President Trump, who continues to promote the false notion that he won the 2020 presidential election, posted a video on TruthSocial Thursday night portraying former President Barack Obama and the former first lady Michelle Obama as apes.
The New York Times described the video as “blatantly racist” and one that “perpetuates a racist trope, used historically by slave traders and segregationists to dehumanize Black people and justify lynchings and other atrocities.”
White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt responded to questions about the President’s post by saying: “This is from an internet meme video depicting President Trump as the King of the Jungle and Democrats as characters from the Lion King. Please stop the fake outrage and report on something today that actually matters to the American public.”
MAGA-aligned U.S. Senator Tim Scott (R-SC) responded to the video on social media by writing: “Praying it was fake because it’s the most racist thing I’ve seen out of this White House. The President should remove it.”
What’s the second most racist thing you’ve seen out of this White House? https://t.co/QnefGuUiEs
— Ramesh Ponnuru (@RameshPonnuru) February 6, 2026
Former U.S. Congressman Adam Kinzinger (R-IL) replied to Scott, “You know it’s real.”
Ramesh Ponnuru, editor of the conservative National Review, who is of Indian descent, also took at shot at Scott, responding: “What’s the second most racist thing you’ve seen out of this White House?”
What’s the second most racist thing you’ve seen out of this White House? https://t.co/QnefGuUiEs
— Ramesh Ponnuru (@RameshPonnuru) February 6, 2026
The official X account of the NAACP released a statement: “Trump posting this video — especially during Black History Month— is a stark reminder of how Trump and his followers truly view people. And we’ll remember that in November.”
Other prominent Black MAGA Republicans– including those in tight electoral races like Florida Rep. Byron Donalds, a Trump-endorsed candidate for Florida Governor and Rep. Wesley Hunt, a Senate candidate in Texas — have not yet responded to the President’s post.
Hunt (R-TX) is running for lawmaker John Cornyn‘s U.S. Senate seat and is hoping for a Trump endorsement.
Hunt’s feed notably features no criticism of the President and instead boasts of unwavering support for Trump. He says in the video below: “I was the first person in the country to endorse President Trump. I didn’t wait for permission. I didn’t wait for polls. I stood up early, and I stood firm. I was one of President Trump’s top surrogates for the 2024 campaign. Nine times in Iowa.”
I was the first person in the country to endorse President Trump.
I didn’t wait for permission.
I didn’t wait for polls.
I stood up early, and I stood firm.I was one of President Trump’s top surrogates for the 2024 campaign.
Nine times in Iowa.
Across California, Colorado,… pic.twitter.com/dfMf5GXUxT
— Wesley Hunt (@WesleyHuntTX) February 6, 2026