'I stood alone': Dem escorted from SOTU speaks out after dramatic challenge to Trump
Nicole Charky-ChamiMatt Laslo
February 24, 2026
"I don’t want to see it normalized," he explained. "And that’s why I flashed this [sign] to the president so there would be no questions where I stand. He needs to know that there’s some people who have the courage to tell him things that he doesn’t want to hear and that nobody else will tell him. And on some issues, it’s better to stand alone than not stand at all. So I stood alone…”
Nicole Charky-ChamiMatt Laslo
February 24, 2026
RAW STORY
Representative Al Green, Democrat of Texas, protests before U.S. President Donald J. Trump delivers the first State of the Union address of his second term to a joint session of Congress in the House Chamber of the United States Capitol in Washington, D.C., on Tuesday, February 24, 2026. Kenny Holston/Pool via REUTERS
WASHINGTON — Rep. Al Green (D-TX) broke his silence after he was forced out of the State of the Union address Tuesday night over confronting President Donald Trump.
Just as the president entered the House Chamber, Majority Leader of the House Rep. Steve Scalise (R-LA) ripped a sign of Green's that said "Black people aren't apes" moments before Trump delivered his speech.
"As you know, the president has depicted the former president, the Obamas, as apes. And if we tolerate this level of racism and perpetuate it, I refuse to tolerate it," Green told Raw Story.
Representative Al Green, Democrat of Texas, protests before U.S. President Donald J. Trump delivers the first State of the Union address of his second term to a joint session of Congress in the House Chamber of the United States Capitol in Washington, D.C., on Tuesday, February 24, 2026. Kenny Holston/Pool via REUTERS
WASHINGTON — Rep. Al Green (D-TX) broke his silence after he was forced out of the State of the Union address Tuesday night over confronting President Donald Trump.
Just as the president entered the House Chamber, Majority Leader of the House Rep. Steve Scalise (R-LA) ripped a sign of Green's that said "Black people aren't apes" moments before Trump delivered his speech.
"As you know, the president has depicted the former president, the Obamas, as apes. And if we tolerate this level of racism and perpetuate it, I refuse to tolerate it," Green told Raw Story.
"I don’t want to see it normalized," he explained. "And that’s why I flashed this [sign] to the president so there would be no questions where I stand. He needs to know that there’s some people who have the courage to tell him things that he doesn’t want to hear and that nobody else will tell him. And on some issues, it’s better to stand alone than not stand at all. So I stood alone…”
Trump's big address ripped as 'most openly racist in history': 'Went full ethnic-cleanser'
Alexander Willis
February 25, 2026
Alexander Willis
February 25, 2026
RAW STORY
U.S. President Donald J. Trump exits the House Chamber after delivering the first State of the Union address of his second term to a joint session of Congress in the House Chamber of the United States Capitol in Washington, D.C., on Tuesday, February 24, 2026. Kenny Holston/Pool via REUTERS
President Donald Trump delivered the longest State of the Union address in history Tuesday night, and buried within the nearly two-hour speech was a series of attacks on undocumented migrants and Somali Americans, attacks that qualified the address as the “most openly racist State of the Union in modern history," Zeteo argued in an analysis published Wednesday.
“President Trump spent protracted portions of the nationally televised address spewing his hatred of Somali Americans with all the dignity and panache of banned 4chan content,” the analysis reads, authored by Zeteo reporters Asawin Suebsaeng and Andrew Perez. “After nearly an hour of wind-up, Trump went full ethnic-cleanser.”
Trump has attacked Somali Americans since last year, calling them “garbage” and declaring that he didn’t “want them in our country.” His attacks were first sparked by the alleged mass fraud scandal in Minnesota uncovered by the controversial investigation into Somali daycares by MAGA influencer Nick Shirley.
Those attacks only ramped up Tuesday night after Trump, again, went after the Somali community.
“The Somali pirates who ransack Minnesota remind us that there are large parts of the world where bribery, corruption, and lawlessness are the norm, not the exception,” Trump said during his address. “Importing these cultures through unrestricted immigration and open borders brings those problems right here to the USA.”
Outside of Trump’s racially charged attacks, Suebsaeng and Perez also declared the address to be “certainly one of the worst” in history, noting what they characterized as the lukewarm response from lawmakers in attendance.
