Latest News: U.S. President Donald Trump has removed a video from his social media account after it sparked widespread criticism for including a racist clip that showed former President Barack Obama and former First Lady Michelle Obama portrayed as apes. The video quickly became a major topic in Breaking News coverage across the United States and abroad.
The clip appeared at the end of a 62-second video that focused on claims of voter fraud during the 2020 U.S. presidential election. The racist imagery was set to the song The Lion Sleeps Tonight and immediately drew strong reactions from politicians, civil rights groups, and members of Trump’s own party. The controversy now dominates Daily news highlights, raising fresh questions about political responsibility and online conduct.
1. How the Video Was Shared
The video was posted overnight to Trump’s Truth Social account along with dozens of other posts. According to Trump, he did not watch the entire video before it went live.
Speaking to reporters, Trump said he only viewed the beginning of the clip and approved it because he agreed with its message about alleged voter fraud. He claimed he was unaware that the ending included offensive content involving the Obamas.
“I didn’t make a mistake,” Trump said, adding that a staff member had posted the video. He explained that he reviews thousands of items daily and relies on his team to check content fully before publishing.
2. White House Response and Removal
At first, the White House defended the post, calling it an “internet meme video” and dismissing criticism as exaggerated. Officials urged people to focus on other national issues instead.
However, as backlash grew louder — including criticism from senior Republican lawmakers — the video was taken down. A White House official later admitted that the post had been shared in error by a staffer and said it was removed as soon as the issue was fully understood.
Trump later said that if his team had reviewed the video more carefully, “they probably would have had the sense to take it down.”
3. Strong Reaction From Republicans and Democrats
One of the strongest reactions came from Republican Senator Tim Scott of South Carolina. Scott, a close Trump ally, described the video as deeply offensive.
He said he was “praying it was fake” and called it “the most racist thing” he had seen from the White House. He publicly urged the president to remove the post.
Other Republicans also spoke out. New York Representative Mike Lawler called the video “wrong and incredibly offensive,” saying it should never have been shared and should be followed by an apology. Senator John Curtis of Utah later said the post was “blatantly racist and inexcusable.”
Democratic leaders were even more forceful. Illinois Governor JB Pritzker directly accused Trump of racism, while California Governor Gavin Newsom’s office said the behavior was “disgusting” and demanded that all Republicans condemn it.
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries used harsh language, calling Trump’s actions vile and demanding immediate condemnation from Republican lawmakers.
4. Civil Rights Groups Speak Out
Civil rights organizations also reacted strongly. The president of the NAACP described the video as “disgusting and utterly despicable,” saying it reflected long-standing racist stereotypes.
He also accused Trump of using controversy to distract the public from other major issues facing the country, including economic problems and high-profile investigations.
Former Obama administration officials also weighed in, saying the video reflected poorly on Trump’s leadership and legacy.
5. Origins of the Clip and Wider Concerns
The racist clip is believed to have originated from a meme shared months earlier by a conservative online creator. The same video portrayed several well-known Democrats as animals, including lawmakers and political leaders.
The imagery used in the clip echoes historical racist caricatures that compare Black people to animals — a form of dehumanization widely condemned by scholars and civil rights activists.
Critics argue that even if Trump did not personally create the video, sharing such content from the president’s account sends a dangerous message and normalizes hateful imagery.
6. Trump’s History With Obama
This is not the first time Trump has been accused of promoting racially charged content involving Barack Obama. Before becoming president, Trump repeatedly promoted false claims questioning Obama’s birthplace.
Although Trump later acknowledged that Obama was born in the United States, critics say these past actions add context to the current controversy.
The Obamas have not commented publicly on the video so far.
7. Bigger Impact on U.S. Politics
This incident has reignited debates about:
- Political accountability on social media
- Racism in political messaging
- The role of staff versus leadership responsibility
- How misinformation and offensive content spread online
As the story continues to unfold, it remains a key part of Latest News, Breaking News, and Daily news highlights, especially during a tense political period in the United States.
