Trump's Obama Video Controversy Unlikely to Fade Before Midterms: Analyst

Republican Party off to 'very bad start' ahead of November elections, says Washington Examiner executive editor

Published on Feb. 12, 2026

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Washington Examiner Executive Editor Bob Cusack said on Sunday that the Republican Party is off to a 'very bad start' for the November midterm elections after President Donald Trump generated new controversy over the weekend by posting and then deleting a video on Truth Social depicting him as the king of the jungle and former President Barack Obama and former first lady Michelle Obama as apes. The post generated bipartisan backlash, including from Sen. Tim Scott (R-SC), the only black Republican senator, who called it 'the most racist thing I've seen' from the Trump White House.

Why it matters

The controversy over Trump's video is seen as a potential liability for the Republican Party as it seeks to maintain control of the Senate in the upcoming midterm elections. The reaction from Sen. Tim Scott, who heads the National Republican Senatorial Committee, highlights the concerns within the party about the potential political fallout.

The details

Trump posted and then deleted the video on Truth Social, which depicted him as the king of the jungle and the Obamas as apes. The post generated bipartisan criticism, with Sen. Tim Scott calling it 'the most racist thing I've seen' from the Trump White House. The White House said a staffer 'erroneously' posted the video, but Cusack emphasized that people 'want to know' the staffer's identity. Trump admitted he did not watch the full video and declined to apologize for sharing it, saying the depiction of the Obamas was 'some kind of a picture that people don't like,' and he 'wouldn't like it either.'

  • On February 12, 2026, Trump posted and then deleted the controversial video on Truth Social.

The players

Donald Trump

The former president who posted and then deleted the controversial video on Truth Social.

Barack Obama

The former president who was depicted as an ape in the video posted by Trump.

Michelle Obama

The former first lady who was also depicted as an ape in the video posted by Trump.

Tim Scott

The only black Republican senator, who called the video 'the most racist thing I've seen' from the Trump White House.

Bob Cusack

The Washington Examiner executive editor who said the Republican Party is off to a 'very bad start' for the November midterm elections due to the controversy.

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What they’re saying

“The year has gotten off to a very bad start, and I'm sure many Republicans are shaking their head, and this is not going to go away!”

— Bob Cusack, Washington Examiner Executive Editor (Fox 5 News On The Hill)

“It was the most racist thing I've seen from the Trump White House.”

— Tim Scott, U.S. Senator (R-SC) (Fox 5 News On The Hill)

What’s next

The controversy over Trump's video is expected to continue to be a political liability for the Republican Party as it heads into the November midterm elections, with the party's campaign chief, Sen. Tim Scott, expressing concerns about the potential fallout.

The takeaway

The controversy surrounding Trump's video depicting the Obamas as apes highlights the ongoing tensions within the Republican Party and the potential political risks the party faces heading into the midterm elections. The backlash from Sen. Tim Scott, a prominent Black Republican, underscores the sensitivity of such racially charged imagery and the challenges the party may face in appealing to a diverse electorate.