Trump's 'Racist' Video Sparks Outrage from Jeffries and Schumer

But critics question the credibility of the Democratic leaders' complaints given their own controversial pasts.

Published on Feb. 12, 2026

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A 62-second cartoon video posted on former President Donald Trump's social media platform sparked accusations of racism after it briefly showed the heads of Barack and Michelle Obama on monkey bodies. Democratic leaders Hakeem Jeffries and Chuck Schumer condemned the video as racist, but the article argues that both Jeffries and Schumer have their own histories of controversial statements and actions related to race and antisemitism.

Why it matters

The video controversy highlights the ongoing political tensions and accusations of racism between Democrats and Republicans, particularly involving Trump. It also raises questions about the credibility of Democratic leaders who condemn Trump's actions when they themselves have faced allegations of insensitive or prejudiced behavior.

The details

The video, set to the song "The Lion Sleeps Tonight," showed Trump's head on a lion while the heads of other Democratic figures were placed on various animals. Near the end, for about one second, the video briefly showed the heads of Barack and Michelle Obama on monkey bodies, which sparked the accusations of racism. Trump said he did not see that part of the video. Democratic leaders like Jeffries and Schumer condemned the video as racist, but the article points to their own controversial pasts, including Jeffries' defense of antisemitic figures and Schumer's alleged proposal of a racist plan to appease white voters.

  • The video was posted on Trump's social media platform on a Thursday night.
  • It was removed by noon the following day after the outcry.

The players

Donald Trump

The former president 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 faced allegations of defending antisemitic figures in the past.

Chuck Schumer

The Democratic Senate Minority Leader who also condemned the video as "racist. Vile. Abhorrent," but has been accused of proposing a racist plan to appease white voters in the 1970s.

Barack Obama

The former president whose head was briefly shown on a monkey body in the video, sparking accusations of racism.

Michelle Obama

The former first lady whose head was also briefly shown on a monkey body in the video, adding to the accusations of racism.

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What they’re saying

“He definitely 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 (bizpacreview.com)

“Racist. Vile. Abhorrent.”

— Chuck Schumer, Democratic Senate Minority Leader (bizpacreview.com)

The takeaway

The controversy over Trump's video highlights the ongoing political tensions and accusations of racism between Democrats and Republicans, but it also raises questions about the credibility of Democratic leaders who condemn Trump's actions when they themselves have faced allegations of insensitive or prejudiced behavior in the past.