New York Republican Rep. Mike Lawler publicly criticized President Donald Trump on Sunday following a post from last week that included a racist animation depicting former President Barack Obama and former first lady Michelle Obama as apes.
Lawler’s Response and White House Explanation
“I think sometimes in our public discourse it is best to just say, ‘I’m sorry,’ ” Lawler told ABC News’ “This Week” co-anchor Jonathan Karl. Lawler, who was among the first Republicans to condemn Trump’s post on Friday, stated he is accepting the White House’s explanation that the post was a “mistake” made by a staffer. He also characterized the creator of the meme as “an idiot.”
When asked on Friday if he would apologize for the video, Trump reportedly said he would not. He claimed he had only seen the beginning of the video and that it was “fine.” When pressed on whether he condemned the racist portion of the video, Trump stated, “Of course I do.”
The post combined debunked 2020 election conspiracy claims with the imagery of the Obamas depicted as apes, set to the song “The Lion Sleeps Tonight.” Initially, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt dismissed criticism as “fake outrage,” but the post was later attributed to a staff error and subsequently deleted approximately 12 hours after it was published.
Additional Issues Discussed
Lawler also addressed reports that President Trump requested that Penn Station and Dulles International Airport be renamed in his honor, linking the request to the release of $16 billion in infrastructure funding. Lawler stated he does not care what a building is named, but wants the infrastructure project completed. He noted that Trump and Senator Schumer have known each other for roughly 50 years.
The Congressman also discussed immigration, stating that a legal path forward is needed for individuals who have been in the country for extended periods, allowing them to work and pay taxes legally, but without collecting government benefits or having a criminal record.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was Rep. Lawler’s initial reaction to Trump’s post?
Rep. Lawler was one of the first Republicans to criticize President Trump over the post on Friday, reiterating his criticism on Sunday.
How did the White House initially respond to criticism of the post?
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt initially dismissed criticism of the video as “fake outrage” before the White House later blamed it on a staffer and deleted the post.
What did President Trump say when asked if he would apologize for the video?
Trump said he would not apologize, stating he hadn’t seen the full video and that the portion he did see was “fine.” He also said he condemned the racist portion of the video.
As political divisions continue to shape the national conversation, how might instances like these influence the future direction of the Republican party?