“It was also the longest State of the Union address ever – and certainly one of the worst – and Republicans’ constant agreement and laughing along with Trump came across like the sound of one hand clapping,” the analysis reads.
U.S. President Donald J. Trump exits the House Chamber after delivering the first State of the Union address of his second term to a joint session of Congress in the House Chamber of the United States Capitol in Washington, D.C., on Tuesday, February 24, 2026. Kenny Holston/Pool via REUTERS
President Donald Trump delivered the longest State of the Union address in history Tuesday night, and buried within the nearly two-hour speech was a series of attacks on undocumented migrants and Somali Americans, attacks that qualified the address as the “most openly racist State of the Union in modern history," Zeteo argued in an analysis published Wednesday.
“President Trump spent protracted portions of the nationally televised address spewing his hatred of Somali Americans with all the dignity and panache of banned 4chan content,” the analysis reads, authored by Zeteo reporters Asawin Suebsaeng and Andrew Perez. “After nearly an hour of wind-up, Trump went full ethnic-cleanser.”
Trump has attacked Somali Americans since last year, calling them “garbage” and declaring that he didn’t “want them in our country.” His attacks were first sparked by the alleged mass fraud scandal in Minnesota uncovered by the controversial investigation into Somali daycares by MAGA influencer Nick Shirley.
Those attacks only ramped up Tuesday night after Trump, again, went after the Somali community.
“The Somali pirates who ransack Minnesota remind us that there are large parts of the world where bribery, corruption, and lawlessness are the norm, not the exception,” Trump said during his address. “Importing these cultures through unrestricted immigration and open borders brings those problems right here to the USA.”
Outside of Trump’s racially charged attacks, Suebsaeng and Perez also declared the address to be “certainly one of the worst” in history, noting what they characterized as the lukewarm response from lawmakers in attendance.
“It was also the longest State of the Union address ever – and certainly one of the worst – and Republicans’ constant agreement and laughing along with Trump came across like the sound of one hand clapping,” the analysis reads.
Trump mercilessly mocked after 'bragging' about kicking people off of food stamps
Robert Davis
February 24, 2026
Robert Davis
February 24, 2026
RAW STORY
U.S. President Donald Trump delivers the State of the Union address in the House Chamber of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., U.S., February 24, 2026. REUTERS/KEVIN LAMARQUE
President Donald Trump was swiftly mocked on Tuesday after he bragged about kicking people off food assistance.
Trump said during his State of the Union address that his administration helped "lift" 2.4 million people out of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, which provides food assistance to more than 41 million people nationwide. His comments came at a time when his administration cut funding for the popular program by more than $186 billion through his "One Big Beautiful Bill Act."
Political analysts and observers mocked Trump's comments on social media.
"Trump let millions of people in need go hungry and is now bragging about it," Sen. Andy Kim (D-NJ) posted on X.
"Interesting way to say he kicked people off of SNAP," Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker, a Democrat, posted on X.
"Trump didn’t 'lift' anyone off food stamps—he kicked them off. He’s forcing millions to go hungry," Sen. Patty Murray (D-WA) posted on X. "By the way, you can work full time and STILL qualify for SNAP. My family needed SNAP growing up—it’s not charity, it’s an investment. Fund SNAP. Reverse the cuts."
"Trump cut millions of people's food assistance and is bragging about it. We need to repeal the Big, Ugly Law," Rep. Gabe Amo (D-RI) posted on X.
U.S. President Donald Trump delivers the State of the Union address in the House Chamber of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., U.S., February 24, 2026. REUTERS/KEVIN LAMARQUE
President Donald Trump was swiftly mocked on Tuesday after he bragged about kicking people off food assistance.
Trump said during his State of the Union address that his administration helped "lift" 2.4 million people out of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, which provides food assistance to more than 41 million people nationwide. His comments came at a time when his administration cut funding for the popular program by more than $186 billion through his "One Big Beautiful Bill Act."
Political analysts and observers mocked Trump's comments on social media.
"Trump let millions of people in need go hungry and is now bragging about it," Sen. Andy Kim (D-NJ) posted on X.
"Interesting way to say he kicked people off of SNAP," Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker, a Democrat, posted on X.
