US President Donald Trump said he did not see a racist segment depicting former President Barack Obama and former first lady Michelle Obama as apes in a video shared on his social media account, insisting he bears no responsibility for the post.
The clip appeared at the end of a minute long video Trump shared overnight that included unfounded claims of voter fraud in the 2020 presidential election. The post was later removed following widespread backlash.
Speaking to reporters, Trump said he had only watched the beginning of the video and claimed a staff member posted it without his full review. Asked whether he would apologise, he said he had “not made a mistake”.
The White House initially dismissed criticism by describing the post as an internet meme, but later said the video had been shared in error and removed once the offensive content was identified.
The clip drew condemnation from across the political spectrum, including senior Republicans. One senator described it as the most overtly racist act to emerge from the White House, while others called the post offensive and unacceptable regardless of intent.
The video, which circulated previously on social media platforms, portrays several Democratic figures as animals. Critics said the imagery echoed long standing racist stereotypes used against Black Americans.
Civil rights groups also condemned the post, describing it as deeply offensive and accusing Trump of using inflammatory content to distract from political and economic pressures.
Trump said he supported the video’s claims about election fraud but acknowledged that the post should not have remained online if staff had reviewed it fully. He added that it was taken down as soon as concerns were raised.
The Obamas have not commented publicly on the incident.