Roomies… things got tense at the White House this week when a post meant to highlight alleged voter fraud quickly spiraled into a major controversy. President Donald Trump found himself in the center of a firestorm after a video depicting former President Barack Obama and former First Lady Michelle Obama as apes in a jungle was posted. Looks like Trump has since spoken out following the backlash…and his reaction has the timeline is shook.
RELATED: What Was Posted?! Social Media Is Goin’ OFF After Clip Shared On Trump’s Truth Social Account Showed Obamas Depicted As Apes (VIDEO)
Trump Won’t Let Up Amid Video Controversy
The clip, shared late Thursday night, was deleted after bipartisan outrage erupted, including criticism from prominent Republicans. Trump, speaking to reporters on Air Force One Friday, insisted he hadn’t seen the final frames of the offensive video and blamed a staffer for the mistake. “I looked at the beginning of it. It was fine,” he said, referring to the portion that discussed debunked claims of voter fraud. “Nobody knew that that was in the end. If they would have looked, they would have seen it, and probably they would have had the sense to take it down.”
Despite calls from GOP leaders, including Sen. Tim Scott — the Senate’s only Black Republican — to issue an apology, Trump declined. “No,” he said. “I didn’t make a mistake.” The president added that he condemned the racist portion of the clip, but maintained that it would not hurt Republicans’ standing with Black voters. “I am, by the way, the least racist president you’ve had in a long time,” he told reporters.
White House Divided As Trump Faces Media Fallout
Sources within the White House described a defensive day behind the scenes, with staffers and advisers scrambling to manage the backlash and dispute any direct involvement from Trump himself. Some officials insisted the president was “very let down by the staffer who put it out,” while others attempted to pin the post on a specific aide. The White House had initially dismissed concerns as “fake outrage,” but the fallout grew too large to ignore, prompting the clip’s removal before midday Friday.
As the controversy continues, the incident has drawn attention to how quickly social media missteps can escalate, particularly when they touch on sensitive racial imagery — and how even senior allies of the president are willing to publicly call out offensive content.
Folks Can’t Believe This Is Actually Going Down
Once fans learned Trump’s response was on the way, they flooded The Shade Room’s Instagram comment section with their reactions. Some urged voters to turn out and make their voices heard in the upcoming midterms. And, others expressed disbelief that such a thing unfolded during Black History Month. Meanwhile, plenty of commenters admitted they weren’t shocked by anything involving Trump anymore.
One Instagram user @ricksaban wrote, “Marshmallow Minions stay lying…“
This Instagram user @shone_brianna said, “We never expected an apology from him. That would be too adult like 🥴”
The Instagram user @shiiidominiqueeee_ added, “Lord we are patiently waiting you to show this man that you are bigger than it all 🤞🏾🙌🏾”
While Instagram user @rozaymylanofficial commented, “Midterms yall we must show up !!!!“
And, Instagram user @_visionsbyporter questioned, “The Obamas really stay on his mind huh?“
Lastly, Instagram user @calzne shared, “Not surprised at all. During black history month too…“
