Trump REFUSES to Apologize for Racist Obamas Post

President Donald Trump refused to apologize for sharing a video depicting Barack and Michelle Obama as apes, claiming he only watched the beginning and insisting “I didn’t make a mistake” despite bipartisan condemnation and demands for accountability.

Story Snapshot

Trump posted an AI-generated video on Truth Social late Thursday night showing the Obamas with ape bodies, removed 12 hours later after intense backlash
The president claimed he only viewed the first part of the video and blamed staff for the error while refusing to apologize
Republican Senator Tim Scott called it “the most racist thing I’ve seen out of this White House” prompting a phone call with Trump
The incident occurred during the inaugural week of Black History Month, amplifying its cultural significance
Both Democratic and Republican lawmakers condemned the video, with some Republicans demanding removal and apology

The Video That Sparked a Firestorm

Trump’s Truth Social account posted the offensive content at 11:44 PM ET on Thursday, February 5, 2026. The AI-generated video, styled as a Lion King parody by a MAGA meme account, depicted the first Black president and first lady with ape bodies while including debunked claims about the 2020 election. The video also featured other Democratic officials including Joe Biden, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Eric Adams, and Hillary Clinton. White House staff initially defended it as “an internet meme” before removing it approximately 12 hours later following widespread condemnation from both parties.

A Pattern of Controversy Resurfaces

The incident reignited Trump’s documented history with Barack Obama, particularly his prominent role in the “birther” movement that falsely claimed Obama was born in Kenya with a forged birth certificate. The racist imagery invoked long-standing stereotypes that civil rights organizations immediately condemned. The video emerged during what sources described as a late-night “spree” of posting and reposting on Trump’s platform between 10 PM and midnight Thursday. This historical context made the refusal to apologize particularly troubling to critics who saw it as part of a continuing pattern.

Republicans Face Uncomfortable Questions

Senator Tim Scott, the only Black Republican in the Senate and head of the NRSC, called the video “the most racist thing I’ve seen out of this White House.” Senator Roger Wicker labeled it “totally unacceptable” and demanded Trump remove it and apologize. The four-hour gap between the White House’s initial defense and the video’s removal suggested internal disagreement about the appropriate response. Republican colleagues made calls to White House staff urging deletion during this period. Trump later spoke with Scott by phone, characterizing the conversation positively and claiming Scott “comprehended that completely.”

The President’s Defense Strategy

Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One on Friday afternoon, Trump maintained he “looked at the first part” of the video and it “was fine,” focusing on the election fraud claims. When pressed about apologizing, he stated: “No, I didn’t make a mistake. I mean I look at a lot of, thousands of, things, and I looked at the beginning of it. It was fine.” Trump’s account contradicted itself, claiming both that a staffer erroneously posted it and that he saw the video first before giving it to “the people” to post. When directly asked if he condemned the racist portion, Trump said “Of course I do.”

The Accountability Debate

Democratic leaders delivered harsh responses. House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries called Trump “a vile, unhinged and malignant bottom feeder,” while Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer characterized the content as “Racist. Vile. Abhorrent” and “dangerous.” NAACP National President Derrick Johnson stated the video was “overtly racist, repulsive, and completely abhorrent.” The Obama family remained publicly silent on the incident, later posting only to wish Team USA good luck at the Winter Olympics. Sources noted that before Trump entered politics in 2015, elected officials commonly faced repercussions for racist remarks, suggesting shifted accountability standards.

What This Reveals About Modern Politics

The incident exposed fundamental questions about presidential responsibility for social media content and the erosion of traditional standards for public discourse. The fact that bipartisan condemnation occurred yet no apology followed demonstrates how political polarization affects even clear-cut issues of basic decency. The timing during Black History Month added insult to injury for communities already concerned about racial rhetoric in political spaces. The use of AI to create the offensive content raises additional concerns about technology enabling more sophisticated forms of racist propaganda. Republican officials found themselves in the uncomfortable position of criticizing their own president on racial issues, revealing internal party tensions.