US President Donald Trump has removed a controversial video from social media that depicted former President Barack Obama and former First Lady Michelle Obama as apes. The video, which Trump posted late on February 2, 2024, drew immediate backlash for its racist imagery, sparking condemnation from various political figures and organizations.
The video, lasting approximately one minute, centered on unfounded claims of election fraud related to the 2020 presidential election. Towards the end, it featured a clip showing the faces of the Obamas superimposed on cartoon ape bodies, accompanied by the song “The Lion Sleeps Tonight” by The Tokens. Despite the backlash, Trump stated he would not apologize for sharing the video, claiming he had not viewed it in its entirety.
When asked about the video on February 3, Trump was quoted saying, “Of course I condemn the racist parts of the video,” while asserting that he did not make a mistake. He explained that he only watched the beginning and deemed it acceptable. “I looked at the beginning of it; it was fine,” he said aboard Air Force One.
The White House initially defended the video, but as criticism intensified, including from fellow Republicans who labeled it “unacceptable” and “racist,” the video was taken down shortly before noon on February 3. A White House official stated, “A White House staffer erroneously made the post. It has been taken down.” When pressed about the identity of the staffer responsible, Trump did not provide an answer.
This incident occurs during Black History Month, a time dedicated to recognizing the contributions of Black Americans. The portrayal of the Obamas in such a derogatory manner has led to severe criticism. Derrick Johnson, President of the NAACP, released a statement calling the video “blatantly racist, disgusting, and utterly despicable.”
In response to inquiries about the video, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt described it as part of an internet meme that portrays Trump as the “King of the Jungle” while depicting Democrats as characters from “The Lion King.” She urged the media to focus on more significant issues, stating, “Please stop the fake outrage and report on something today that actually matters to the American public.”
The video also featured other political figures, with Hillary Clinton represented as a warthog and Illinois Governor JB Pritzker as an elephant. Trump was depicted as a lion. Representatives for the Obamas did not immediately respond to requests for comment from NBC News.
Criticism of the video was widespread on social media, drawing disapproval from both sides of the political spectrum. Senator Tim Scott of South Carolina, the only Black Republican in the Senate, described it as “the most racist thing I’ve seen out of this White House.” He called for its removal, stating, “Praying it was fake.”
Following the backlash, Trump mentioned he had spoken to Scott but offered limited details about their conversation. He characterized Scott as “great” and claimed that the senator understood the situation. Despite the criticism, Trump did not apologize to Scott but attempted to explain the circumstances surrounding the video’s posting.
This incident has revived discussions about race and representation in political discourse, particularly given its timing during a month dedicated to honoring Black history and achievements. The implications of such portrayals in a political context continue to provoke strong reactions from both supporters and opponents of the President.
