Donald Trump, the former U.S. President, stirred controversy by posting a video on his Truth Social account that depicted former President Barack Obama and his wife Michelle in a derogatory manner, referring to them as monkeys. This post was met with severe backlash not only from the Democratic Party but also from members of his own Republican Party, marking an unusual moment of bipartisan condemnation. The video, which was initially defended by the White House as a parody akin to 'The Lion King', was removed twelve hours later after public outrage grew against its racial overtones.

Trump, however, remained unapologetic, claiming he hadn't noticed the racist implications of the content when he shared it. In his defense, he mentioned that he was only focused on the parts discussing fraudulent elections, overlooking the offensive portions. His remarks, suggesting his limited viewing of the video, exacerbated the situation, as critics pointed out the inherent racism in comparing Black individuals to primates—a historical stereotype that has long been used to demean Black people. This incident raises questions about the responsibility that public figures hold regarding the content they disseminate.

Responses from Republican lawmakers included sharp criticism, with Senator Tim Scott, the only Black Republican senator, calling it one of the most racist videos he had seen. Other Republican senators echoed similar sentiments, demanding accountability and an apology from the administration. The fact that GOP members felt compelled to speak out against Trump reflects a growing tension within the party regarding race and the public image they project, as they attempt to balance loyalty to Trump against the need to distance themselves from overt racism.