07.02.2026 23:40
U.S. President Donald Trump did not back down despite the backlash following his sharing of a racist video targeting former President Barack Obama and his wife, Michelle Obama, on social media. Trump stated, "I did not make a mistake," and said he would not apologize for sharing the video, nor would there be any action taken against the staff who shared it.
U.S. President Donald Trump announced that he would not apologize for a racist video he shared on the social media platform Truth Social, which depicted former U.S. President Barack Obama and his wife Michelle Obama as monkeys. Trump also stated that the staff member who shared the video would not be dismissed.
"I GAVE THE VIDEO, THEY DIDN'T NOTICE THE END"
In response to a question about whether the White House employee who shared the video would be fired, Trump replied, "No. I gave the video, they didn't notice the end."
When asked if he would apologize, Trump said, "No, I didn't make a mistake."
HE ADMITTED HE DID NOT WATCH THE ENTIRE VIDEO
Trump acknowledged in a statement to reporters on Air Force One that he did not watch the entire video. Trump stated, "I look at thousands of things. I looked at the beginning, there was no problem. No one knew it would end like this."
Claiming that the video was inspired by "The Lion King," Trump argued that the post sent a strong message regarding allegations of "voter fraud." Trump had previously rejected the results indicating that Joe Biden won the 2020 elections multiple times.
THE WHITE HOUSE DEFENDED THE POST
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt defended the post in a statement to PEOPLE magazine. Leavitt said the video was "taken from an internet meme depicting President Trump as the King of the Jungle and Democrats as characters from The Lion King."
Leavitt also stated, "Please stop the fake outrage and focus on the issues that really matter to the American people."
THE POST WAS REMOVED, A STATEMENT ABOUT THE STAFF MEMBER WAS MADE
The video in question was later removed from Truth Social. A White House official stated to PEOPLE,
"The post was made in error by a White House employee and has been removed."
The official did not provide details regarding the identity or employment status of the staff member who made the post.
EVEN REPUBLICANS ARE OUTRAGED
The post also received backlash from within the Republican Party. Senator Tim Scott expressed in a post on X that he hoped the video was "fake," stating, "This is the most racist thing I've seen from the White House." Supporting Trump in the 2024 elections, Scott called on Trump to remove the video in his post.