USA06 February, 20262 min read
President Trump Shares Racist Video Depicting Barack and Michelle Obama as Apes, Refuses to Apologize
Truth Social post included an AI-edited clip showing Barack and Michelle Obama portrayed as apes The video reiterated false 2020 election fraud claims and used 'The Lion Sleeps Tonight' soundtrack
57 outlets told this the same way.
Outlets did split on Trump Interrupted by Protesters at San Antonio Rally for Ken Paxton →
Controversial AI social post
President Donald Trump's social account briefly posted a roughly one-minute video that ended with a two-second AI-generated clip showing Barack and Michelle Obama's faces superimposed on primates, set to "The Lion Sleeps Tonight." The clip recycled footage that had been used to promote debunked 2020 voter-fraud claims.
“A racist, AI‑generated video briefly posted to President Trump’s Truth Social/campaign account—showing Barack and Michelle Obama’s faces superimposed on primates—was taken down after bipartisan outrage.”
The video remained online for about 12 hours before the White House removed it amid bipartisan outrage. Multiple outlets described the content as racist and AI-manipulated and noted the post's deletion.
Responses to controversial clip
The clip drew swift, bipartisan condemnation from Democrats, civil-rights groups and some Republicans.
Multiple outlets reported that lawmakers, including Sen. Tim Scott and Sen. Roger Wicker, publicly rebuked the imagery.
Leaders such as NAACP President Derrick Johnson and Congressional Black Caucus Chair Yvette Clarke also denounced it.
Some reports said critics demanded apologies and even the firing of the staffer responsible.
An Obama spokeswoman declined to comment.
Response to controversial post
Officials initially downplayed the imagery — press secretary Karoline Leavitt described it as an 'internet meme' and urged critics to 'stop the fake outrage' — and later said a staffer had 'erroneously' posted the clip.
“Karoline Leavitt called it an 'internet meme' and urged critics to 'stop the fake outrage.'”
Mr. Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One that he 'didn't see the whole thing' and declined to apologize, saying he had approved the post for its election-fraud message and that he 'didn't make a mistake'.
The administration gave varying accounts about who posted the clip and how it circulated.
Context and wider patterns
Several outlets placed the episode in a broader pattern, citing increased use of AI-manipulated imagery by Trump since returning to the White House and links to his longstanding tactics toward political opponents. Reports tied the clip to a history of dehumanizing imagery and earlier controversies such as the 'birther' attacks, and some drew connections to the administration's moves on diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) policies. Others focused on the technical aspect - the viral spread of AI-altered memes - as a warning about how quickly manipulated images can reach a mass audience.
Clip accountability and fallout
Reporting highlighted unresolved questions about who posted the clip, whether any staffer would face discipline, and how the episode might affect messaging and midterm politics. Outlets noted both the White House's claim that the post was erroneous and that some reports mentioned no announced discipline.
“Some calling for the responsible staffer (Burns) to be fired...”
Some pieces emphasized that the clip circulated during Black History Month, which amplified sensitivity. Coverage diverged on follow‑up: some outlets said aides described chaotic, decentralized communications, while others reported calls for firings and apologies.
