BY MIRABEL ODETA
President Donald Trump condemned—but stopped short of apologizing for—a video posted to his social media account that depicted former President Barack Obama and former First Lady Michelle Obama as apes, a portrayal widely denounced as racist and dehumanizing. The post triggered swift backlash from Democrats, Republicans, civil rights groups, and members of the public, forcing the White House into a rare public retreat.
The minute-long video was shared late Thursday on Trump’s Truth Social platform and promoted false claims that the 2020 presidential election was stolen through voter fraud. Near the end of the clip, a brief segment—appearing to be generated using artificial intelligence—showed dancing primates with the faces of Barack and Michelle Obama superimposed. The imagery echoed racist tropes that have long been used to demean people of African descent.
Initially, the White House defended the post. A spokesperson described it as a harmless internet meme and dismissed the backlash as exaggerated outrage. However, as criticism intensified across party lines, the video was deleted roughly 12 hours after it appeared. A senior White House official later said the post had been made in error by a staff member and removed once Trump became aware of its contents.
Speaking to reporters on Friday night, Trump said he had not watched the entire video before it was shared. He claimed he viewed only the opening portion, which focused on allegations of voter fraud, before allowing aides to handle the posting. “I didn’t see the whole thing,” Trump said, adding that staff members are generally expected to review content fully. When asked directly whether he condemned the clip, Trump replied, “Of course I do,” but he refused to apologize. “I didn’t make a mistake,” he said, noting that he reviews thousands of items.
The episode exposed conflicting narratives inside the administration. While one official insisted the post was a simple mistake, earlier comments from the White House suggested a willingness to defend the content outright. The reversal marked an unusual moment for an administration known for aggressively backing Trump’s words and actions.
Trump, now serving his second term, has repeatedly been accused of amplifying racist rhetoric. He was a prominent promoter of the false “birther” conspiracy theory questioning Obama’s citizenship during Obama’s presidency from 2009 to 2017. Critics say the latest incident reflects a continuation of that pattern, now intensified by the reach and speed of social media.
Reaction to the video was immediate and broad. Democratic lawmakers condemned it as openly racist, while several Republicans also voiced concern. Senator Tim Scott of South Carolina, a close Trump ally and one of the most prominent Black Republicans, called the video the most racist thing he had seen from the White House and urged that it be removed. Other Republican lawmakers privately contacted administration officials to express alarm and urged Trump to issue an apology.
Mark Burns, a Black pastor and longtime Trump supporter, said he spoke with the president about the incident and called for the staff member responsible for posting the video to be fired. The White House declined to identify who posted the clip, noting that only a small number of senior aides have direct access to Trump’s social media accounts.
Historians and civil rights advocates have long documented how depictions of Black people as monkeys or apes have been used for centuries to justify discrimination, violence, and exclusion. Critics said the video fit squarely within that tradition. Ben Rhodes, a former Obama adviser, said the imagery would only further cement how future generations view Trump in contrast to the Obamas.
A spokesperson for Barack and Michelle Obama declined to comment.
The controversy also raised questions about the internal controls governing Trump’s social media use. With nearly 12 million followers on Truth Social, Trump frequently uses the platform to announce policy positions, attack political opponents, and share content created by supporters. His posts have the power to influence markets, shape public debate, and inflame international tensions, making errors or inflammatory material especially consequential.
Trump has previously criticized President Joe Biden for allowing official documents to be circulated and signed without close personal oversight. Critics now say the incident undercuts Trump’s own arguments about discipline and accountability.
The video also resurfaced scrutiny of past remarks made by Trump, including comments describing Somalis as “garbage,” labeling certain developing nations as “shithole countries,” and posting racially charged imagery of Democratic lawmakers. Civil rights leaders argue that such rhetoric has become increasingly normalized in American politics.
“Donald Trump’s video is blatantly racist, disgusting, and utterly despicable,” said Derrick Johnson, president of the NAACP. “Voters are watching, and they will remember this.”
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