Trump Refuses to Apologize for Video Depicting Obamas as Apes
News Updated: 07 February 2026 14:52 EAT
Monkey videos of former US president Barrack Obama and his wife Michelle Obama
President Donald Trump on Friday declined to apologize after a video posted on his social media platform briefly showed former President Barack Obama and former First Lady Michelle Obama with their faces superimposed onto apes, a depiction widely condemned as racist. Trump said he had not seen the portion of the video containing the offensive content before it was posted but insisted he had “not made a mistake.”
The video, shared late Thursday on Trump’s Truth Social account, also included false claims about the 2020 presidential election. Near the end of the clip, the Obamas’ faces appeared over dancing primates, prompting immediate outrage from across the political spectrum.
Critics said the imagery echoed a long history of racist caricatures used to demean Black people. The White House removed the video after about 12 hours amid mounting backlash.
Speaking to reporters on Friday aboard Air Force One, Trump said he had only watched the beginning of the video and was unaware of the offensive ending. He reiterated that he condemned the imagery but refused to issue an apology.
The White House initially defended the post as part of an “internet meme” portraying Trump and Democrats as jungle characters. Later, officials said a staff member had mistakenly shared the clip, which was subsequently deleted.
Republicans, including Senator Tim Scott, described the post as “unacceptable” and urged its removal, while other GOP lawmakers called on Trump to apologize. Democratic leaders also denounced the video as racist and demeaning, with civil rights groups warning about its harmful impact.
The controversy coincided with Black History Month, drawing sharper criticism over its racial insensitivity. Supporters of Trump argued the video was satirical and misinterpreted, but the broader political backlash continued.
This incident adds to a series of contentious posts by Trump, including AI-generated clips and conspiracy-laden content, which have previously drawn scrutiny and required deletions.
Observers say the episode highlights ongoing divisions in the U.S. over race, political discourse, and the boundaries of acceptable speech from the president. Trump’s refusal to apologize is likely to continue fueling debate in Washington and beyond.
The fallout underscores deep partisan and racial tensions, with lawmakers and activists analyzing the implications for public trust, civil discourse, and the tone of political communication at the highest levels of government.
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FELIX MAKONA
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