Rep. Al Green displayed a sign reading “black people aren’t apes” as President Donald Trump entered the House chamber for his State of the Union address to a joint session of Congress.
Green faced removal from last year’s address after shouting in protest against Medicaid reductions. This demonstration targets a video Trump shared on Truth Social earlier this month, portraying Barack and Michelle Obama as apes. Trump stated he did not view the full video before directing an aide to post it.
Women’s Rights Show of Solidarity
Several Democratic congresswomen attended in white attire, echoing suffragist traditions to champion women’s rights. Rep. Teresa Leger Fernández of New Mexico, who chairs the Democratic Women’s Caucus, explained: “This year, there are specific attacks on women’s ability to vote. The Democratic Women’s Caucus is wearing white both to honor that fight that women have always had and to signal we are still in the fight.”
Boycotts to Avoid Disruptions
Some lawmakers opted out of the event following encouragement from Democratic leaders to prevent attention-grabbing interruptions.
Declining Approval Ratings
Trump approaches the address amid historically low poll numbers for a second-year State of the Union. A Washington Post/ABC News survey reveals 60% of Americans disapprove of his performance, including strong disapproval from many, while only 39% approve—the lowest rating for any president at this stage in modern history. Disapproval last hit 60% soon after the January 6 insurrection during his first term.
An AP-NORC poll shows just 29% of Americans view the country as heading in the right direction, with 69% saying otherwise. This pessimism exceeds levels from last March, when about 60% saw a negative trajectory upon Trump’s inauguration. Republican optimism has softened too, with roughly 60% now positive compared to 70% last spring, influenced partly by the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk last fall.
