Controversial video of President Donald Trump wiped out on Truth Social after outrage. The video referred to former President Barack Obama and former First Lady Michelle Obama as apes, a racist caricature that brought condemnation from both Democrats and Republicans. The removal followed intense pushback from GOP lawmakers who called on the post to be removed.
The video, on Thursday evening, featured the Obamas’ faces edited onto ape bodies while depicting Trump as “King of the Jungle.” It also featured misinformation about the 2020 election. The graphic imagery spread virally online and ignited fury among political factions and civil rights interests.
Many Republican leaders condemned the video as unacceptable. Senator Tim Scott of South Carolina, the only Black Republican in the Senate, said he hoped the clip had been fake, noting as it did that this was “the most racist thing” he had seen from the White House. Several GOP lawmakers joined the fray, calling on Trump to take down the post immediately.
The White House initially defended the video, branding it an “internet meme” and casting criticism as “fake outrage.” But after many hours of the backlash, the administration decided to roll back and deleted the post. The video was inappropriate and had been posted in error, press secretary Karoline Leavitt acknowledged.
Trump refused to apologize after removing the video. Speaking to reporters, he said he had not viewed the racist portion of the clip at all, and only appreciated its message about voter fraud. He blamed staff for posting it without checking its content, insisting the removal proceeded fast when offensive images were spotted.
The incident underscored continued friction over Trump’s social media use and his readiness to post inflammatory content. Though the video has been taken down, the online protest underscores divisions within the Republican Party and raises fresh concerns about racial sensitivity in American politics.
