US President Donald Trump removed a controversial video from social media that depicted former President Barack Obama and former First Lady Michelle Obama as apes. The video, which was posted late on Thursday night, sparked immediate outrage and accusations of racism. Despite the backlash, Trump has stated he does not intend to apologize for sharing the video.
The video, lasting approximately one minute, centered on unfounded claims regarding election fraud from the 2020 presidential election. It concluded with a jarring clip featuring the Obamas’ faces superimposed on cartoon apes, accompanied by the song “The Lion Sleeps Tonight” by The Tokens. Speaking to reporters on Air Force One, Trump remarked, “of course” he condemns the racist elements, yet he maintained his stance against offering an apology.
Immediate Reaction and Removal
After the video was met with swift condemnation from various quarters, including members of Trump’s own party, it was taken down shortly before noon on Friday. Republicans labeled the video “unacceptable” and “racist,” with calls for Trump to retract his statement and issue an apology. Derrick Johnson, President of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), characterized the video as “blatantly racist, disgusting, and utterly despicable.”
Initially, the White House defended the video, claiming it was based on an internet meme. A White House official later informed NBC News that a staff member had mistakenly posted the video. Trump downplayed the incident, stating, “I looked at the beginning of it, it was fine,” while also indicating that he had not viewed the entire content before sharing it.
When pressed about the identity of the staff member who made the post, Trump did not provide a direct response. Instead, he reiterated his focus on the video’s claims regarding voter fraud, suggesting that the cartoon imagery was an oversight.
Continued Fallout and Political Implications
The timing of the video’s release coincides with Black History Month, a period dedicated to recognizing the achievements and contributions of Black Americans. The use of racially charged imagery in this context has amplified the outrage.
In response to the backlash, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt referred to the video as a depiction of Trump as the “King of the Jungle” and dismissed the outrage as “fake.” She pointed to a similar video posted by an X user in October, which included portrayals of other Democrats as various animals, with Trump represented as a lion.
The fallout from the incident has affected Trump’s standing even within his party. Tim Scott, the only Black Republican senator, condemned the video, stating on X, “Praying it was fake because it’s the most racist thing I’ve seen out of this White House.” Trump confirmed that he spoke with Scott but did not apologize, instead describing their conversation as positive.
As the situation unfolds, representatives for the Obamas have yet to respond to requests for comment. The controversy surrounding the video raises significant questions about the impact of social media in political discourse and the responsibilities of public figures in addressing issues of race and representation.
