Black people aren't apes: Democrat targets Trump over racist Obama caricature

Democratic Party lawmaker Al Green was once again removed from the House chamber for the second time during Donald Trump’s presidential address to Congress after he confronted the US President, holding a sign reading, "Black people aren’t apes," in an apparent dig at Trump’s now-deleted video depicting the Obamas as apes.

As Green was flashing the sign just as Trump walked past him, Republican Party lawmaker Steve Scalise grabbed it. A few moments later, he was escorted out of the chamber.

After flashing the message, the Democratic lawmaker stood in silence as Trump went past him. Green was taking a dig at President Trump's video depicting a racist caricature of Barack and Michelle Obama.

In his last address to a joint session of Congress, the event was disrupted by vocal protests from Democratic lawmakers and the removal of Texas Representative Al Green from the chamber.

The session, held in Washington, DC, highlighted persistent political tensions as members displayed opposition through chants, signs, and walkouts.

As President Trump began his speech, Representative Green raised his cane and shouted, "You have no mandate." This statement was immediately met by Republican lawmakers responding with chants of "USA, USA."

The disruption prompted Speaker Mike Johnson to warn Green and other members about maintaining decorum in the session.

Speaker Johnson addressed the chamber, stating, "Members are engaging in willful and continuing breach of decorum, and the chair is prepared to direct the Sergeant at Arms to restore order to the joint session. Mr Green take your seat, Take your seat, sir."

Despite the warning, Green repeated, "He (Trump) has no mandate," continuing his protest.

Following continued interruptions, Speaker Johnson declared, "Finding that members continue to engage in wilful and concerted disruption of proper decorum, the chair now directs the Sergeant at Arms to restore order and remove this gentleman from the chamber," prompting "get out" and "goodbye" chants from Republican members as Green was escorted out.

While being removed, Green shouted, "You have no mandate to cut Medicaid." After leaving the chamber, he told reporters he was "working on articles of impeachment," and added, "I have other things I'm protesting. And I'm also working on my articles of impeachment. This President is unfit," underscoring his opposition to the president's agenda.

Throughout the address, Democratic lawmakers held up small signs with messages such as "False," "Musk steals," "save Medicaid," and "protect veterans." The signs were raised each time President Trump highlighted what he described as his "bold actions" during his time in office.

Some Democratic members also wore shirts displaying the word "Resist" and eventually exited the chamber as a form of protest, further illustrating the deep divisions present during the session.

President Trump, addressing the Democratic side directly during his speech, said, "This is my fifth such speech to Congress, and once again, I look at the Democrats in front of me and I realise there is absolutely nothing I can say to make them happy or to make them stand or smile or applaud."

He continued, "Nothing I can do. I could find a cure to the most devastating disease, a disease that would wipe out entire nations or announce the answers to the greatest economy in history, or the stoppage of crime to the lowest levels ever recorded. And these people sitting right here will not clap, will not stand, and certainly will not cheer for these astronomical achievements."

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