A recent social media post by Donald Trump, featuring a depiction of former President Barack Obama and Michelle Obama as primates, has ignited significant public and political reaction. The post, shared on Truth Social, was later deleted following widespread criticism. This event has brought renewed attention to Trump's online communication practices and the responses from various political figures.

Circumstances of the Post
The post in question, shared on Truth Social, displayed an image of the Obamas depicted as apes. This imagery drew immediate condemnation from various individuals and groups.

The post appeared on Thursday night and gained wider notice as the days progressed.
Senator Tim Scott, the sole Black Republican in the U.S. Senate, called for Trump to remove the post.
The Obama Foundation later shared a video highlighting the Obamas' positive messages about relationships and shared values.
Public and Political Reactions
The imagery in Trump's post led to a swift and broad wave of criticism.
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Republicans and Democrats alike criticized the video as offensive.
Senator Pete Ricketts of Nebraska also commented on the post via X.
Public figures and a variety of individuals, including those attending a Black History Month market, expressed dismay. Jacklyn Monk, a vendor, described the post as embarrassing.
Trump's Response and Post-Deletion Statements
Following the backlash, the post was removed. However, Trump's own statements regarding the incident have added to the discourse.

When questioned by reporters on Air Force One, Trump stated the video pertained to "fraudulent elections" and that he "liked what he saw."
Reports indicate that Trump maintained he had "not made a mistake" and would not apologize for the post.
Earlier in his political career, Trump had propagated unfounded claims suggesting Obama was not born in the United States, questioning his eligibility for the presidency.
Platform and Origin of Content
The post originated on Truth Social, a platform where Trump is a frequent user. The specific video clip appears to have a watermark from an account known for supporting Trump.
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The video showed Obama being arrested and jailed, in addition to the primate imagery.
The watermark indicated the content originated from an X user named @XERIAS_X, who has a significant following.
This instance is not the first time Trump's social media content has been a source of controversy.
Analysis of Online Content
The nature and impact of Trump's online posts, particularly on Truth Social, have been a subject of ongoing discussion.
Some analyses suggest Trump's online feed can be "bleak" and convey a sense of national decline.
There have been instances where Trump's posts have been described as "vulgar" or even containing calls for the death of perceived enemies, particularly following indictments.
The frequency and tone of these posts have led to concerns from some, including suggestions from commentators that his campaign staff and family should encourage less social media usage.
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== Key takeaways:
Donald Trump shared a social media post depicting the Obamas as primates.
The post faced strong backlash from both political parties and key Republican figures.
The post was eventually deleted, though Trump indicated he did not believe he made a mistake.
The content's origin and Trump's justifications for sharing it have been points of focus. ==
Sources
Fox News: Trump deletes 'racist' post after wave of Republican backlash, White House says he didn't know
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/trump-deletes-racist-post-wave-republican-backlash-white-house-says-he-didnt-know
AP News: Trump's racist post about Obamas is deleted after backlash despite White House earlier defending it
https://apnews.com/article/trump-obama-racist-video-a48a6b8884a88f9ec30cd4913e352b51
Newsweek: Trump condemned over post depicting Obamas as apes: "Racist and disgusting"
https://www.newsweek.com/donald-trump-obama-ape-post-truth-social-11475217
USA Today: Obamas, silent on racist Trump ape post, cheer on US Olympic team
https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2026/02/07/obama-olympics-trump-truth-social-racism/88564503007/
CTV News: ‘I didn’t make a mistake’: Trump says he won’t apologize for racist post about Obamas
https://www.ctvnews.ca/world/article/i-didnt-make-a-mistake-trump-says-he-wont-apologize-for-racist-post-about-obamas/
The New Republic: Trump Goes on Crazed, Violent Rant Calling for Death of His Enemies
https://newrepublic.com/post/185393/trump-fascist-violent-posts-truth-social-death-enemies
The Atlantic: The Trump Posts You Probably Aren’t Seeing
https://www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2024/09/trump-truth-social-posts/680003/
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