Trump Refuses to Apologise After Posting Racist Video of the Obamas
US President **Donald Trump has refused to apologise after a racist video showing former President Barack Obama and former First Lady Michelle Obama was briefly posted to his social media account, drawing widespread condemnation across the political spectrum.
The controversial clip, shared late on Thursday night on Trump’s Truth Social platform, included a brief sequence that depicted the Obamas’ faces superimposed on the bodies of primates—a visual widely recognised as a racist trope given its history of dehumanising Black people. The post remained online for nearly 12 hours before it was deleted amid intense backlash from both Democrats and Republicans.
When reporters asked Trump on Friday whether he would apologise for the post, he flatly declined, saying “I didn’t make a mistake.” The president told journalists aboard Air Force One that he had only watched the beginning of the video—focusing on unfounded claims about election fraud—and did not see the offensive portion before it was shared. He maintained that the video was taken down as soon as the racist imagery was discovered.
“I looked at the beginning of it. It was fine,” Trump said, adding that he had “given it to the people” and assumed others would check it fully before posting. Pressed on whether he condemned the racist elements, he replied, “Of course I do,” but reiterated that he would not apologise.
The White House initially defended the video, with Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt calling it an “internet meme” before shifting blame to a staffer who allegedly posted it in error and later removed it. Despite these explanations, critics have sharply criticised the administration’s response and handling of the incident.
The backlash was bipartisan, with figures across the political divide condemning the racist depiction. Some Republican leaders, including Senator Tim Scott, denounced the video as deeply offensive, while Democrats cited it as evidence of racially insensitive behaviour linked to Trump’s social media strategy. Civil rights groups also spoke out, highlighting the harmful historical context of such imagery.
The episode has reignited broader conversations about racism, political rhetoric, and responsibility in public communication—especially given the high profile of both the current and former presidents. Trump’s refusal to apologise, insisting that no “mistake” was made, has added fuel to debates about accountability for political leaders on digital platforms.
As attention continues on the incident, it remains a flashpoint in discussions about political discourse, race relations, and media oversight in the digital age.
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