A Democratic U.S. representative was escorted from President Donald Trump's State of the Union address on Tuesday evening (February 24) after displaying a sign condemning racism during the prime-time speech. The incident occurred as Trump addressed a joint session of Congress, with veteran Texas Congressman Al Green holding a placard reading "Black people aren't apes!" — a direct response to a controversial video recently shared on the president's social media account.
Eyewitnesses reported that Green, who has served in Congress since 2005, stood defiantly with his sign as Trump began speaking. The seven-term representative maintained his position despite apparent attempts by nearby attendees to remove the placard. Security personnel eventually intervened, leading Green out of the chamber during the nationally televised event.
The protest referenced a viral social media post from Trump's account that had drawn widespread criticism earlier this month. Political analysts suggest this confrontation highlights ongoing tensions surrounding racial justice discourse in U.S. politics as the 2026 midterm elections approach.
