WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump used his social media account to share a video about election conspiracy theories that includes a racist depiction of former President Barack Obama and his wife, Michelle Obama, as primates in a jungle.
The Republican president's post immediately drew backlash for its offensive depiction of the nation's first Black president and first lady. It was part of a series of social media activities amplifying Trump's false claims that the 2020 election was stolen from him, despite courts nationwide and a Trump-appointed attorney general finding no evidence to support such claims.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt rejected the criticism, stating, This is from an internet meme video depicting President Trump as the King of the Jungle... Please stop the fake outrage and report on something that actually matters. This defense raised further concerns, with critics calling it a blatant display of racism.
The short video clip shows a variety of conservative caricatures, insinuating widespread election fraud, followed by an image placing the Obamas' heads on primate bodies. This frame was taken from a larger video circulated by a well-known conservative meme creator.
The incident was criticized by various groups, including Republicans Against Trump, who condemned the post for its racist imagery. This is not the first time Trump has faced accusations of racism; he has a long history of making incendiary comments, including during his campaigns where he referred to immigrants in derogatory terms.
Trump also promoted false theories about Obama's citizenship for years, echoing sentiments that continued even after Obama released his birth certificate to dismiss the rumors. This cycle of inflammatory rhetoric raises questions about the future tone of American politics as the 2024 election approaches.
