Trump Declines to Apologize After Racist Video Targeting Obamas Sparks Bipartisan Outrage

— President Donald Trump is facing intense bipartisan condemnation after a racist, AI‑generated video depicting former President Barack Obama and former First Lady Michelle Obama as apes was posted from his official Truth Social account late Thursday night. Although the video was deleted after roughly 12 hours, Trump has refused to apologize, insisting he “didn’t make a mistake” and claiming he did not view the full clip before it was shared.

A Video That Ignited a Firestorm

The 62‑second video, created by a pro‑Trump meme account, combined false claims about voter fraud in the 2020 election with a brief but highly inflammatory segment in which the Obamas’ faces were superimposed onto cartoon apes while “The Lion Sleeps Tonight” played. The clip bore watermarks from online creators known for producing AI‑generated political content.

The imagery drew immediate condemnation for invoking long‑standing racist tropes historically used to dehumanize Black people. The timing — during Black History Month — further intensified public outrage.

White House Response Shifts Amid Backlash

Initially, the White House defended the post, describing it as an “internet meme video” portraying Trump as “King of the Jungle” and dismissing criticism as “fake outrage.” Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt argued that the media were overreacting and urged reporters to “focus on something that actually matters.”

Hours later, as criticism mounted — including from prominent Republicans — the administration reversed course, claiming a staffer had “erroneously made the post.” Officials did not identify the staff member, and Trump declined to say whether anyone would be disciplined.

Trump: “No, I Didn’t Make a Mistake”

Speaking aboard Air Force One, Trump maintained that he had only viewed the beginning of the video, which focused on voter‑fraud allegations, and was unaware of the racist imagery at the end. When asked directly whether he would apologize, he responded: “No, I didn’t make a mistake.”

He added that he “of course” condemned the racist portion once he learned of it, but critics — including civil rights groups and lawmakers — dismissed his remarks as evasive and insufficient.

Bipartisan Condemnation

The backlash crossed party lines:

• Sen. Tim Scott (R‑SC), the only Black Republican in the Senate, called the video “the most racist thing I’ve seen out of this White House,” urging its immediate removal.
• Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (R‑PA) labeled the incident “a grave failure of judgment” and demanded a “clear and unequivocal apology.”
• House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D‑NY) accused Trump of posting the video intentionally, calling him a “vile, racist, and malignant bottom‑feeder” and urging Republican leaders to denounce him.
• California Governor Gavin Newsom (D) described the post as “disgusting behavior” and insisted that “every single Republican must denounce this.”

Public figures across social media echoed similar sentiments, calling the video “racist,” “disgusting,” and “unacceptable.”

AI, Misinformation, and Accountability

The episode has renewed concerns about the use of AI‑generated media in political messaging, particularly when such content spreads racist imagery or misinformation. The video’s creator, a pro‑Trump meme account, has previously produced AI‑manipulated political content, raising questions about oversight and responsibility within the president’s digital operation.

Critics argue that Trump’s refusal to apologize — even after acknowledging the video’s racist elements — reflects a broader pattern of inflammatory rhetoric and racially charged behavior. The controversy also underscores the heightened scrutiny surrounding presidential communication on Truth Social, a platform Trump created after being banned from major social networks in 2021.

A Deepening Political Divide

The incident has further polarized an already divided political landscape. While Trump maintains that the uproar is exaggerated and rooted in media hostility, lawmakers and advocacy groups warn that such posts normalize racist imagery and erode standards of conduct at the highest levels of government.

As the White House continues to face questions about how the video was posted and why it remained online for hours, the controversy shows no signs of fading — and the president’s refusal to apologize has only intensified the debate over race, accountability, and leadership in the digital age.