U.S. President Donald Trump has removed a controversial social media post that included a racially offensive video showing former President Barack Obama and former First Lady Michelle Obama depicted as apes, following intense criticism from both Republican and Democratic lawmakers. The video, which was posted Thursday night on Trump’s Truth Social account, remained live for approximately twelve hours before being deleted on Friday. While the clip also included unfounded claims about the 2020 election being rigged, it sparked outrage because, near the end, the Obamas’ faces were superimposed onto primates’ bodies against music from The Lion Sleeps Tonight, drawing condemnation for using a historical racist trope.
The backlash was notable for crossing party lines. Republican leaders, including Senator Tim Scott, publicly criticized the imagery. Scott, the only Black Republican in the Senate, stated he hoped the clip was fake, calling it “the most racist thing I’ve seen out of this White House,” and urged Trump to remove the post. Other Republican figures, such as Senators Roger Wicker and Pete Ricketts, and Representative Mike Lawler, also condemned the video, describing it as offensive and inappropriate.
Democrats responded strongly as well, denouncing the post as an unacceptable attack and highlighting the harm caused by perpetuating racist stereotypes. White House officials initially defended Trump’s sharing of the video as part of broader commentary on election fraud claims but later allowed its removal after mounting criticism from both sides of the aisle. Media analysts noted that the episode reflects continuing tensions within the Republican Party over Trump’s influence and the balance between appealing to his base and maintaining broader party credibility.
This incident adds to a growing list of controversies surrounding Trump’s social media activity, which has frequently drawn public scrutiny and bipartisan condemnation. The video has prompted discussions about accountability, the role of social media platforms in moderating content, and the consequences of spreading racist or inflammatory material from high-profile public figures.
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