(LOOTPRESS) – President Donald Trump removed a controversial social media video on Friday after widespread backlash from lawmakers on both sides of the aisle and civil rights advocates who described the content as racist.
The video, which was posted late Thursday night and deleted shortly before noon Friday, included imagery depicting former President Barack Obama and former first lady Michelle Obama as apes. The post quickly drew criticism from both Democrats and Republicans, with several GOP members publicly urging that it be taken down and followed by an apology.
According to a White House official, the video was posted in error. “A White House staffer erroneously made the post. It has been taken down,” the official said in a statement to NBC News.
The roughly one-minute video centered on false claims about the 2020 election before ending with altered images of the Obamas superimposed onto cartoon apes while the song “The Lion Sleeps Tonight” played. Critics said the imagery echoed longstanding racist tropes directed at Black Americans. The post appeared during Black History Month, which recognizes the achievements and contributions of Black Americans. Obama was the nation’s first Black president.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said the clip was part of a broader meme-style video portraying Trump as a lion and political opponents as characters inspired by The Lion King. In a statement responding to media inquiries, she dismissed the criticism and characterized it as misplaced outrage.
The repost triggered sharp reactions across social media and on Capitol Hill. Sen. Tim Scott, R-S.C., called the video racist and said it should be removed. Other Republican lawmakers, including Sen. Pete Ricketts of Nebraska and Rep. Mike Lawler of New York, also said the post was offensive and should be deleted with an apology issued.
Democratic leaders condemned the video as well. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer called it racist and dangerous, while House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries described it as vile and questioned continued Republican support for the president.
Representatives for the Obamas did not immediately comment.
Trump has previously shared manipulated or AI-generated media clips targeting political opponents on social media, including altered videos posted during past budget and shutdown disputes.
