A Shocking Close to an Election Conspiracy Clip (Image Credits: Pixabay)
President Donald Trump faced immediate condemnation after sharing a video on Truth Social that ended with a racist portrayal of former President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama.[1][2]
A Shocking Close to an Election Conspiracy Clip
The video appeared amid a flurry of late-night posts from Trump on his platform. It lasted about a minute and pushed unfounded claims of 2020 election fraud, including allegations against Dominion Voting Systems.[2] Near the end, viewers saw primates with the Obamas’ faces superimposed, smiling in a manner critics quickly labeled dehumanizing.
White House officials later described the segment as part of a broader internet meme casting Trump as the “king of the jungle” and Democrats as characters from Disney’s The Lion King. However, the shared clip focused solely on the Obamas, omitting depictions of others like Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez or former President Joe Biden.[1] The timing amplified the outrage, as the incident unfolded during the first week of Black History Month.
Defense Turns to Blame on a Staffer
Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt initially pushed back against critics. She urged people to “stop the fake outrage” and framed the content as harmless satire from online circles.[1]
The post vanished soon after. Officials then attributed the upload to a staffer who “erroneously” shared it, shifting responsibility away from Trump himself. Leavitt had noted the full meme included more figures, but Trump’s version stood alone in its focus.[2]
Reactions Pour In from Republicans and Democrats
Sen. Tim Scott of South Carolina, one of the few Black Republicans in the Senate, led the charge from Trump’s own party. He expressed hope it proved fake and called it “the most racist thing I’ve seen out of this White House,” demanding its removal.[1]
Democrats piled on as well. California Gov. Gavin Newsom’s office deemed it “disgusting behavior” and called for universal Republican denunciation. Ben Rhodes, a former Obama adviser, predicted the imagery would tarnish Trump’s legacy while elevating the Obamas in history books.[3] Groups like Republicans Against Trump declared there was “no bottom” to such actions.
- Sen. Tim Scott: Prayed the post was not authentic and urged immediate action.
- Karoline Leavitt: Dismissed backlash as overblown before the deletion.
- Ben Rhodes: Highlighted long-term historical judgment on Trump.
- Gov. Newsom’s team: Demanded party-wide rejection.
Reviving a Painful Historical Trope
The ape imagery evoked a long-standing racist stereotype used to dehumanize Black people and bolster justifications for slavery. Historians note its persistence in efforts to deny humanity and equality.
Trump’s past fueled comparisons. He promoted the debunked birther theory questioning Obama’s birthplace, referred to African nations with derogatory terms, and during the 2024 campaign questioned Vice President Kamala Harris’s racial identity.[2] Such patterns have drawn repeated accusations of racial insensitivity.
Key Takeaways
- The post blended election conspiracies with a racist visual, posted during Black History Month.
- Even allies like Sen. Scott condemned it outright.
- Deletion followed initial defense, with blame placed on a staffer.
This episode underscores the volatile nature of social media in politics, where a single post can ignite national debate. As the White House moves forward, questions linger about accountability and the boundaries of online expression. What do you think about the rapid deletion and staffer excuse? Share in the comments below.
