President Donald Trump has refused to apologize for sharing a racist video depicting Barack and Michelle Obama as apes, claiming he did not see the offensive part before it was posted on Truth Social.
The video, posted late Thursday and deleted after nearly 12 hours, showed the Obamas as apes at the end of a clip about voter fraud. Trump said he only watched the beginning and passed it to a staffer, insisting he made no mistake and declining to apologize.
Republican backlash was swift, with Senator Tim Scott calling it racist and urging removal. Other GOP lawmakers like Mike Lawler condemned the post, revealing internal party strife over Trump’s actions.
The White House initially defended the video as an “internet meme” but later said a staffer posted it in error. Trump asserted it was taken down promptly, though the delay drew criticism.
The clip originated from an October X post by a meme creator, part of a series depicting Democrats as animals. This aligns with Trump’s history of sharing controversial content, including AI videos and altered images.
Democrats and groups like the NAACP denounced the video. Hakeem Jeffries labeled Trump a “bottom feeder,” while Kamala Harris dismissed the White House explanation as a cover-up.
The incident may affect Republican relations with Black voters and highlight ongoing issues of race in politics. Trump defended his record, but the controversy underscores challenges in his social media use and accountability.
