Trump's Racist Social Media Post Insults High School Students

English teacher says president's actions make his job harder in urban school district

Published on Feb. 11, 2026

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A high school English teacher in Troy, New York, says President Trump's recent posting of a racist meme featuring the Obamas has deeply impacted his students of color, leaving them feeling frustrated and stripped of their dignity. The teacher says the incident has made his job as an urban educator even more challenging.

Why it matters

Trump's actions are seen as further dividing the country along racial lines, which has a direct impact on educators working with diverse student populations. The incident highlights the challenges teachers face in counteracting the influence of social media and political rhetoric on young people.

The details

After Trump posted a racist meme featuring the Obamas on his Truth Social platform, multiple students of color at the teacher's high school came to him asking if it was real. The teacher confirmed that the president had indeed shared the offensive content, which depicted the Obamas' faces superimposed on the bodies of apes. The students were not angry, but frustrated that their own president had stripped them of their dignity.

  • On Thursday, February 10, 2026, President Trump posted the racist meme on his Truth Social platform.
  • On Friday, February 11, 2026, news of the post spread around the teacher's high school, prompting students to seek confirmation from the teacher.

The players

Brian Huba

A 12th-grade English teacher at an urban high school in Troy, New York, who has been teaching for 18 years.

Jayden Walker

An 18-year-old high school senior who expressed concern about the president's actions and the lack of repercussions.

Bella Sanchez

A 16-year-old high school junior who described Trump's actions as "low-key racism".

Anthony Emanuel

A special education teacher who is currently the only Black member of his school's faculty.

Naya Davis

A 17-year-old high school senior who criticized Trump's attempt to blame a staffer for the racist post.

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What they’re saying

“Scary, it felt scary, considering we are still so early into what seems to be a dictatorship, the censorship of words, truth, the blending of truth and lies. I don't know what to expect for my future.”

— Jayden Walker, High school senior (San Francisco Chronicle)

“Low-key racism”

— Bella Sanchez, High school junior (San Francisco Chronicle)

“If Trump made the Obamas hyenas instead of apes, nobody would care, but he didn't, and that was intentional. More importantly, where's the support for our woefully underfunded schools? That's my main concern. Our kids are on social media by the time they're 8 years old. As educators, we need to counteract that with truth and knowledge. We need to be accountable.”

— Anthony Emanuel, Special education teacher (San Francisco Chronicle)

“Trump falsely blaming a 'staffer' for this video is inherently wrong. Not just in the racist context, but in the way that's been acceptable and allowed by the general public as an excuse for this behavior. Trump being able to pass the behavior done by him is allowing there to be a precedent that this excuse is acceptable. It is not, especially from our government.”

— Naya Davis, High school senior (San Francisco Chronicle)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This case highlights growing concerns in the community about repeat offenders released on bail, raising questions about bail reform, public safety on SF streets, and if any special laws to govern autonomous vehicles in residential and commercial areas.