Donald Trump has drawn widespread criticism for a racist video that was released and subsequently deleted from his Truth Social platform, where Barack and Michelle Obama are depicted as monkeys. In a statement, Trump acknowledged that he had directed his aides to publish the controversial content but claimed he was unaware of its offensive nature. This assertion contradicts previous statements from the White House, suggesting the video was posted by a staff member without Trump's knowledge, raising questions about the accountability of public figures and their teams in managing harmful content.

The video features edited clips of the Obamas' smiling faces superimposed on the bodies of primates swinging in a jungle, with the song "The Lion Sleeps Tonight" playing in the background. It appears at the end of a one-minute video promoting Trump’s unfounded claims of having won the 2020 presidential election. The incident has reignited discussions concerning Trump's ongoing controversial rhetoric and the impact of social media in propagating racist imagery and messages.

Critics argue that Trump's refusal to apologize further entrenches divisive rhetoric in American politics, reflecting a troubling trend of normalizing such behavior among political leaders. The event underscores the necessity for greater scrutiny of the media platforms that allow such content to proliferate, as well as the influential roles individuals like Trump play in shaping public discourse around race and political legitimacy.