A social media post by former President Donald Trump, which depicted Barack and Michelle Obama as primates in a jungle, was deleted following a significant backlash from both Republican and Democratic leaders who deemed it offensive and racist.
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pbs.orgapnews.comThe post, made on Trump's Truth Social account, was part of a series of messages promoting his unfounded claims that the 2020 election was stolen.The video included a scene where the smiling faces of the Obamas were superimposed onto images of primates, which drew immediate condemnation.
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apnews.commilitary.comInitially, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt dismissed the outrage as "fake," asserting that it was merely a repost of a meme.
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pbs.orgHowever, as criticism mounted, including calls from civil rights leaders and members of Congress, the White House later stated that a staff member had erroneously posted the video, and it was subsequently taken down.
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apnews.comwbay.comTrump himself, while speaking to reporters, claimed he had no intention of apologizing for the post, stating, "I didn't make a mistake." He maintained that the video was focused on issues of election fraud.
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weau.comThis incident occurred during the first week of Black History Month, which heightened the sensitivity surrounding the post.Critics pointed out the irony of Trump's actions in light of a recent proclamation that celebrated the contributions of Black Americans to the nation.
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military.comwbay.comThe backlash was swift and widespread.Notable figures like Rev.Bernice King, daughter of Martin Luther King Jr, and US Senate members from both parties condemned the video.Senator Tim Scott, the only Black Republican in the Senate, referred to it as "the most racist thing I've seen out of this White House." Similarly, Senator Roger Wicker called the post "totally unacceptable" and urged Trump to apologize.
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apnews.commilitary.comNAACP President Derrick Johnson described the video as "blatantly racist, disgusting, and utterly despicable," suggesting it was a distraction from pressing issues such as economic conditions and the Jeffrey Epstein case.
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pbs.orgwbay.comHistorically, the association of Black individuals with primates has deep roots in racist rhetoric, dating back to the 18th century.This practice has been used to dehumanize Black people and justify systemic racism.
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military.comweau.comTrump’s past rhetoric has included incendiary comments about majority-Black countries and unfounded claims about President Obama’s citizenship, further fueling accusations of racism against him.
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apnews.comwbay.comAs the political ramifications of this incident unfold, it highlights the ongoing tensions within the Republican Party and the broader societal issues related to race and representation in America.
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pbs.orgmilitary.comThe deletion of the post, coupled with Trump's refusal to apologize, underscores the complexities of his communication style and the challenges faced by his administration regarding race relations.
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apnews.comweau.comThis incident serves as a reminder of the responsibility public figures hold in their discourse and the potential consequences of their actions in a deeply divided political environment.
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military.comwbay.comThe backlash against Trump's post indicates a growing intolerance for racially insensitive remarks, even among his Republican base, suggesting a shift in the political landscape.
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apnews.comwbay.comAs the situation develops, it remains to be seen how this will impact Trump's support and the Republican Party's approach to race and messaging in future elections.
