“Won’t Apologise,” Trump Says After Racist Obama Post Is Taken Down

A social media post from US President Donald Trump triggered widespread outrage after a video shared on his Truth Social account briefly depicted former President Barack Obama and former First Lady Michelle Obama with their faces superimposed on jungle primates imagery long recognised as a racist trope used historically to dehumanise Black people. The post, uploaded late at night as part of a series of messages amplifying Trump’s false claims that the 2020 election was stolen, was deleted within hours following sharp bipartisan backlash .

The White House said an unnamed staffer had posted the video in error, describing it as an internet meme parody that had not been properly reviewed. Press secretary Karoline Leavitt initially dismissed criticism as “fake outrage” before the post was removed. The explanation, however, has raised fresh questions about account control and vetting procedures, since Trump’s Truth Social profile is also used for official announcements , policy statements, and political messaging.

Speaking to reporters, Trump insisted he had only watched the beginning of the video which focused on alleged voter fraud and said he had not seen the offensive ending before it was posted. He declined to apologise, stating, “ I didn’t make a mistake .” Trump also said he had spoken with Republican Senator Tim Scott, the Senate’s only Black Republican, and suggested Scott understood his explanation, though public criticism from GOP lawmakers continued.

Condemnation came from across the political spectrum. Civil rights groups, including the NAACP , described the video as offensive and dehumanising , particularly during Black History Month . Several Republican senators, in a rare break from party unity, called the post unacceptable and urged stronger accountability. The reaction marked an unusual moment of intra-party criticism for a president who typically commands strong loyalty from his party.

The episode has reignited debate over the use of incendiary rhetoric in presidential communication and the broader political strategy behind provocative online content. Critics argue such posts help energise Trump’s political base and dominate the news cycle, while supporters frame them as humour or satire. Regardless, the incident underscores the enduring sensitivity of racial imagery in American political life and the consequences when such material is circulated from the highest levels of government.