook isn’t about ideas, but about performance: dances, chants, optics.”
Despite a few defenders—like one commenter who said, “Well at least they are trying”—the consensus was clear: the “Choose Your Fighter” video landed a knockout blow to the Democrats’ credibility, not their opponents.
For a party grappling with how to regain traction, it was a reminder that not every swing connects—and some just leave you open to a counterpunch.
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