US President Donald Trump has said he did not watch the full version of a social media video that contained a racist depiction of former President Barack Obama and former First Lady Michelle Obama, as criticism continues to mount from both political parties.
The controversy began after a minute long video was posted to Trump’s Truth Social account. Most of the clip focused on long debunked claims about fraud in the 2020 US presidential election. However, near the end, a brief segment showed the Obamas’ faces edited onto the bodies of apes, a portrayal widely condemned because of its association with racist imagery historically used against Black people.
The video remained online for several hours before it was removed following intense backlash. White House officials later said a staff member had posted the clip “erroneously,” while Trump maintained that he had only watched the beginning of the video before it was shared publicly.
Speaking to reporters while travelling on Air Force One, Trump said he did not believe he had made a mistake and declined to apologise. He said he approved the video because he agreed with its message about voter fraud claims but insisted he had not seen the controversial ending.
The White House initially defended the post, describing it as an internet meme linked to a “Lion King” parody that portrayed Trump as a lion and political opponents as animals. Critics rejected that explanation, arguing that the depiction echoed long standing racist tropes.
Reaction from lawmakers was swift and unusually bipartisan. Republican Senator Tim Scott described the clip as “the most racist thing” he had seen from the administration and urged its removal. Other Republicans, including Representative Mike Lawler and several senators, said the video was offensive and called for an apology.
Democratic leaders also condemned the post. Some described the imagery as “disgusting” and accused Trump of encouraging divisive rhetoric. Civil rights organisations such as the NAACP said the clip was unacceptable and harmful, warning that the use of dehumanising imagery carries serious historical weight.
The video itself appeared to originate from a conservative meme creator online and featured multiple political figures portrayed as animals. Alongside the Obamas, other Democrats were depicted in animated scenes tied to the parody theme.
Trump said the video was removed as soon as staff realised what it contained. He also claimed that if those responsible for posting it had reviewed the full clip, they likely would have prevented the backlash. Despite that acknowledgement, he continued to insist that he would not apologise, saying he had condemned the offensive portion once it came to his attention.
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The incident has revived debates about Trump’s long history of controversial statements about Barack Obama. Before entering politics, Trump repeatedly promoted false claims questioning Obama’s birthplace, allegations he later acknowledged were untrue.
Political analysts say the episode highlights the risks tied to social media use by high level political figures, particularly when posts are shared rapidly without full review. Some Republicans expressed concern that the situation could distract from policy debates and undermine efforts to broaden support among minority voters.
Meanwhile, the Obamas have not publicly responded to the video. The White House has also declined to provide detailed information about who has access to Trump’s social media account or how posts are approved before publication.
The controversy comes at a time when online political messaging is increasingly under scrutiny, especially content that blends satire, artificial intelligence, and political commentary. Experts say the blurred line between humour and harmful imagery can amplify tensions in an already polarised political climate.
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Although the video has been deleted, criticism has continued across social media and political circles. Some lawmakers argue that the incident underscores the need for stronger oversight of official accounts, while others frame it as part of a broader debate over free expression and political messaging online.
For now, Trump appears to be standing by his decision not to apologise, even as pressure continues from critics and some members of his own party. Whether the controversy will have lasting political consequences remains unclear, but it has once again placed the president’s social media activity at the centre of national attention.