Trump Refuses to Apologise After Racist Video Depicting Obamas Sparks Backlash

US President Donald Trump has refused to issue an apology after a controversial video shared on his Truth Social account sparked widespread criticism for depicting former President Barack Obama and former First Lady Michelle Obama using racially offensive imagery. The clip remained online for nearly 12 hours before being removed, drawing strong reactions from political leaders across party lines.

The one-minute video featured manipulated visuals that placed the Obamas’ faces onto ape bodies and included repeated, unverified claims regarding the 2020 US presidential election. The post quickly circulated across social media platforms, intensifying debate around political rhetoric, misinformation, and the use of AI-generated or altered content in public discourse.

Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One, Trump defended his decision and said he had not viewed the entire video before it was shared publicly. According to his remarks, he focused only on the opening section, which he described as highlighting concerns about voting systems. Trump stated that the content was later posted by staff and insisted that he had not made a mistake, despite mounting pressure from lawmakers and critics demanding an apology.

The administration initially attributed the upload to an internal error, with officials suggesting that a staff member had posted the video without fully reviewing its contents. The White House later confirmed that the clip was removed once the controversy gained momentum. However, by that time, the footage had already spread widely online, fueling heated political debate and criticism from both Democrats and Republicans.

Several senior Republican figures publicly criticised the post, calling it offensive and inappropriate. Some lawmakers argued that the imagery crossed a line and risked deepening political divisions at a time when the country is already facing intense polarisation. Calls for an apology grew louder as bipartisan condemnation emerged, highlighting the sensitivity surrounding race and political messaging in the United States.

The incident has also reignited discussions about the role of social media platforms in moderating political content and the responsibility of public figures when sharing material online. Analysts note that AI-generated visuals and meme-style content have increasingly blurred the lines between satire, misinformation and harmful speech, creating new challenges for political communication.

Despite the backlash, Trump has maintained that he did not intentionally promote offensive material and reiterated that he reviews a large volume of content daily. His refusal to apologise has kept the issue in the spotlight, adding another chapter to ongoing debates around political accountability, digital ethics and the influence of social media on public perception.

As the controversy continues to unfold, the episode underscores how quickly online content can escalate into major political flashpoints, particularly when it involves prominent leaders and sensitive cultural themes.