US President Donald Trump has faced significant backlash for a video posted on his social media account that depicts former President Barack Obama and former First Lady Michelle Obama in a derogatory manner. The video, which appeared on Trump’s Truth Social platform, includes animated clips of primates overlaid with the Obamas’ heads and has been criticized for its racist implications. Despite condemning the content, Trump did not issue an apology.
The video was posted late on March 14, 2024, and quickly drew bipartisan condemnation for its dehumanizing portrayal of individuals of African descent. Initially, the White House defended the post as an innocent “internet meme,” but it was deleted approximately 12 hours later after a wave of criticism.
Trump addressed reporters on March 15, stating he had not viewed the entire video before it was shared. “I didn’t see the whole thing,” he said, adding that he focused on the beginning, which discussed allegations of voter fraud related to the 2020 election. He insisted that he did not make a mistake and expressed his belief that the majority of viewers would not have been offended.
Questioned about his stance on the video, Trump affirmed, “Of course I do” when asked if he condemned the clip, yet he refrained from offering an apology. This response followed a day of conflicting messages from White House officials, with some defending the video and others acknowledging the error and the need for its removal.
Criticism came not only from Democrats but also from some Republicans, including Senator Tim Scott of South Carolina, who labeled the video as “the most racist thing I’ve seen out of this White House.” Scott, who is Black and a close ally of Trump, urged the president to retract the post. Other Republican lawmakers echoed calls for an apology, while Mark Burns, a Black pastor and Trump supporter, suggested that the staff member responsible should be dismissed.
The historical context of such imagery is troubling, as white supremacist movements have long used similar depictions to dehumanize Black individuals. Ben Rhodes, a former aide to Obama, commented on social media that future generations would remember the Obamas positively while viewing Trump as a negative figure in history.
A spokesperson for the Obamas declined to comment on the incident. According to sources familiar with the White House’s social media practices, only a few senior aides have direct access to Trump’s account. No names have been disclosed regarding the staff member who posted the controversial video.
Before its removal, White House spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt characterized the backlash as “fake outrage,” framing the video as a humorous portrayal of Trump as the “King of the Jungle.” However, as criticism intensified, a White House official confirmed that the video was taken down due to a posting error.
The incident raises questions about the protocols surrounding Trump’s social media engagement, particularly as his posts can influence public opinion and financial markets. Trump’s history of controversial statements includes derogatory remarks about various groups, with civil rights advocates noting that his rhetoric has become increasingly bold and politically accepted.
Derrick Johnson, the national president of the NAACP, condemned the video as “blatantly racist, disgusting, and utterly despicable,” emphasizing that voters will remember such actions at the ballot box. As discussions continue regarding the implications of the video, the incident serves as a reminder of the ongoing challenges surrounding race and representation in political discourse.
