Rep. Al Green Calls Out Trump’s Racist Social Media Post At The State Of The Union

During the State of the Union address on Tuesday, Rep. Al Green (D-Texas) held a sign that called out a racist social media post President Donald Trump recently shared of former President Barack Obama and former first lady Michelle Obama.

“Black people aren’t apes!” Green’s sign read.

Green held the sign while Trump entered the House chamber and during the beginning of his speech.

House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-La.) tried to take the sign from Green after seeing it, and Reps. Pat Fallon (R-Texas) and John McGuire (R-Va.) also attempted to block it from cameras’ line of sight. Sen. Markwayne Mullin (R-Okla.) tried to snatch it out of his hand, but Green dodged.

“Tonight, I wanted him to have a person confront him and let him know that Black people aren’t apes, that Black people are not going to tolerate this kind of behavior,” Green told reporters. “I refuse to tolerate this level of hate that the president is, in fact, putting into policy. … I wanted him to know, and I wanted him to see it and hear it up close.”

“Judging from the expression on his face, he got the message,” Green said.

Green is known for his vocal protests of the president, including an enduring push for Trump’s impeachment during his first and second terms.