Comedian Bill Maher fiercely criticized the Trump administration on 'Real Time' for their 'lame' defense of a racist post shared on Truth Social, which depicted Barack and Michelle Obama as apes. Trump, who later deleted the video, refused to apologize, claiming he only watched part of it and blaming his staff, sparking widespread condemnation and comparisons to Roseanne Barr's past controversy.
Bill Maher, on 'Real Time' Friday, sharply criticized the Trump administration's 'lame' defense of a racist video shared on the former president's Truth Social account. The controversial post depicted Barack and Michelle Obama's faces superimposed onto apes, swaying to 'The Lion Sleeps Tonight.' Trump, who later deleted the video, consistently refused to apologize, claiming he only watched a portion of it and blaming his staff for the share. Maher compared the incident to comedian Roseanne Barr's 2018 controversy, which led to her sitcom's cancellation, and mocked the administration's various defenses, including claims that Trump 'did not mean to hit share' and that it was merely a 'meme of him as the king of the jungle' with Democrats as 'Lion King' characters. Maher highlighted the absurdity of these defenses, pointing out the absence of apes in 'The Lion King' and questioning the 'cartoon character' rule. During a press gaggle, Trump insisted he was the 'least racist president' and refused to take responsibility for the post, even when pressed by reporters and fellow Republicans. Senator Tim Scott, a loyal Trump supporter, called it 'the most racist thing I’ve seen' and urged its removal, a sentiment echoed by Senator Roger Wicker. While Trump eventually stated he condemns racist parts of the video, he offered 'no message' for Americans offended by it. Michelle Obama has previously addressed Trump's actions, noting his attempts to instill fear due to their race and success.
