Listen to the article
President Trump Removes Racist Video Depicting Obamas as Apes After Backlash
President Donald Trump removed a controversial video from social media Friday that depicted former President Barack Obama and former first lady Michelle Obama as apes, following widespread condemnation from both Democrats and Republicans.
The approximately one-minute video, posted late Thursday night, primarily focused on false claims about the 2020 presidential election. However, it concluded with a segment showing the Obamas’ faces superimposed on cartoon apes while “The Lion Sleeps Tonight” by The Tokens played in the background—imagery that evokes long-standing racist tropes against Black people.
“A White House staffer erroneously made the post. It has been taken down,” a White House official told NBC News. The video was removed shortly before noon on Friday after facing swift backlash.
The White House initially defended the content. Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt stated, “This is from an internet meme video depicting President Trump as the King of the Jungle and Democrats as characters from ‘The Lion King.’ Please stop the fake outrage and report on something today that actually matters to the American public.”
Leavitt referred to a video originally posted on X in October that depicted various Democratic politicians as African animals, with former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton shown as a warthog and Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker as an elephant, while Trump was presented as a lion.
The timing of the post was particularly problematic as it occurred during Black History Month, which celebrates the accomplishments and contributions of Black Americans. Barack Obama made history as the nation’s first Black president.
The video prompted unusually direct criticism from Republican lawmakers. South Carolina Senator Tim Scott, the only Black Republican in the Senate, wrote on X: “Praying it was fake because it’s the most racist thing I’ve seen out of this White House. The President should remove it.”
Nebraska Senator Pete Ricketts added, “Even if this was a ‘Lion King’ meme, a reasonable person sees the racist context to this. The White House should do what anyone does when they make a mistake: remove this and apologize.”
Representative Mike Lawler, a New York Republican facing a competitive re-election race, similarly called for the post to be “deleted immediately with an apology offered.”
Democratic leadership was equally forceful in their condemnation. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer called the post “Racist. Vile. Abhorrent” and described it as “dangerous” and degrading to the country. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries referred to Trump as “a vile, unhinged and malignant bottom feeder” and questioned why Republican leaders continued to support him.
The Obamas did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
This incident comes amid a broader context of Trump’s social media activity and policy positions. The president has previously shared manipulated videos targeting political opponents, including one depicting Jeffries wearing a cartoon sombrero and mustache with mariachi music playing in the background.
In a recent interview with NBC’s Tom Llamas, Trump acknowledged that he doesn’t believe all the conspiracy theories he reposts, stating, “No, no. No. No. … I sometimes will… retruth” such claims.
During his second term, Trump has issued executive orders eliminating diversity, equity, and inclusion programs in the federal government that were expanded under Democratic administrations, including Obama’s. He has also intensified deportations and restrictive immigration policies.
The president has previously faced criticism for associations with white nationalists, including Nick Fuentes, and for embracing far-right influencers with histories of making racist remarks. Recently, he has faced backlash for comments about the Somali community in Minnesota.
The FBI recently searched and seized 2020 voter records from an elections hub in Fulton County, Georgia, which county officials are now suing to retrieve. When asked for comment, the FBI stated it could not provide details about an ongoing investigation.
Fact Checker
Verify the accuracy of this article using The Disinformation Commission analysis and real-time sources.
7 Comments
As a concerned citizen, I’m relieved that the video was ultimately removed, but I’m troubled that it was ever posted in the first place. We need our elected officials to be more responsible and accountable for the content they promote, especially when it involves blatant racism.
This racist video is completely unacceptable. Depicting the Obamas as apes is a despicable display of bigotry that has no place in our political discourse. I’m glad the White House removed it, but they should never have allowed it in the first place.
While I appreciate the White House’s decision to remove the video, the fact that it was ever posted in the first place is deeply concerning. We need our political leaders to be more responsible and thoughtful about the messages they send, especially when it comes to sensitive issues of race and equality.
This is a troubling incident that highlights the need for greater sensitivity and respect in our political discourse. Dehumanizing imagery like this has no place in a civil society. I hope this serves as a wake-up call for the White House to be more vigilant about the content they endorse.
Well said. Stoking racial tensions for political gain is a dangerous and unethical tactic that erodes public trust. Our leaders should be held to a higher standard of decency and integrity.
I’m appalled that the White House initially defended this video. Promoting racist stereotypes is never acceptable, no matter the political affiliation. This type of divisive and inflammatory content only serves to further divide our country.
I agree wholeheartedly. Our leaders should be bringing people together, not stoking racial tensions for political gain. This is a disturbing sign of the growing toxicity in our national politics.