"Trump didn’t 'lift' anyone off food stamps—he kicked them off. He’s forcing millions to go hungry," Sen. Patty Murray (D-WA) posted on X. "By the way, you can work full time and STILL qualify for SNAP. My family needed SNAP growing up—it’s not charity, it’s an investment. Fund SNAP. Reverse the cuts."
"Trump cut millions of people's food assistance and is bragging about it. We need to repeal the Big, Ugly Law," Rep. Gabe Amo (D-RI) posted on X.
Robert Davis
February 24, 2026
RAW STORY
Aliya Rahman is removed from the chamber during U.S. President Donald Trump's State of the Union address to a joint session of Congress in the House Chamber of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., U.S., February 24, 2026. REUTERS/Nathan Howard
A woman who was brutally injured by President Donald Trump's Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents in Minneapolis, Minnesota, last month was thrown out of the State of the Union address on Tuesday.
Aliya Rahman, who was invited to attend the speech, was removed from the gallery after Trump began discussing alleged fraud in Minnesota. Trump claimed that the Somali-American community in Minnesota has taken about $19 billion from taxpayers through fraud schemes, although he has provided no evidence supporting that total.
Rahman was forcibly removed from her car during a traffic stop conducted by Trump's ICE agents in January. She told a House panel earlier this month that ICE agents threatened to kill her. She added that they forcibly dragged her from her car, causing her serious injuries.
Aliya Rahman is removed from the chamber during U.S. President Donald Trump's State of the Union address to a joint session of Congress in the House Chamber of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., U.S., February 24, 2026. REUTERS/Nathan Howard
A woman who was brutally injured by President Donald Trump's Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents in Minneapolis, Minnesota, last month was thrown out of the State of the Union address on Tuesday.
Aliya Rahman, who was invited to attend the speech, was removed from the gallery after Trump began discussing alleged fraud in Minnesota. Trump claimed that the Somali-American community in Minnesota has taken about $19 billion from taxpayers through fraud schemes, although he has provided no evidence supporting that total.
Rahman was forcibly removed from her car during a traffic stop conducted by Trump's ICE agents in January. She told a House panel earlier this month that ICE agents threatened to kill her. She added that they forcibly dragged her from her car, causing her serious injuries.
Fed-up congresswoman walks out of State of the Union as Trump rambles
Matthew Chapman
February 24, 2026
RAW STORY
Chief Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court John Roberts, U.S. Supreme Court Justice Elena Kagan, U.S. Supreme Court Justice Brett M. Kavanaugh, U.S. Supreme Court Justice Amy Coney Barrett and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Dan Caine attend U.S. President Donald Trump's State of the Union address to a joint session of Congress at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., U.S., February 24, 2026. REUTERS/Evelyn Hockstein
A second Democrat has departed President Donald Trump's State of the Union Address, as he continued to outline various policies he wants to see Congress pass.
"Representative Lauren Underwood, Democrat of Illinois, has walked out," reported Annie Karni of The New York Times.
Underwood's departure comes after Rep. Al Green's (D-TX) dramatic exit, following multiple Republican efforts to seize his sign saying "BLACK PEOPLE AREN'T APES," which was a protest against a racist post Trump promoted on his Truth Social platform earlier this month.
The president reportedly has a record-length speech planned, with some members expecting it could last all the way to midnight.
Matthew Chapman
February 24, 2026
RAW STORY
Chief Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court John Roberts, U.S. Supreme Court Justice Elena Kagan, U.S. Supreme Court Justice Brett M. Kavanaugh, U.S. Supreme Court Justice Amy Coney Barrett and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Dan Caine attend U.S. President Donald Trump's State of the Union address to a joint session of Congress at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., U.S., February 24, 2026. REUTERS/Evelyn Hockstein
A second Democrat has departed President Donald Trump's State of the Union Address, as he continued to outline various policies he wants to see Congress pass.
"Representative Lauren Underwood, Democrat of Illinois, has walked out," reported Annie Karni of The New York Times.
Underwood's departure comes after Rep. Al Green's (D-TX) dramatic exit, following multiple Republican efforts to seize his sign saying "BLACK PEOPLE AREN'T APES," which was a protest against a racist post Trump promoted on his Truth Social platform earlier this month.
