Washington – A video depicting former US President Barack Obama and his wife, Michelle, as primates has been removed from President Donald Trump’s Truth Social account following widespread condemnation. The White House initially defended the post as an “internet meme video” before stating a staff member had “erroneously” published it, according to reports on .
The clip, which circulated online for approximately twelve hours, featured animated images of the Obamas superimposed onto apes, set against a jungle backdrop. It appeared as part of a larger video promoting unsubstantiated claims of voter fraud in the presidential election, a narrative Trump continues to promote despite its disproven nature.
The removal followed a chorus of criticism, notably from within Trump’s own Republican party. Senator Tim Scott, a prominent Black Republican and ally of the President, described the video as “the most racist thing I’ve seen out of this White House,” urging Trump to take it down. Similar condemnation came from other Republican senators, including Pete Ricketts, who stated a reasonable person would recognize the “racist context” of the imagery.
Democratic leaders also voiced outrage. California Governor Gavin Newsom accused Trump of “disgusting behavior,” while House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries labeled the President an “abhorrent, disturbed, and malicious individual.” The NAACP, a leading civil rights organization, highlighted the timing of the post during Black History Month as particularly offensive, stating it served as a stark reminder of how Trump and his supporters perceive Black people. The organization indicated it would remember the incident during upcoming congressional elections.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt initially dismissed the criticism as “played-out outrage,” claiming the video originated from an internet meme portraying Trump as “the King of the Jungle” and Democrats as characters from “The Lion King.” She attributed the video’s creation to a user named @xerias_x. However, this explanation did little to quell the backlash, and the post was subsequently deleted.
The incident underscores Trump’s continued use of provocative and often controversial imagery on social media. He has increasingly employed artificial intelligence (AI) to generate images depicting himself in various scenarios, including as a king, Superman, and a pope, often aimed at disparaging political opponents. This latest episode adds to a pattern of behavior that has drawn criticism for its divisive rhetoric and potential to incite animosity.
Trump has a long history of publicly attacking the Obamas, repeatedly questioning Barack Obama’s citizenship and criticizing his policies. The former President, in turn, has frequently criticized Trump’s actions and rhetoric. Obama recently condemned the actions of federal agents in Minneapolis, calling them a “wake-up call for every American.”
The imagery used in the video – depicting Black individuals as apes – has a deeply rooted and troubling history. It originated with slave traders in North and South America and was later adopted by proponents of racial segregation in the United States. The visual trope has long been recognized as a racist caricature intended to dehumanize and denigrate people of African descent.
This incident occurs as the US prepares for another presidential election cycle, raising concerns about the potential for further polarization and the use of inflammatory rhetoric. The swift condemnation from both sides of the political aisle, however, suggests a growing awareness of the harmful impact of such imagery and a willingness to challenge it, even within Trump’s own party.
