White House Engulfed in Speculation Over Racist Obama Video Posting
Internal speculation is swirling within the White House over responsibility for a now-deleted racist video that depicted Barack and Michelle Obama as monkeys, with blame being deflected from Donald Trump onto a devoted aide. The brief clip, shared late Thursday night on Trump's Truth Social account, appeared in a video pushing conspiracies about the 2020 election, invoking racist tropes by superimposing the Obamas' faces on cartoon apes dancing to The Lion Sleeps Tonight.
Trump's Account and Internal Finger-Pointing
Speaking to reporters on Air Force One en route to Palm Beach, Florida, on 6 February 2026, Trump claimed he had only briefly viewed part of the video before handing it off to an unidentified staffer to post. He stated he would not fire the staffer or apologize, insisting he made no mistake. This recounting has sparked intense speculation inside his orbit about the president's direct involvement and which aide ultimately authorized the post. Only two aides, Dan Scavino and Natalie Harp, have access to Trump's social media account, according to sources familiar with the matter.
Advisers quickly discounted Scavino, who has been preoccupied with his new role running the presidential personnel office, and instead focused on Harp, who has a history of entanglement in Trump's communications. The White House did not respond to requests for comment amid the intrigue, following a tumultuous day where the press shop initially defended the video before backtracking and blaming a staffer—a claim Trump repeated in calls with Republican lawmakers.
Reactions and Fallout from the Controversial Post
In a call with Tim Scott, the only black Republican senator who explicitly denounced the video as racist, Trump asserted it was a staffer's error and promised to take it down, as reported by CBS News. This move to delete the video marked a rare reversal for Trump, who typically stands by provocative statements. Earlier, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt had dismissed criticism, describing the video as an internet meme and urging an end to fake outrage.
Natalie Harp, 35, is among Trump's most loyal aides, known as Human Printer for carrying a portable printer to provide him with hard copies of tweets and articles. She has established a broader role as an information conduit but has faced criticism for poor judgment, such as sending an aggressive text to megadonor Miriam Adelson in 2024. Her proximity to Trump and tendency to operate outside formal chains have fueled resentment among colleagues, with some suggesting she is a liability, though Trump has consistently rebuffed such concerns and rewarded her loyalty.
Regardless of who posted the video, Trump's advisers indicated that repercussions are unlikely, highlighting the ongoing tensions and lack of accountability within the administration over this racially charged incident.
