Trump posts video depicting Barack and Michelle Obama as monkeys
U.S. President Donald Trump has ignited widespread condemnation after posting a video on his Truth Social account that depicted former President Barack Obama and former First Lady Michelle Obama as monkeys, a racist trope historically used to dehumanise Black people. The video was shared late on Thursday night as part of a longer clip circulating election conspiracy claims about the 2020 vote, but it drew immediate backlash for its offensive imagery and timing during Black History Month.
The minute-long video, most of which repeated unfounded assertions about alleged election irregularities, concluded with a brief scene showing Obama and his wife’s faces superimposed onto the bodies of primates dancing to the song The Lion Sleeps Tonight. The imagery appeared for only a couple of seconds, but that was enough to trigger sharp reactions across the political spectrum.
Critics condemned the post as overtly racist and offensive, with California Governor Gavin Newsom’s office describing the behaviour as “disgusting” and urging Republicans to denounce it. Republican Senator Tim Scott, one of the few Black GOP lawmakers, called the video “the most racist thing” he had seen from the White House in recent memory and demanded its removal. Other Democratic leaders also denounced the post, saying it was inappropriate for a sitting president to share such imagery.
The White House press secretary, Karoline Leavitt, defended the post by saying it was part of an internet meme portraying Trump as the “King of the Jungle” with Democrats cast as animal characters from The Lion King. She dismissed the widespread criticism as “fake outrage,” urging the public and media to focus on other issues. No official apology was immediately issued, and representatives of the Obamas have not publicly commented.
Observers noted that comparing Black leaders to apes evokes a racist stereotype with a long and painful history in the United States. The incident has intensified debates about the boundaries of political expression, racism, and the responsibilities of public office holders. Many analysts say the timing during Black History Month contributed to the wave of denunciations.
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