Al Green Protests Trump State of the Union With “Black People Aren’t Apes!” Sign
Texas Democratic Rep. Al Green was escorted from the House chamber Tuesday night after holding up a sign that read “Black People Aren’t Apes!” as President Donald Trump entered to deliver his State of the Union address.
The protest was aimed at a racist social media post shared by Trump depicting former President Barack Obama and former First Lady Michelle Obama as apes. Green lifted the sign as Trump walked past him into the chamber. At one point, Republican Rep. Steve Scalise attempted to grab the sign from Green’s hand. The congressman continued holding it up during the opening moments of the speech before the Sergeant at Arms removed him.
They had told their members they didn’t want them bringing in signs that could create awkward moments that could become a scene.
“There was an understanding that members are either going to plan to attend and those who are not going to attend are going to boycott the event and express their opposition to Donald Trump and a variety of the other different things that will be taking place,” House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries said earlier Tuesday, adding that he was “not concerned” anyone would defy his wishes.
Asked whether he had defied instructions from his party leaders, Green said: “I’m not defying the leadership. What I’m doing is making a point to the president.”
“At some point you cannot let racism continue. If you tolerate it, you perpetuate it. I refuse to tolerate racism. The president needs to know that Black people aren’t apes, and he should have apologized for what he did,” he said.
The 78 year old lawmaker’s protest follows a similar interruption last year during Trump’s joint address to Congress, when Green shouted in opposition to proposed Medicaid cuts. At the time, he said his outburst was triggered by Trump’s claim of having a mandate after the 2024 election. Republicans later passed those Medicaid reductions into law under Trump’s “One, Big, Beautiful Bill Act.”
Trump has declined to apologize for the post targeting the Obamas. The White House initially blamed an unnamed staffer, though Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt later appeared to contradict that explanation. When asked whether the staffer was disciplined, Trump said no.
Barack Obama addressed the controversy, saying most Americans find such behavior troubling and calling it a distraction from more serious issues facing the country. Most recently, Trump shared another post attacking Michelle Obama, referring to her as an “anti White racist.”
