US President Donald Trump posted a video on social media that sparked outrage due to its racist depiction of former President Barack and First Lady Michelle Obama as apes. The video, which was actually about election fraud, included a two-second clip showing the Obamas laughing on ape bodies. Despite the White House’s initial refusal to apologize, at least one Republican senator expressed disapproval.
The video, created by an anonymous user with a history of producing low-quality content, features the Obamas being depicted as apes in a racist trope. The creator has been known for his crude and juvenile behavior, including making videos that target protesters and minorities. Trump did not issue an apology, but eventually had the video taken down after it was up for 12 hours.
The incident highlights President Trump’s history of making aggressive anti-Black comments and his administration’s response to racism. The White House’s decision to let the video remain on social media for so long before taking it down suggests a lack of urgency in addressing the issue.
Source: https://slate.com/news-and-politics/2026/02/donald-trump-racist-post-obamas-lion-king.html