Former US President Donald Trump has ignited a firestorm of controversy and outrage after sharing a deeply offensive and racist video on his Truth Social platform. The clip, which remained live for nearly ten hours, depicts America's first Black President, Barack Obama, and his wife Michelle Obama as monkeys, sparking immediate and widespread condemnation from political figures, activists, and the public alike.
Widespread Condemnation of 'Disgusting' Post
The one-minute video, posted at 4:44 AM, primarily focuses on repeatedly debunked claims about the 2020 Georgia election results. However, it includes a two-second segment that graphically portrays the Obamas as apes, a racist trope with a long and painful history in the United States. The post originated from the 'America First' Patriot News Outlet and forms part of Trump's ongoing personal campaign against American democratic institutions.
Political Figures Lead the Criticism
California Governor Gavin Newsom, a Democratic nominee hopeful known for his social media exchanges with Trump, broke from his usual mocking tone to issue a serious condemnation. He stated, "Disgusting behavior by the President. Every single Republican must denounce this. Now." Newsom shared a post from the Republicans Against Trump account that simply declared, "There’s no bottom."
Liberal influencer Harry Sisson, who has previously been targeted by Trump in AI-generated content, responded forcefully, writing, "Trump posted a video depicting Barack and Michelle Obama as monkeys. Incredibly racist and disgusting. Beneath the office of the presidency, like everything he does. Every American must condemn this."
International and Expert Reactions
Criticism extended beyond American borders, with British scientist Dr. Chigozie Udechukwu describing the post as "a new low." Business consultant DeSota Wilson accused Trump of consistently targeting people of color to "ignite his base," alleging the former president has a propensity for making derogatory remarks aimed at Black and brown communities.
Former Obama administration official Ben Rhoades delivered one of the most scathing assessments, branding Trump "a stain on our history" for allowing the video to remain online without comment as outrage grew.
White House Defends Video as 'Meme'
The Trump White House responded through Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, who claimed the video was merely a "meme" that also depicted Trump as the "king of the jungle." Leavitt dismissed the widespread criticism as "fake outrage," stating, "This is from an internet meme video depicting President Trump as the King of the Jungle and Democrats as characters from The Lion King. Please stop the fake outrage and report on something today that actually matters to the American public."
Broader Context and Implications
This incident occurs at a time when the Trump administration faces intense scrutiny on multiple fronts. The video's prolonged presence on Trump's platform—without removal or apology—has raised serious questions about social media responsibility and the normalization of racist rhetoric in political discourse.
Internet streamer Dean Withers captured the sentiment of many observers with his personal response: "Every day is a new rock bottom for this ugly pig." The episode underscores ongoing tensions in American politics and highlights concerns about how racial divisions are exploited for political gain.
As the controversy continues to unfold, the video remains accessible on Truth Social, serving as a focal point for discussions about racism, presidential conduct, and the boundaries of acceptable political communication in the digital age.
