Former President Donald Trump is under intense scrutiny after posting a video on Truth Social that many critics describe as offensive and racist. The video, which claims the 2020 election was “stolen” by Dominion Voting Systems, concludes with a brief but striking image showing Barack and Michelle Obama’s faces superimposed on monkeys.
Outrage from Political Leaders and Analysts
The post has drawn widespread condemnation across the political spectrum. California Governor Gavin Newsom’s press office called the video “disgusting behavior by the President” and urged all Republicans to publicly denounce it.
Political strategist Adam Parkhomenko described the video as “overt racism. Full stop. There’s no ‘misinterpretation’ and no excuse. This is who he is, who he’s always been, and why he should never be anywhere near power again.”
Social media users also expressed strong reactions. One user wrote, “Being a racist, and posting racist memes, places you on the ladder rung two steps below contempt. I’d call you a pig, but that would be doing a grave disservice to pigs around the world. The world awaits your political demise with great anticipation.” Another added, “Can’t believe I voted for you, Mr. President. It’s a new low every day.”
Support from Some Followers
Not all responses were critical. Several supporters defended the post, with one writing, “God bless you, Sir!” Another commented, “Stop the voter fraud. Republicans need to grow a spine and pass legislation to end the cheating.”
The controversial video was only one element of a larger posting spree on Truth Social. Over a three-hour period, Trump made more than 60 posts, repeating claims about alleged election fraud, promoting a Super Bowl advertisement, and suggesting his likeness should be added to Mount Rushmore.
White House Response
The White House responded to the controversy through Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, who emphasized that the image originated from a social media meme. Leavitt stated, “This is from an internet meme video depicting President Trump as the King of the Jungle and Democrats as characters from The Lion King. Please stop the fake outrage and report on something today that actually matters to the American public.”
Public Reaction and Next Steps
As of Friday morning, the post had received more than 2,500 likes and been shared over 1,100 times. The Obamas have not issued a public response to the video.
Observers note that the post has intensified conversations about political rhetoric and the boundaries of social media content from public figures. The controversy comes amid ongoing debates over election integrity, partisan divisions, and the role of former presidents in shaping public discourse.
The video’s imagery, brief as it is—lasting only a few seconds with the Obamas’ faces on monkeys set to the song The Lion Sleeps Tonight—has drawn particular attention due to its historical connotations and the public stature of its subjects. Analysts emphasize that such depictions can have lasting effects on public perception and political discourse.
The incident underscores the increasingly high stakes of online communication by prominent political figures. Critics argue that digital platforms amplify messaging in ways that can inflame tensions, while supporters contend that social media allows politicians to bypass traditional media filters.
As the fallout continues, political commentators and social media users alike are closely monitoring responses from elected officials, advocacy groups, and the public. Whether further statements are issued by Trump, the Obamas, or other political leaders remains to be seen.