Donald Trump refused to apologize for a racist video depicting Barack and Michelle Obama as apes, briefly posted on his Truth Social, blaming staff and claiming he didn't see the offensive content.
Former President Donald Trump refused to apologize for a video, later deleted from his Truth Social account, that included a racist image depicting former President Barack Obama and former First Lady Michelle Obama as apes. Trump claimed he only viewed the initial segment of the video, which focused on voter fraud, and placed responsibility for the offensive content on his staff, stating they removed it after watching the entire clip. He insisted he was the 'least racist president' and refused to take personal responsibility, saying, 'No, I didn't make a mistake.' The post appeared on his account for about 12 hours. Republican Senators Tim Scott and Roger Wicker publicly condemned the video, with Scott calling it 'the most racist thing I've seen' and both urging Trump to remove it and apologize. A Republican strategist noted the unusual nature of such direct pushback from elected Republicans. Trump dismissed concerns that the video would harm his standing with minority voters, citing his administration's work on criminal justice reform and funding for Historically Black Colleges and Universities. When pressed, he eventually stated, 'Of course I do,' when asked if he condemns the racist parts, but initially said he had 'no message' for offended Americans, later pivoting to praise the U.S. Michelle Obama has previously acknowledged Trump's attempts to make people fear her and Barack.
