Trump's 'Racist' Video Sparks Outrage, but Critics' Own Histories Raise Questions

Jeffries and Schumer denounce Trump's video, but their own records on race and antisemitism come under scrutiny

Published on Feb. 12, 2026

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A controversial 62-second cartoon video posted on President Trump's social media platform has sparked accusations of racism from Democratic leaders Hakeem Jeffries and Chuck Schumer. The video features Trump's head on a lion's body, with the heads of prominent Democrats placed on other animals. Near the end, the video briefly shows the heads of former President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama on monkeys, leading to charges of racism. However, the article points out that both Jeffries and Schumer have their own histories of controversial statements and actions related to race and antisemitism, raising questions about their credibility in condemning Trump's video.

Why it matters

This story highlights the ongoing political tensions and accusations of racism on both sides of the aisle. It also raises questions about the consistency and hypocrisy of political leaders when it comes to addressing issues of race and intolerance, especially when their own records contain similar controversies.

The details

The video was posted on Trump's social media platform and quickly taken down after accusations of racism. It featured Trump's head on a lion's body, with the heads of prominent Democrats like Pelosi, Biden, Schumer, and Ocasio-Cortez placed on other animals. Near the end, the heads of Barack and Michelle Obama were briefly shown on monkeys, sparking outrage. Trump claimed he didn't see that part of the video. Democratic leaders like Jeffries and Schumer condemned the video as racist, but the article points out their own histories of controversial statements and actions related to race and antisemitism, including Jeffries' defense of prominent antisemites and Schumer's alleged proposal to "rid blacks" from a New York neighborhood.

  • The video was posted on a Thursday night and removed by noon the following day.

The players

Donald Trump

The former President of the United States who posted the controversial video on his social media platform.

Hakeem Jeffries

The Democratic House Minority Leader who condemned the video as "disgusting" and "racist", but has his own history of defending prominent antisemites.

Chuck Schumer

The Senate Minority Leader who also condemned the video as "racist. Vile. Abhorrent.", but has been accused of proposing a "blatantly racist scheme" to "rid blacks" from a New York neighborhood in the 1970s.

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What they’re saying

“He definitively needs to apologize. It was a disgusting video ... even a handful of Republicans ... finally showed some backbone in pushing back against the president's malignant, bottom-feeder-like behavior.”

— Hakeem Jeffries, Democratic House Minority Leader (creators.com)

“Racist. Vile. Abhorrent.”

— Chuck Schumer, Senate Minority Leader (creators.com)

The takeaway

This story highlights the ongoing political tensions and accusations of racism on both sides of the aisle, as well as the need for political leaders to be held accountable for their own records on issues of race and intolerance, rather than selectively condemning others.