Maryland Governor Wes Moore Responds to Trump's Controversial Obama Ape Video
Democratic Maryland Governor Wes Moore, currently the nation's only Black state chief executive, has addressed the controversial social media post from Donald Trump's account that depicted former President Barack Obama and former First Lady Michelle Obama as apes. During a CBS News town hall that aired on Sunday, Governor Moore declined to explicitly label President Trump as racist but strongly implied that his actions speak volumes.
A Question for Trump Himself
When pressed by CBS anchor Norah O'Donnell about whether he believed Trump was racist, Moore responded, "I think that's a question for President Trump." He then added with a telling smile as O'Donnell recounted Trump's claim to be the "least racist" president in history, "I can tell you I know how his actions hit Black folks, and how they hit people of color." Moore emphasized that Trump's actions likely provide the answer before he even has a chance to explain himself.
The governor pointed to both the viral video and the policy priorities of the Trump administration as evidence suggesting animus towards Black Americans. He specifically highlighted the impact of federal employment cuts in Maryland, where an estimated 24,900 residents lost their jobs during Trump's first year in office, disproportionately affecting Black communities and women. Moore described this as the "greatest assault on Black female employment that we've seen in our nation's history."
Video Fallout and Political Reactions
The offensive video was posted from Trump's Truth Social account, originally created by another user, and depicted the Obamas as apes in a jungle—a imagery historically used in racist depictions of Black people. Although it was deleted hours later, the White House's initial defense by press secretary Karoline Leavitt, who denied racist connotations, was later walked back with claims that it was posted by a staffer "by mistake." Trump himself has refused to apologize directly for the video's dissemination.
Critics have widely condemned the post. Republican Senator Tim Scott, the only Black GOP senator, called it the "most racist thing" he had seen from the second Trump administration. House Speaker Mike Johnson echoed the "mistake" explanation, asserting that Trump never saw the video. Meanwhile, former President Obama responded on a podcast, noting that most Americans find the White House's conduct "troubling" and lamenting the loss of decorum and propriety in political discourse.
Political Context and Moore's Future
The controversy emerges at a precarious time for the White House, which cannot afford to lose further political capital as the Republican House caucus faces its thinnest majority yet ahead of the 2026 midterm elections. Defections among moderate GOP senators add to the challenges.
Despite speculation about his national political future, Governor Moore has repeatedly expressed disinterest in running for president, reaffirming during the town hall, "I'm not running for president... I don't see a reason. I love my job. I love what I'm doing." However, his prominence within the Democratic Party and his expected re-election in deep-blue Maryland this November continue to fuel rumors. With former Governor Larry Hogan, a Republican with statewide appeal due to his anti-Trump stance, announcing he will not challenge Moore, the governor is heavily favored to win, positioning him potentially for a second term ending in 2028.
