United States President Donald Trump has removed a 62-second video from his Truth Social account after it was revealed to contain a racist clip depicting former President Barack Obama and Michelle Obama as apes. The removal followed a wave of condemnation from both sides of the political aisle, including a rare public rebuke from a key Republican ally.
The Content of the Video
The video, which focused primarily on claims regarding voter fraud in the 2020 presidential election, concluded with a segment set to the song “The Lion Sleeps Tonight.” This ending featured racist caricatures comparing the Obamas to monkeys—a historical trope used to dehumanize Black people.
Investigation into the source of the clip suggests it was taken from a post shared in late 2024 by a conservative meme creator known as “Xerias.” The original source material also depicted other high-profile Democrats as animals:
- Joe Biden: Depicted as an ape eating a banana.
- Hillary Clinton & Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez: Depicted as various animals.
Trump’s Defense: “I Didn’t Make a Mistake”
Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One on Friday, President Trump denied personal responsibility for the offensive content. He explained that while he approved the video’s message on voter fraud, he had only watched the beginning before a staff member posted it.
“I didn’t make a mistake,” Trump stated. “I look at a lot of thousands of things… I gave it to the people who generally, they look at the whole thing.” He added that while he liked the message regarding the 2020 election, his staff “probably should have had the sense” to catch the ending.
Political Fallout
The video’s presence on the President’s official account sparked immediate outrage. Republican Senator Tim Scott, a prominent Black leader within the party, was among the most vocal critics.
- Senator Tim Scott: Described the clip as “the most racist thing I’ve seen out of this White House” and personally called for its removal.
- Initial White House Response: Spokespeople initially dismissed the criticism as “fake outrage” over an “internet meme video.”
- The Retraction: As pressure mounted from several Republican senators, the White House shifted its stance, with an official claiming a staffer had “erroneously” made the post.
Current Status
The video has been scrubbed from the President’s social media platforms. While the Obamas have yet to issue a formal comment, the incident has reignited debates over the vetting process for the President’s digital communications and the use of inflammatory racial imagery in political discourse.
Source: Times of India
Related Posts:
Ryan Routh Sentenced to Life in Prison for Trump Assassination Attempt
Donald Trump Files $5 Billion Lawsuit Against JPMorgan Chase Over Account Closures
Trump Warns Iran of “Total Destruction” Following Reported Assassination Threats
