Trump Posts Racist Video Depicting Obamas as Apes

Republican leaders largely silent on president's latest offensive act.

Published on Feb. 9, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

President Trump has come under fire for posting a video on social media that depicts former President Barack Obama and former First Lady Michelle Obama as apes, a deeply offensive and racist trope. The video remained online for 12 hours before the White House took it down, with the administration dismissing the outrage as "fake." This is just the latest in a long history of Trump's racist rhetoric and actions, which have included promoting the false "birther" conspiracy theory about Obama's birthplace and defending white supremacists in Charlottesville.

Why it matters

Trump's willingness to engage in such blatantly racist behavior, and the tacit acceptance of it by many Republican leaders, highlights the enduring problem of racism in America and the divisive nature of Trump's presidency. This incident further erodes faith in the office of the presidency and its ability to bring the country together.

The details

The video in question showed the Obamas' faces superimposed onto the bodies of apes, a dehumanizing and racist caricature with a long, ugly history. While the White House claimed Trump was unaware of the video's contents, it remained online for 12 hours before being taken down, drawing condemnation from some Republican senators like Tim Scott, who called it "the most racist thing" he's seen from the White House.

  • The video was posted on Trump's social media accounts on February 9, 2026.
  • The video remained online for 12 hours before being taken down by the White House.

The players

Donald Trump

The 45th President of the United States, known for his divisive rhetoric and history of racist behavior.

Barack Obama

The 44th President of the United States, who was the target of the racist video posted by Trump.

Michelle Obama

The wife of former President Barack Obama, who was also depicted in the racist video posted by Trump.

Tim Scott

A Republican senator from South Carolina who condemned the video as "the most racist thing" he's seen from the White House.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”

— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident (San Francisco Chronicle)

“Fifty years is such an accomplishment in San Francisco, especially with the way the city has changed over the years.”

— Gordon Edgar, grocery employee (Instagram)

The takeaway

This incident highlights the ongoing struggle to address the deep-seated racism that continues to plague American society, even at the highest levels of government. It underscores the urgent need for political leaders to condemn such behavior and work towards healing the country's divisions.