Facing a fierce bipartisan backlash, the White House on Friday removed a video from President Donald Trump’s Truth Social account that used a racist trope to depict former President Barack Obama and former First Lady Michelle Obama. After initially defending the clip, a senior official stated it was posted in error by a staffer.
The now-deleted minute-long video, which originated from the pro-Trump outlet Patriot News Outlet, promoted false claims about the 2020 election. Its concluding frames superimposed the laughing faces of the Obamas onto the bodies of apes in a jungle setting, bobbing to “The Lion Sleeps Tonight.” The post remained live for roughly 12 hours.
From Defense to Deletion
The White House response evolved dramatically throughout the day. Spokesperson Karoline Leavitt first dismissed media inquiries, calling the clip “an internet meme” and urging outlets to “stop the fake outrage.” By midday, however, the post was removed with a new explanation. “A White House staffer erroneously made the post. It has been taken down,” a senior Trump official told multiple outlets.
The reversal followed mounting pressure from both sides of the aisle. While few GOP leaders commented publicly, some reportedly made private calls to the President. Senators did speak out forcefully.
Bipartisan Condemnation Erupts
Criticism was swift and sharp. Senator Tim Scott of South Carolina, the chamber’s sole Black Republican, called it “the most racist thing I’ve seen out of this White House.” New York Republican Congressman Mike Lawler demanded its immediate deletion and an apology.
Democratic leaders were similarly scathing. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer labeled the post “racist, vile, [and] abhorrent,” directly calling on Trump to apologize to the Obamas. The unified condemnation highlighted the video’s breach of political norms, ultimately leading to its removal.
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