Donald Trump‘s social media exercise has at all times been headline-worthy, whether or not he retweets a controversial put up or pens a prolonged Fact Social paragraph. However the 79-year-old’s since-deleted Fact Social video of former President Barack Obama and First Woman Michelle Obama sparked outrage, even from fellow Republicans, about its racist undertone. The video was shared to the Republican’s account on Thursday, February 5, earlier than it was eliminated on Friday.
The clip centered on baseless election fraud claims concerning the 2020 presidential election, which former President Joe Biden gained. On the finish of the video, a section of Barack, 64, and Michelle, 62, appeared as cartoon apes, and it was synced to the track “The Lion Sleeps Tonight.”
Any imagery evaluating a Black particular person to an ape has been a long-standing racist trope. February is Black Historical past Month, which acknowledges the achievements, contributions and milestones by Black People. Barack, for his half, was the primary Black president in American historical past.
Praying it was faux as a result of it’s probably the most racist factor I’ve seen out of this White Home. The President ought to take away it. https://t.co/gADoM13ssZ
— Tim Scott (@votetimscott) February 6, 2026
White Home Press Secretary Caroline Leavitt defended the Fact Social video in a textual content, per PBSas simply an “web meme” evaluating Donald to the King of the Jungle from Disney’s 1994 film The Lion King.
“That is from an web meme video depicting President Trump because the King of the Jungle and Democrats as characters from The Lion King,” Leavitt, 28, stated. “Please cease the faux outrage and report on one thing right now that really issues to the American public.”
Nonetheless, simply earlier than midday ET, the clip was taken down. An official advised CNN in a press release that the video was an error by an unnamed staffer.
“A White Home staffer erroneously made the put up,” the assertion learn. “It has been taken down.”
The clip sparked widespread outrage throughout the nation. South Carolina junior Senator Tim Scottwho’s the one Black Republican within the Senate, known as the put up the “most racist factor” he had seen from the White Home.
“Praying it was faux as a result of it’s probably the most racist factor I’ve seen out of this White Home,” Scott, 60, tweetedincluding, “The President ought to take away it.”
Barack and Michelle have but to publicly touch upon the since-deleted video.