Texas Congressman Al Green was shown the door during President Donald Trump’s “State of the Union” Monday night after holding up a sign written in large block letters that “Black People Aren’t Apes.”

Green was responding to Trump’s racist social media post that depicted former President Barack Obama and Former First Lady Michelle Obama as apes on Trump’s “Truth Social Platform.”

Representative Troy Nehls, a Texas Republican, attempted to snatch the sign from Green, a Democrat, as he held it up so all could see, but Green pushed Nehls away. Nehls was best known for having President Trump autograph a tie he wore to the “State of the Union.”

Green was pushed and somewhat dragged through the crowd. White lawmakers cheered.

Afterward, Green commented to Raw Story on his willingness to challenge Trump’s racism openly and directly: “If you tolerate this level of racism, you perpetuate it. I refuse to tolerate it. I don’t wanna see it normalized.”

“And that’s why I flashed this to the president, so there would be no question as to where I stand. He needs to know that there are some people who have the courage to tell him things that he doesn’t want to hear, and that nobody else will tell him.”

Green’s comments mirror those he made in 2025, when he was also removed from Trump’s joint address to Congress for speaking out. “It’s worth it to let people know that there are some people who are going to stand up to Trump,” Green said.