The president reportedly has a record-length speech planned, with some members expecting it could last all the way to midnight.
'Cringe': Trump's SOTU speech derided as 'national embarrassment' by internet
Nicole Charky-Chami
February 24, 2026 11:34PM ET
RAW STORY
President Donald J. Trump delivers the first State of the Union address of his second term to a joint session of Congress in the House Chamber of the United States Capitol in Washington, D.C., on Feb. 24, 2026. Kenny Holston/Pool via REUTERS
A wave of critiques rolled in Tuesday night after President Donald Trump's State of the Union address, with plenty of people saying that the president's speech sounded eerily like one of his MAGA campaign rallies.
The president gave a rambling, record-breaking speech in the House Chamber amid growing concerns over his handling of priorities among voters, the economy and looming potential military action with Iran.
People shared their reactions on social media:
"This is a MAGA variety show masquerading as a #SOTU using campaign rally rhetoric. It is a national embarrassment and the world sees it as such," BBC political analyst Mary Anne Marsh wrote on X.
"MAGA has become cringe. I'm not sure when it happened. But, as a movement, it has become cringe. It has become everything it poked fun at with progressives with they way they react to events and talk about society. They've even created their own vocabulary. It's fascinating," fintech growth specialist Spencer Horton wrote on X.
"This isn’t a state of the union. It’s a MAGA rally, complete with tirades, partisan aggression, and wandering stories. And of course, it’s really long," Robert E. Kelly, professor of political science at Pusan National University in South Korea, wrote on X.
"To everyone watching the SOTU — welcome to a Trump rally!! Once upon a time, overtly political speeches on the House floor were frowned upon. They were meant to call for unity and speak to the American people. That changed with Trump…. and yet, MAGA blames the press for a divided country," Sofia B. Kinzinger, wife of former Rep. Adam Kinzinger and longtime GOP comms strategist, wrote on X.
"We’ve learned nothing about the state of our union in this nearly 2-hour rally. No sense of where we’re headed or what’s going on with Iran. It’s all just a show for Trump. Once again, his ego reigns supreme and takes something away from the many remarkable stories and people recognized tonight. And that’s really quite sad. #SOTU," communications consultant and strategist Maura Gillespie wrote on X.
Nicole Charky-Chami
February 24, 2026 11:34PM ET
RAW STORY
President Donald J. Trump delivers the first State of the Union address of his second term to a joint session of Congress in the House Chamber of the United States Capitol in Washington, D.C., on Feb. 24, 2026. Kenny Holston/Pool via REUTERS
A wave of critiques rolled in Tuesday night after President Donald Trump's State of the Union address, with plenty of people saying that the president's speech sounded eerily like one of his MAGA campaign rallies.
The president gave a rambling, record-breaking speech in the House Chamber amid growing concerns over his handling of priorities among voters, the economy and looming potential military action with Iran.
People shared their reactions on social media:
"This is a MAGA variety show masquerading as a #SOTU using campaign rally rhetoric. It is a national embarrassment and the world sees it as such," BBC political analyst Mary Anne Marsh wrote on X.
"MAGA has become cringe. I'm not sure when it happened. But, as a movement, it has become cringe. It has become everything it poked fun at with progressives with they way they react to events and talk about society. They've even created their own vocabulary. It's fascinating," fintech growth specialist Spencer Horton wrote on X.
"This isn’t a state of the union. It’s a MAGA rally, complete with tirades, partisan aggression, and wandering stories. And of course, it’s really long," Robert E. Kelly, professor of political science at Pusan National University in South Korea, wrote on X.
"To everyone watching the SOTU — welcome to a Trump rally!! Once upon a time, overtly political speeches on the House floor were frowned upon. They were meant to call for unity and speak to the American people. That changed with Trump…. and yet, MAGA blames the press for a divided country," Sofia B. Kinzinger, wife of former Rep. Adam Kinzinger and longtime GOP comms strategist, wrote on X.
"We’ve learned nothing about the state of our union in this nearly 2-hour rally. No sense of where we’re headed or what’s going on with Iran. It’s all just a show for Trump. Once again, his ego reigns supreme and takes something away from the many remarkable stories and people recognized tonight. And that’s really quite sad. #SOTU," communications consultant and strategist Maura Gillespie wrote on X.
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