Trump Shares, Deletes Video Depicting Obamas as Apes; Leavitt Calls Out ‘Fake Outrage’

• Trump posted ‘racist Obama ape clip’ on Truth Social.
• Leavitt dismissed backlash as phony from Lion King meme.
• Video removed after bipartisan condemnation hit hard.

President Donald Trump shared a 62-second video on his Truth Social platform late Thursday that promoted 2020 election conspiracy theories. The clip reportedly ended with an animation showing former President Barack Obama and former first lady Michelle Obama as apes dancing to “The Lion Sleeps Tonight.” This imagery drew immediate accusations of racism, echoing historical tropes used to dehumanize Black individuals. White House officials initially stood by the post despite the growing criticism from across the political spectrum.

The video stemmed from a broader internet meme that portrayed Trump as the king of the jungle, with various Democrats as animal characters from Disney’s “The Lion King.” However, the version Trump shared focused solely on the Obamas, omitting other figures like former President Joe Biden shown as a monkey in the full meme. Critics pointed out this selective editing amplified the offensive content. Leavitt, as press secretary, responded to inquiries by emphasizing the meme’s original context.

The post vanished hours later.

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Initial Defense and Context

Karoline Leavitt issued a statement to multiple outlets, reportedly calling the uproar “fake outrage.” She described the clip as part of a humorous online video where Trump appeared as a dominant lion and Democrats took on various jungle roles. Leavitt urged media to prioritize issues affecting everyday Americans over what she viewed as manufactured controversy. This response aligned with the administration’s pattern of downplaying social media missteps.

That full version included Biden as a banana-eating primate, but Trump’s share isolated the Obamas. Experts noted such depictions carry deep-rooted racist implications, dating to eras of segregation and colonialism.

Outrage built rapidly online.

Bipartisan Backlash Emerges

Republican Senator Tim Scott, the only Black GOP senator, publicly condemned the video as “the most racist thing I’ve seen out of this White House.” He called for its immediate removal and stressed the need for accountability. Other Republicans echoed similar sentiments, marking a rare intra-party rebuke.

Democrats demanded stronger denunciations from GOP leadership. Advocacy groups highlighted the timing during Black History Month, amplifying calls for the post’s deletion. The White House faced mounting pressure as the story dominated morning news cycles.

Trump deleted it Friday morning.

The removal represented an uncommon reversal for Trump, who rarely retracts controversial content. No apology followed from the president or his team, though Leavitt’s earlier defense ceased amid the furor.

Historical Patterns in Focus

Trump’s history with the Obamas includes promoting the false birther conspiracy, alleging Barack Obama was not born in the U.S. This narrative persisted through his 2016 campaign until he reluctantly acknowledged Obama’s Hawaii birth. Such actions have long drawn racism charges from critics.

Observers linked this incident to broader administration tactics of sharing unvetted memes and AI-generated imagery. Past examples include inflammatory posts on immigration and foreign leaders, often dismissed as jokes by aides.

Media reporting for this story: 51% Left | 12% Right | 27% Center | 10% Unrated