POLITICS

Trump posts video depicting Obamas as apes; deleted

PUBLISHED Feb 6, 2026, 12:48 PM ET

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Media Bias Meter

Sources: 11

Left 9%

Center 73%

Right 18%

Sources: 11

Washington, President Donald Trump shared a Truth Social video Thursday evening that briefly depicted former President Barack Obama and former First Lady Michelle Obama with their faces superimposed on apes while The Lion Sleeps Tonight played. The 62-second clip promoted unproven 2020 election fraud claims; only the Obamas' image appeared in the version Trump posted. The White House defended the post as an internet meme and called criticism fake outrage. Bipartisan lawmakers and civil rights leaders condemned the imagery, and the post was deleted Friday, which officials attributed to a staff error. Based on 8 articles reviewed and supporting research.

By Emily Rhodes | JQJO News

Timeline of Events

Thursday: President Trump posts a Truth Social video that includes an Obamas-as-apes clip.
Immediate: Civil-rights leaders and lawmakers from both parties condemn the imagery.
Shortly after: White House press secretary calls criticism 'fake outrage' and defends the meme origin.
Media and public scrutiny focus on the clip's election-fraud content and racial depiction.
Friday: The post is deleted; officials state a staffer posted it in error.

Media Bias

Articles Published:: 11
Right Leaning:: 2
Left Leaning:: 1
Neutral:: 8

Who Benefited

Social media platforms and high-engagement outlets experienced increased traffic and engagement; political opponents and critics gained public statements to cite for condemnation.

Who Impacted

The Obamas, Black communities, and public trust in political discourse faced reputational harm and renewed scrutiny over racist imagery in political messaging.

Media Bias

Articles Published:: 11
Right Leaning:: 2
Left Leaning:: 1
Neutral:: 8
Distribution:: Left 9%, Center 73%, Right 18%

Who Benefited

Social media platforms and high-engagement outlets experienced increased traffic and engagement; political opponents and critics gained public statements to cite for condemnation.

Who Impacted

The Obamas, Black communities, and public trust in political discourse faced reputational harm and renewed scrutiny over racist imagery in political messaging.