The Trump racist post that circulated on social media this week was removed after the White House said it had been shared by mistake by a staff member. The video depicted former US President Barack Obama and his wife Michelle using racist imagery and repeated false election claims.
The incident triggered condemnation from Democratic figures and renewed scrutiny of President Donald Trump’s online activity during his second term. Critics questioned the White House explanation, noting initial attempts to dismiss the reaction as exaggerated.
The video was shared on Trump’s Truth Social platform late Thursday before being taken down early Friday, according to officials speaking to AFP.
White House Confirms Removal of Trump Racist Post
A White House official told AFP on Friday that the Trump racist post was the result of an internal error. The official said a staff member had posted the content unintentionally and confirmed that it was removed shortly afterward.
“A White House staffer erroneously made the post. It has been taken down,” the official said.
Earlier, Trump’s spokeswoman rejected criticism of the video and described the reaction as “fake outrage.” That response was later contradicted by the acknowledgment that the post should not have been shared.
Content of the Video and Election Claims
The video shared on Trump’s Truth Social account lasted about one minute and promoted conspiracy theories about the 2020 US presidential election. It repeated false claims that Dominion Voting Systems helped manipulate ballot counting to deny Trump victory.
Near the end of the video, Barack Obama and Michelle Obama were briefly depicted with their faces superimposed on monkeys. The imagery is widely recognized in the United States as a racist trope targeting Black individuals.
By early Friday morning, before it was deleted, the video had received more than 1,000 likes on Truth Social, according to AFP reporting.
Background on Trump’s Use of Fabricated Media
During the first year of his second term, Trump increased his use of digitally altered and AI-generated visuals on social media platforms. Many of these posts glorified his image or mocked political opponents.
In 2025, Trump shared an AI-generated video showing Barack Obama being arrested in the Oval Office and appearing in prison attire. In another instance, he posted a manipulated image of House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries wearing a fake mustache and sombrero. Jeffries described that image as racist at the time.
Political Reactions and Democratic Condemnation
The Trump racist post drew swift criticism from senior Democratic figures and allies of the former president. The office of California Governor Gavin Newsom condemned the imagery and called on Republicans to respond.
“Disgusting behavior by the President. Every single Republican must denounce this. Now,” Newsom’s press office said in a post on X.
Ben Rhodes, a former national security adviser to Barack Obama, also criticized the video, describing it as racist and divisive. He said future generations would remember the Obamas positively while viewing Trump’s actions as damaging to US political history.
Kamala Harris Rejects White House Explanation
Former US Vice President Kamala Harris accused the White House of attempting to obscure responsibility for the post. Speaking after the video was deleted, Harris said the explanation lacked credibility.
“No one believes this cover up from the White House, especially since they originally defended the post,” Harris said. She added that Trump’s past behavior made the incident unsurprising to many Americans.
Harris lost to Trump in the 2024 presidential election and has remained an outspoken critic of his administration.
Why the Incident Matters
The controversy highlights ongoing concerns about misinformation, racial imagery, and accountability in official communication channels linked to the US presidency. It also underscores the influence of presidential social media posts, even when shared briefly, and their potential impact domestically and internationally.
For observers in Iraq and the wider region, the incident reflects broader debates within the United States about political discourse, race, and the use of digital manipulation in public messaging.
Conclusion:
The Trump racist post was removed following widespread condemnation and a White House acknowledgment of error. However, reactions from political leaders suggest the controversy may continue to shape debates over responsibility and conduct at the highest levels of US government.
