Washington D.C. – A controversial video posted on former U.S. President Donald Trump’s social media account was removed on Friday, February 6, 2026, after sparking widespread criticism for depicting former President Barack Obama and former First Lady Michelle Obama as primates.
The video, previously circulated on Trump’s Truth Social platform, drew condemnation from across the political spectrum, including members of the Republican party, who deemed the imagery demeaning and approaching dehumanization of African Americans.
The White House initially defended the post, but subsequently removed it approximately 12 hours after it was posted. A Trump advisor stated the president did not view the video before it was uploaded Thursday night and immediately ordered its removal upon learning of its content.
Both White House officials and the Trump advisor declined to be named. The White House likewise did not respond to questions regarding the identity of the staff member who uploaded the video. According to the advisor, only a minor number of senior aides have direct access to Trump’s social media accounts.
Hours before the video’s removal, White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt defended the post, dismissing negative reactions as “fake outrage.”
The roughly one-minute video recirculated false claims that Trump’s 2020 election loss was the result of fraud. The video concluded with a brief segment, appearing to be generated by artificial intelligence (AI), featuring primates dancing with the faces of Barack and Michelle Obama superimposed onto the animals.
Trump has a long history of sharing racially charged rhetoric. He has for years promoted false conspiracy theories that Obama, who served as president from 2009-2017, was not born in the United States. At a prayer event Thursday, Trump again referred to Obama as a “extremely bad” and “divisive” figure.
Criticism of the video came from both sides of the aisle. One of the most prominent critiques came from Republican Senator Tim Scott, a close ally of Trump who is also African American.
“I pray that’s a fake because that is the most racist thing I’ve seen from this White House,” Scott wrote on X. “The President needs to take it down.”
Several other Republican lawmakers also publicly called for Trump to apologize and remove the post. According to a source familiar with internal discussions, some Republican legislators privately contacted the White House to express their objections.
Prior to its removal, Leavitt stated the video originated from an internet meme video depicting President Trump as the King of the Jungle. The video also used music from a Disney musical.
Throughout history, white supremacist groups have frequently depicted people of African descent as monkeys or apes as part of efforts to demean and dominate Black citizens.
“Let this haunt Trump and his racist followers, that future Americans will regard the Obama family as beloved figures while Trump will be viewed as a stain on our history,” wrote Ben Rhodes, a former close aide to Obama, on X.
Thursday’s post also raised questions about internal protocols at the White House regarding the president’s social media communications, which could have broad implications, including for markets and international relations.
Black pastor Mark Burns, a known Trump supporter, said on X that the president told him Friday a staff member was responsible for the post. Burns called for the staff member to be fired.
Trump has previously criticized President Joe Biden for allegedly failing to tightly control official documents circulated on his behalf and signed with an “auto-pen.”
Racial controversies are not new to Trump. In December, he referred to Somali citizens as “trash” who should be deported from the country. He has also previously described a number of developing nations as “shithole countries.”
Last year, Trump was criticized for depicting U.S. House Democratic Caucus Chair Hakeem Jeffries, who is also African American, with a fake mustache and sombrero.
Civil rights groups assess Trump’s rhetoric as increasingly bold, normalized, and politically accepted.
“Donald Trump’s video is blatantly racist, disgusting, and deeply offensive,” said Derrick Johnson, national president of the NAACP, in a written statement. “Voters are watching and will remember this at the ballot box.”
(luc/luc)
[Gambas:Video CNBC]
