Trump earned quick scorn on Friday night as he refused to apologize for sharing a racist video on his Truth Social account depicting former President Barack Obama and Michelle Obama with their faces superimposed on ape bodies in a jungle setting.
The minute-long video promoted debunked 2020 election conspiracy theories about voting machines and ended with an offensive segment set to "The Lion Sleeps Tonight." Trump did not add commentary to the post, which drew immediate backlash, including from Republicans such as Sen. Tim Scott (R-SC), who called it "the most racist thing I've seen out of this White House."
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt blasted reporters earlier Friday, telling multiple outlets, "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."
On a snowy Friday night outside the White House, Trump briefly took questions - but walked away and ignored a reporter's shouted question on the topic.
"Will you apologize for that racist video?" yelled the reporter, as Trump walked away and waved goodbye.
The clip quickly spread on social media.
The official NAACP social media account shared the clip on X and chimed in, "There's your answer..."
Former MSNBC host Keith Olbermann chided on X, "Trump, forever fighting mental health."
The social media account PatriotTakes wrote on X, "He’s not going to start accepting accountability now."
Veteran Jay Mallow added sarcastically on X, “'A StAfFer PosTeD iT' God yall are dumb."
Former DNC staffer Angeles Romero blasted on X, "Racist PoS. Cannot wait until he’s gone."
Greg Canty, partner of Fuzion Communications, railed on X, "Evil empty man."
Canadian YouTuber Mark Slapinski added simply, "He must be impeached!"
Reporter: Will you apologize for that racist video?
Trump: *walks away* pic.twitter.com/eeqQOFi3Ik
— Acyn (@Acyn) February 6, 2026
