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A single viral Truth Social repost spiraled into bipartisan outrage—handing corporate media a fresh opening to paint the Trump White House as reckless and out of control.
Story Snapshot
- President Donald Trump reposted an AI-styled meme video that depicted Barack and Michelle Obama with faces superimposed on apes, prompting widespread condemnation.
- The post stayed up for roughly 12 hours before it was deleted after backlash, including criticism from several Republicans.
- Trump told reporters he only watched the initial segment focused on voter fraud claims and blamed the repost on a staffer.
- CNN’s Jake Tapper publicly mocked the “staffer” explanation while calling the content “vile” and “racist,” amplifying the controversy.
What Was Posted, Where It Came From, and Why It Blew Up
President Trump shared a video to Truth Social that had been created and circulated by a pro-Trump meme account identified as @XERIAS_X, according to reporting that tracked the video’s watermark and origin. The clip reportedly began with material about voter fraud and voting machines, then shifted to imagery depicting Barack and Michelle Obama in a jungle setting with their faces superimposed on apes, backed by “The Lion Sleeps Tonight.”
CNN’s Jake Tapper Mercilessly Mocks Trump’s ‘Staffer’ Excuse For Racist Obama Apes Video https://t.co/0fY9b4tOcV
— Mediaite (@Mediaite) February 7, 2026
The sharp reaction was driven by the specific historical connotation of comparing black Americans to apes—something even Trump allies acknowledged in real time by urging removal. The research provided indicates the video remained online for about 12 hours before deletion, and the duration mattered: it created a window for opponents and media to capture, replay, and frame it as a deliberate presidential message rather than a quickly corrected mistake.
Republican Pushback Was Immediate—and Unusually Direct
Sen. Tim Scott, a Republican and Trump ally, denounced the post in unusually blunt terms, calling it the “most racist thing” he had seen out of the White House and pressing for it to come down. Rep. Mike Lawler also publicly demanded deletion and an apology, while Sens. Roger Wicker and Pete Ricketts called it “totally unacceptable” and pointed to its “racist context.” Those statements created a rare intraparty moment where several Republicans prioritized distancing the party from racial smear imagery.
That matters politically because it shows the controversy wasn’t limited to predictable left-wing critics. When members of your own coalition say the content crosses a line, the argument shifts from “media hit job” to an internal standards issue—especially when the subject involves a former president and first lady. Based on the available research, the White House also faced private pressure from Republicans to remove the post, suggesting leadership recognized the damage potential even among supportive audiences.
Trump’s “Staffer” Explanation and the Accountability Problem
Trump addressed the incident during a Friday night press gaggle on Air Force One. According to the provided reporting, he blamed a staffer for the repost and said he only viewed the first portion of the video focused on voter fraud claims. When asked about the racist elements, he indicated he condemned them, but the research summary notes he did not offer a direct message to Americans who were offended. The staffer’s identity was not confirmed in the available material.
The central issue for voters who care about competent governance is less about internet culture and more about process and responsibility. The research indicates the repost originated from a meme account and that the White House line was essentially “I didn’t see that part.” If a president’s official feed can circulate inflammatory AI-generated content for half a day, critics will argue controls are weak. With only one detailed source provided, it remains unclear who reviewed content before posting or what policy changes followed.
How Tapper and the Cable-News Machine Used the Moment
CNN’s Jake Tapper seized on the explanation, mocking the idea that a “staffer” was responsible for the post while describing the content as “vile” and “racist.” MSNBC’s Joe Scarborough also criticized what he portrayed as Republican reluctance to confront the story. The combined effect was predictable: a cycle where the original offensive content becomes secondary to the narrative that Trump either endorses it or can’t manage what is posted in his name, with the “staffer” detail treated as a punchline.
Democrats added fuel with sharp condemnations, including incendiary language attributed in the research to House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries and Rep. Jasmine Crockett. That response ensures the story stays alive because it becomes a partisan weapon rather than a short-lived mistake. Based on the research provided, there were no confirmed consequences—such as a firing—or a formal apology by the end of the timeline described, leaving the administration open to continued questions about oversight and discipline.
Sources:
Trump shares ‘racist’ Obama ‘apes’ video before blaming staffer as backlash grows