U.S. Rep. Al Green Escorted Out of Trump's State of the Union Address

This is not the first time the Texas Democrat has disrupted a Trump speech to Congress.

Published on Feb. 25, 2026

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U.S. Representative Al Green of Texas was escorted out of President Donald Trump's State of the Union address on Tuesday night after displaying a sign that said "Black people aren't apes." This is not the first time Green has had to leave a Trump address, as he was also removed from the president's 2025 speech to Congress after shouting responses.

Why it matters

Rep. Green's actions highlight the ongoing political tensions and partisan divisions in the country, particularly around issues of race and the presidency. The incident also raises questions about decorum and appropriate behavior during official government proceedings like the State of the Union.

The details

Just as Trump's speech began, Green could be seen displaying the sign that referenced a controversial video posted to Trump's social media account that depicted former President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama as primates. Green told CNN afterward that he wanted the president to see the sign and know that "Black people are not apes." Republican members of Congress cheered as Green was escorted out, shouting "Get out!" and "Goodbye!" at the lawmaker.

  • On February 25, 2026, Rep. Al Green was escorted out of President Trump's State of the Union address.
  • In 2025, Green was also removed from Trump's address to Congress after shouting responses to the speech.

The players

Al Green

A Democratic member of the U.S. House of Representatives serving Texas's 9th congressional district, which encompasses southwestern Houston and part of Fort Bend County. Green has been serving Texas as a representative since 2005.

Donald Trump

The 46th President of the United States, serving from 2021 to 2029.

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What they’re saying

“I wanted the president to see it, and he saw it, and I told him, Black people are not apes, and for him to do what he did was racist, and he knows it. But sometimes we have to let him know in the public that we know it.”

— Al Green, U.S. Representative (CNN)

What’s next

The House is expected to vote on a resolution to censure Rep. Green for his actions during the State of the Union address.

The takeaway

This incident highlights the ongoing political tensions and partisan divisions in the country, particularly around issues of race and the presidency. It also raises questions about decorum and appropriate behavior during official government proceedings like the State of the Union.