Trump Deletes Obama Ape Post
- Funny
- Offensive
February 6th, 2026 – Last night, President Donald Trump shared a video on his social media platform, Truth Social, that included a brief clip depicting former President Barack Obama and former First Lady Michelle Obama as apes. The roughly 62-second video, which primarily promoted debunked conspiracy theories about the 2020 election, abruptly inserts an AI-generated animation of the Obamas’ faces superimposed on dancing primates set to the tune “The Lion Sleeps Tonight.” Following and outcry of criticism from all sides, the post has now been deleted.
The clip appears at the very end of the video and lasts only a few seconds, but the imagery immediately evoked a racist stereotype historically used to dehumanize Black people — a trope widely condemned by historians and civil rights advocates.
Backlash From Across the Political Spectrum
The post drew swift condemnation from both Democrats and Republicans:
- Sen. Tim Scott (R-SC), the Senate’s only Black Republican, publicly called the video “the most racist thing I’ve seen out of this White House” and urged Trump to take it down.
- Rep. Mike Lawler (R-NY) echoed the call for removal and apology.
- California Gov. Gavin Newsom said the post was “disgusting behavior by the President” and pressed Republicans to denounce it as well.
- Civil rights groups and commentators emphasized that the imagery taps into a long tradition of racist caricature with deeply painful implications.
Leaders from across political lines noted that depicting the nation’s first Black president and first lady in such a manner — even briefly — resonates with historical efforts to demean Black Americans.
White House Response and Defense
The White House, through Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, dismissed the criticism as “fake outrage.” Leavitt framed the post as originating from an internet meme concept portraying Trump as “King of the Jungle” and Democratic figures as characters from The Lion King. She urged critics and the media to focus on more substantive issues facing the country.
Officials also claimed it was unclear whether Trump himself reviewed the content before it was posted, as part of a broader late-night posting spree that included numerous other messages and videos.
Context and Broader Implications
This incident adds to ongoing debates about political discourse, the role of AI and meme culture in public life, and how leaders navigate racially sensitive material. Critics argue that leaving such a post unchallenged normalizes harmful stereotypes, while defenders often emphasize free speech and satire.
The controversy comes at a particularly sensitive time — early in Black History Month — intensifying its symbolic impact. As of this writing, the Obamas themselves have not issued a public comment.