Trump confronted with sign saying 'Black people aren't apes' at State of the Union

President Donald Trump was confronted with a sign held by a Democratic congressman that read, "Black People Aren't Apes," as he entered the chamber and began to deliver his State of the Union address.

U.S. Rep. Al Green (D-TX) held up the sign before House Majority Leader Steve Scalise tried to remove it from him. Minutes later, as the president was speaking, Green was reportedly removed from the chamber.

Rep. Al Green brought a sign: “Black people aren’t apes.” #StateOfTheUnion pic.twitter.com/wcDq5cIwl0
— The Tennessee Holler (@TheTNHoller) February 25, 2026

The sign apparently referred to video President Trump posted to his Truth Social account that included a meme of former President Barack Obama and former First Lady Michelle Obama depicted as apes. The video received widespread bipartisan condemnation before Trump removed it. He refused to apologize for it.

Here is Rep. Al Green holding up a sign that according to CNN's Manu Raju said "Black people are not apes” before Steve Scalise pulled it down pic.twitter.com/chrxydRYIw
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) February 25, 2026