Trump Staffer: No Discipline for Racist Obama Video Post

President Donald Trump continues to defend a racist video shared on his social media platform last week, and has stated he has not disciplined the staffer he blames for its posting. The video, which depicts former President Barack Obama and former First Lady Michelle Obama as apes, sparked widespread bipartisan backlash, yet Trump remains defiant, downplaying the incident and refusing to apologize.

The controversy erupted last Thursday when the video appeared on Trump’s social media account at 11:44 p.m. While the majority of the minute-long clip focused on debunked claims regarding the 2020 election, it concluded with the racially charged imagery of the Obamas’ faces superimposed onto apes, accompanied by the song “The Lion Sleeps Tonight.” The post was quickly deleted following the outcry, but not before it circulated widely online.

When questioned about the incident on Thursday, Trump attributed the post to a staffer, but declined to identify the individual or announce any disciplinary action. Have you fired or disciplined that staffer who posted the video from your account that included the Obamas? a reporter asked. Trump’s response was blunt: No I haven’t. He then attempted to contextualize the video, claiming it was a video on, as you know, voter fraud and — fairly long video — and they had a little piece and had to do with The Lion King. This explanation has been widely criticized, as the animated film features no apes.

The Guardian reported that Trump further downplayed the incident, stating that the video is not a problem because it had been shown all over the place, long before that as posted. This comment appears to reference the original animated clip from which the racist depiction was taken, rather than acknowledging the offensive nature of the altered video itself.

The White House initially defended the post before shifting blame to the unnamed staffer. This strategy has drawn criticism from both Democrats and Republicans, with many calling for a direct apology from the President. However, Trump has so far resisted these calls.

The incident underscores a pattern of racially insensitive rhetoric and imagery associated with Trump’s public persona. The use of apes to depict Black individuals has a long and deeply problematic history rooted in racist tropes used to dehumanize and denigrate people of color. The resurfacing of this imagery in a post originating from the President’s account has reignited a national conversation about race, representation, and the power of political messaging.

The lack of accountability demonstrated by Trump’s refusal to discipline the staffer involved raises questions about the culture within his administration and the tolerance for racist content. While Trump attempts to deflect responsibility, the incident serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing challenges in addressing racial bias and promoting inclusivity in American politics.

News outlets including ABC News, The Guardian, People.com, and reports shared via Google News and Instagram have all covered the story, highlighting the widespread attention and condemnation the video has received. The consistent reporting emphasizes Trump’s continued defense of the post and his refusal to take responsibility for its content.

As of February 13, 2026, the staffer’s identity remains undisclosed, and no disciplinary action has been taken. The situation continues to unfold, with ongoing scrutiny from the media and calls for a more decisive response from the President. The incident is likely to remain a point of contention, further fueling the debate surrounding Trump’s rhetoric and its impact on the national discourse.