WASHINGTON (AP) — A controversial social media post from President Donald Trump, depicting former President Barack Obama and Michelle Obama as jungle primates, was removed on Friday. The post, shared on Trump’s Truth Social account, faced backlash from both Republicans and Democrats for its offensive content.
The post, which appeared Thursday night, was attributed to a mistake by a staffer following criticism from civil rights advocates and veteran Republicans. Initially, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt dismissed the criticism as “fake outrage” before the post was removed. The White House later stated that the video was posted erroneously by a staff member.
Trump’s account was active overnight, continuing to promote his false claims about the 2020 election being stolen, despite court findings and statements from his former attorney general that no widespread fraud occurred.
Trump has a history of controversial statements about the Obamas, including questioning Barack Obama’s birthplace and making derogatory comments about predominantly Black countries.
The post coincided with the start of Black History Month, shortly after Trump issued a proclamation recognizing the contributions of Black Americans to the nation. A spokeswoman for Obama stated that he had no comment on the matter.
An Internet Meme
The video in question, lasting 62 seconds, mostly consisted of claims about tampering with voting machines in the 2020 election. The controversial segment showed the Obamas’ faces superimposed on jungle primates, originating from a conservative meme maker’s video that portrayed Trump as “King of the Jungle,” while depicting various Democratic leaders as animals.
Press Secretary Leavitt described the video as an internet meme inspired by Disney’s “The Lion King,” although the film is set in the savannah and does not feature great apes. By noon, the post was retracted, and a White House staffer was blamed for the error. This incident has raised questions about the management of Trump’s social media presence, where he has previously made significant announcements.
Pastor Mark Burns, a prominent Black Trump supporter, stated on X that he advised Trump to fire the responsible staffer. “He knows this is wrong, offensive, and unacceptable,” Burns wrote. Congressional Black Caucus Chairwoman Yvette Clarke expressed skepticism about the White House’s explanation, attributing the issue to a broader toxic environment.
Condemnation Across the Political Spectrum
Trump frequently shares memes and AI-generated videos via social media, often framed as humor by his allies. However, this instance drew widespread condemnation and calls for an apology, which had not been issued by the afternoon.
At a Black History Month event in Harlem, vendor Jacklyn Monk criticized the post, saying, “The guy needs help. I’m sorry he’s representing our country.” In Atlanta, Rev. Bernice King reiterated her father’s words, emphasizing the dignity and humanity of Black Americans.
Senator Tim Scott, the only Black Republican in the U.S. Senate, urged Trump to remove the post, calling it “the most racist thing I’ve seen out of this White House.” Senator Roger Wicker of Mississippi also condemned the post, demanding an apology from Trump. The incident led to rare intraparty criticism, reflecting broader political tensions.
NAACP President Derrick Johnson denounced the video, linking it to Trump’s broader political struggles. Johnson highlighted Trump’s attempts to distract from economic issues and ongoing controversies. “You know who isn’t in the Epstein files? Barack Obama,” Johnson remarked.
A Long History of Racism
Racist associations of Black people with animals have a long history in the U.S., used to justify slavery and dehumanize Black individuals. From Thomas Jefferson’s writings to President Eisenhower’s comments on school desegregation, such rhetoric has persisted. Obama, too, faced racist depictions during his presidency.
In his 2024 campaign, Trump used language reminiscent of Adolf Hitler to describe immigrants. He has also referred to certain countries as “shithole countries,” a statement he initially denied but later admitted to.
Trump was a leading proponent of the false claim that Obama was not born in the U.S. Obama eventually proved his citizenship, and Trump acknowledged it during his 2016 campaign but falsely claimed Hillary Clinton initiated the rumor.
